Acts 15:20 – “Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.”

Extended Explanation

This verse is part of James’ conclusion at the Jerusalem Council, where early church leaders were deciding whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish laws to be saved. James had just stated in Acts 15:19 that they should not make it difficult for Gentiles who are turning to God. However, in this verse, he explains that Gentile Christians should still follow certain guidelines.

James outlines four things that Gentile believers should avoid:

1. Food polluted by idols – Meat that had been sacrificed to idols in pagan temples.
2. Sexual immorality – Any form of unlawful sexual behavior, including practices common in pagan worship.
3. The meat of strangled animals – Animals killed in ways that left blood in the body.
4. Blood – The consumption of blood, which was forbidden in Jewish law (Leviticus 17:10-12).

These instructions were not requirements for salvation but guidelines for living in harmony with Jewish believers. Since many Jewish Christians still followed the Old Testament dietary laws, these practices would have been highly offensive. James was asking Gentile Christians to show respect for their Jewish brothers and sisters.

Historical Context

The early church was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers. Jewish Christians had been raised under the Law of Moses, which included strict dietary laws and moral standards. Many Gentile believers, on the other hand, came from pagan backgrounds where idol worship and sexual immorality were common.

A major debate arose: Should Gentiles be required to follow Jewish customs to be saved? Some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. But Peter, Paul, and Barnabas argued that God had already accepted the Gentiles by faith alone.

At the Jerusalem Council, the leaders decided that Gentiles did not have to follow the Jewish law to be saved. However, they asked them to abstain from certain practices that would cause unnecessary offense to Jewish believers.

This decision was not about enforcing the Law of Moses but about maintaining unity in the church. It was a practical guideline to help Jewish and Gentile Christians live together peacefully.

Theological Implications

1. Salvation is by Faith, Not by the Law – The council made it clear that Gentiles did not need to follow the Law of Moses to be saved (Acts 15:11).
2. Christian Freedom Must Be Used with Love – Even though Gentile Christians were not under the Jewish law, they were asked to avoid certain things for the sake of unity (1 Corinthians 8:9).
3. Respect for Cultural Differences – The early church recognized that different backgrounds and traditions could cause conflict, so they encouraged believers to be considerate of one another (Romans 14:19-21).
4. Holiness in Christian Living – Avoiding idolatry and sexual immorality was not just about keeping peace with Jewish Christians but also about living in a way that honored God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

Literary Analysis

Acts 15:20 is a carefully structured statement with four specific prohibitions. The wording reflects Old Testament laws, especially concerning food and idolatry.

• “We should write to them” – This emphasizes that these instructions were official and meant to be shared with all Gentile believers.
• “Abstain from food polluted by idols” – Idolatry was a major issue in the early church, and eating food sacrificed to idols could be seen as participating in false worship (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).
• “From sexual immorality” – In the pagan world, many religious ceremonies involved immoral sexual acts. Christian morality was distinct and required believers to be set apart.
• “From the meat of strangled animals and from blood” – These were Jewish dietary laws based on the belief that life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). By following these guidelines, Gentiles would avoid offending Jewish believers.

This verse serves as a practical solution to a theological issue, balancing Christian freedom with a call to love and respect others.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Leviticus 17:10-12 – The Old Testament prohibition against eating blood.
• 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 – Paul explains that even though eating food sacrificed to idols is not a sin in itself, it should be avoided if it causes others to stumble.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – A clear command for believers to avoid sexual immorality.
• Romans 14:19-21 – A call to live in peace and not cause others to stumble over personal freedoms.
• Galatians 5:13 – A reminder that Christian freedom should be used to serve one another in love.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse teaches us that, as Christians, our freedom should be guided by love and respect for others. Even if something is not sinful, we should be careful not to do things that might cause others to stumble.

For example, while certain behaviors may not be explicitly forbidden, they can still be harmful in certain settings. If something causes division or leads others into temptation, it may be best to avoid it.

This passage also reminds us that living a holy life matters. Avoiding sexual immorality and idolatry is just as important today as it was in the first century. Our lives should reflect God’s standards, not the world’s.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the way He desires unity among His people. He does not want unnecessary barriers between believers. This verse shows that God cares about relationships in the church and wants His people to live in peace with one another.

It also shows His concern for holiness. God calls His people to be set apart from the world, avoiding sin and living in a way that honors Him. His love is not just about acceptance—it is about transformation.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus Fulfilled the Law – Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Gentiles were not required to follow the Jewish law to be saved (Matthew 5:17).
• Jesus Calls His Followers to Holiness – Avoiding sexual immorality and idolatry is part of following Jesus and being set apart for God’s purposes (1 Peter 1:15-16).
• Jesus Prayed for Unity in the Church – In John 17:20-23, Jesus prayed that His followers would be united, just as the Jerusalem Council sought to maintain unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
• Jesus Frees Us to Love Others – Christian freedom is not about doing whatever we want but about serving others in love (Galatians 5:13).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does this verse teach us about balancing Christian freedom with love for others?
2. Are there areas in your life where you might be putting unnecessary barriers in front of others?
3. How can we apply the principle of avoiding stumbling blocks in today’s world?
4. What does this passage teach us about holiness and moral purity?
5. How can we promote unity in the church while still standing firm in biblical truth?

Acts 15:20 reminds us that Christian living is not just about personal freedom—it is about love, respect, and holiness. While we are free in Christ, we are also called to consider how our actions affect others and to live in a way that reflects God’s character.