Acts 15 addresses the rising dispute among the newly converted Jews regarding whether following the old customs and traditions were required, including circumcision. In a meeting of the apostles and elders, Peter said "God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit.. He cleansed their hearts through faith. Why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved ... by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus." James also spoke before the leaders, quoting prophesy from the old testament book of Amos, "... so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles--all those I have called to be mine. " The apostles and elders demonstrated that preserving unity in the body of Christ is important, and that false teaching or divisive issues should be thoroughly addressed without delay. The leadership of churches are called to shepherd the body in a protective manner (from inappropriate burdens of false teaching) and in a loving/caring manner ( v.36 "let us go back again to each city where we previously preached, to see how the new believers are doing").