The Gospel started with the Jews, then spread to the Gentiles
The Gentiles were not required to follow the Jewish law. But some men arrived at the Antioch church from Judea, teaching that following the law was essential for salvation.
So the Church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to ask the apostles.
The disciples debated the matter, and determined that God had granted Salvation and the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles through faith, without the law.
The Gentiles should not be yolked with obligations that not even the Jews could handle.
James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem, allowed the believing Pharisees to speak, then Peter, then Paul and Barnabas.
Then he considered how each aligned with the scriptures, and then presented his judgement.
The only obligations that the Gentiles should observe are:
1. Abstain from things made impure by idols
2. Abstain from eating blood
3. Abstain from strangles things
4. Abstain from sexual immorality.
These requirements allowed the Gentiles not to be abhorrent to the Jews, because for many generations the Jews had followed these rules.
The apostles sent Judas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch with a letter with these requirements.
This Jerusalem decree declared once and for all that we are saved by grace alone, not by trying to keep the law.
Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already.
God has given us a gift – Jesus Christ, His Son. This gift of grace is for whoever believes in Him.
All you need to do is accept this free gift of grace.
If you don’t accept it, you can’t complain about the consequences.
If you confess freely that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
English 
Português