What does Acts 15:29 mean?

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Acts 15:29

Explanation

The verse from Acts 15:29 is part of a letter sent from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. It advises them to abstain from certain practices that were common among pagans but were problematic for Jewish Christians. The instructions were a compromise aimed at promoting unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the early church.

The abstentions mentioned in the verse include:

• Meats offered to idols: Food that had been sacrificed to pagan gods, which might lead to participating in idolatry.
• Blood: Eating or drinking blood, which was prohibited in Jewish law and considered life itself.
• Things strangled: Eating meat from animals that had not been properly killed by letting blood out, as Jewish law required draining of blood.
• Fornication: Engaging in sexual immorality, which was viewed as a moral issue transcending cultural boundaries.

The exhortation to abstain from these practices suggests a deeper meaning of spiritual purity and moral conduct consistent with the new faith in Christ. The phrase “from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well” indicates that adhering to these guidelines was perceived as beneficial for the spiritual welfare of the believers.

Historical Context

Acts 15:29 is situated within The Council of Jerusalem, a crucial event in the early Christian movement around AD 50. This council was convened to address the controversy over whether Gentile converts to Christianity were required to be circumcised and obey Mosaic Law.

The decision, articulated in the letter from which this verse is extracted, reflects a compromise that permitted Gentiles to join the church without full adherence to Jewish ceremonial laws while respecting Jewish cultural sensitivities. It represents a pivotal moment in Christianity’s transition from a Jewish sect to an inclusive faith that could cross cultural and ethnic boundaries.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Acts 15:29 showcases early Christianity’s effort to define the essentials of faith in light of Jesus’ teachings. The apostolic decree managed to both uphold the moral and ethical standards of the Jewish tradition and make the faith accessible to non-Jews.

Theologically, this verse implies that salvation does not come from the observance of the law but rather through the grace of Jesus Christ. Yet, at the same time, moral and ethical conduct is crucial to the Christian witness and community life.

Practical Applications

In a modern context, the verse can be interpreted as guidance on maintaining one’s spiritual integrity and witness while living in a society with values that may conflict with Christian ethics. The principles of avoiding things associated with idolatry, respecting life, and practicing sexual purity are applicable today.

The verse encourages believers to be discerning and to avoid practices that could compromise their faith or lead others astray. For contemporary Christians, this might translate into thoughtful engagement with popular culture, ethical consumption, and personal moral choices.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 10:20-21: “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:18: “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
• Leviticus 17:10-12: Talks about the prohibition of eating blood.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek language of this verse include:

• “εἰδωλόθυτος” (eidōlothutos): Translated as “meats offered to idols”, refers to meat sacrificed to pagan gods.
• “πνικτός” (pniktos): Translated as “things strangled”, referring to animals not killed by draining their blood.
• “πορνεία” (porneia): Translated as “fornication”, encompasses a broad range of sexual immorality.

Each of these words carries significant moral and ceremonial connotations from the Jewish perspective and indicates practices that were to be avoided by the early Christian communities.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other religious practices of the time, the early Christian church was defining its position between the strict Jewish traditions and the more permissive pagan rituals. These instructions in Acts 15:29 can be seen as an attempt to forge a distinct identity for Christianity within the religious milieu of the first century.

This directive resonated with the broader Hellenistic culture’s ethical philosophy, which also often advocated for moderation and self-control especially in contrast to the perceived excesses in pagan worship.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the prohibition of eating blood and consumption of meat from animals that were strangled can be connected to public health concerns. Eating such meats without proper preparation could lead to health risks. Modern food safety practices align with the stipulation in this verse to drain blood from meat.

There are no direct scientific perspectives on the prohibitions against meats offered to idols and fornication, as these are more related to religious, ethical, and moral beliefs than to empirical science.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have various interpretations of Acts 15:29. Commentaries often focus on how the apostles used wisdom to handle the early church’s ethnic and cultural diversity. Scholars like F.F. Bruce emphasize the significance of the Jerusalem Council in preserving the unity of the church without compromising the essentials of the gospel.

Others, such as John Stott, reflect on the balance between freedom and responsibility in the Christian life as outlined by these instructions. The view that faith is accompanied by ethical living is predominantly highlighted, believing the decree helped to establish ethical guidelines that were not burdensome but were grounded in love for God and neighbor.