Acts 15:27-29 27Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28For it has seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29to abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and blood, and what has been strangled, and sexual immorality; by keepiung yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
The letter from the council continues with introducing the delegates, Judas and Silas. As directed in the law (Deuteronomy 19:15) and practiced by the Jews, two witnesses would confirm the truth of what was said and add validity to the decision made in Jerusalem. These two brothers would likely not be known by the churches in the north, but both were important leaders in Jerusalem, which implies that the council saw the importance of uniting the church around one clear doctrine. The truth of the gospel could not be compromised by legalism that separated Jews from Gentiles.
Verse 28 begins to get to the heart of the matter and the primary focus of the letter. The mention of the Holy Spirit indicates that the council prayed and sought God’s leading in this situation. They did not act arbitrarily or by human thinking. They came to a decision led by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. How they determined that is not stated, but the Holy Spirit brings unity with conviction. The council had to agree with the direction they felt the Holy Spirit was showing them. The divine-human synergism of God’s sovereign grace and human response of faith and obedience is clear as the council decided what to do with the Gentiles.
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
The agreed prohibition is given in verse 29. To abstain (apechesthai) means to keep away from something or avoid contact and participation. The challenge for many Gentiles with anything associated idols is that they could be reminded of their old life and be tempted to fall back into it. Paul clearly argued in 1 Corinthians 8 that some people have weak consciences that can be violated and fall back into sin by seeing others eat food sacrificed to idols. Even though idols are only human-made objects, The best option is to stay completely away from anything associated with them. Staying away from blood indicates the reverence for life that the Jews had. Every life was precious, even animals. Their lives should not be wasted but used in ways God allows, such as for food. Avoiding strangled animals used for food also shows this reverence that was long in Israel’s history. Living in holiness required believers to avoid sexual immorality and to honor marriage as between one man and one woman until death.
Several of these points may seem irrelevant to life today, but they connected Gentiles to God’s will for Israel about honoring him, honoring life, and honoring relationships. Many problems back then and today could be resolved and avoided by following the intent of these instructions.