Acts 15:19-21

ACTS—NOTE ON Acts 15:19 James agreed with Peter that they should not trouble the Gentiles with the ritual laws. But he knew that Gentile Christians would have contact with Jewish Christians who still kept the ceremonial law. He offered a proposal by which Gentile Christians could have fellowship with Jewish Christians and avoid giving unnecessary offense. The first three requirements (see v. Acts 15:29) seem to be culturally sensitive and designed for these specific circumstances: staying away from food offered to idols, from blood (meat with the blood in it), and from strangled meat (which would also have blood in it). (But see 1 Corinthians 8:1.) The fourth requirement, dealing with sexual immorality, was not a contextual or optional standard of obedience like the other three. It may have needed special emphasis because many Gentiles did not hold to a high standard of sexual purity. This also serves as a reminder that the moral standards of the OT still need to be obeyed. James concludes his appeal by noting the widespread (in every city) teaching and acceptance of the Mosaic law. There was no need to give unnecessary offense either to Jewish believers or to unbelieving Jews who might consider becoming Christians in the future.