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Acts 15

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

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.

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

What does Acts 15:20 mean?

Explanation

Acts 15:20 is part of a critical passage of the New Testament that addresses the issue of how Gentile converts to Christianity should observe the laws of Moses.

This verse reflects the Apostolic Decree, the conclusion reached by the Jerusalem Council attended by key figures such as Peter, Paul, and James.

The verse outlines specific things that Gentile believers should abstain from: "pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood."

The literal meaning of the verse focuses on four prohibitions that were thought to promote holiness and distinguish the practices of the new Gentile Christians from pagan customs.

The deeper meaning is related to the struggle within the early Church to define its identity in relation to Jewish laws and customs, seeking to create a unified community without burdening non-Jewish believers with the full extent of Jewish law.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

During the time of the early church, there was debate over whether or not Gentile converts had to adhere to Jewish customs and laws, including circumcision and dietary laws.

The Jerusalem Council, which is described in Acts 15, was convened to address this contentious issue that threatened to divide the fledgling Christian community.

The decision, as recorded by Luke in the book of Acts, was a compromise: Gentiles would not have to follow all aspects of the Jewish Law but would have to keep certain restrictions that would facilitate fellowship with their Jewish brothers and sisters and avoid the most egregious offenses to Jewish custom.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Acts 15:20 signifies an early church recognizing the importance of both unity and diversity within the body of Christ.

Some theologians might argue that the injunctions symbolize the minimal ethical and ritual requirements for a life that would be pleasing to God for Gentiles.

Others see the decree as a radical simplification of the Law, defining Christian living less in terms of ritual requirements and more in ethical and spiritual practice, showing that faith in Christ supersedes the law.

This aligns with the Pauline view of salvation through grace rather than works of the Law.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse highlights the importance of sensitivity to cultural and religious differences within the Christian community.

It suggests that while personal freedom in Christ is important, believers should also consider the impact of their actions on the consciences of others, especially in a diverse community.

Abstaining from certain practices out of love and respect for others can be an act of Christian witness and unity.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 8:4-13: Discussion about food sacrificed to idols and the Christian's responsibility not to cause others to stumble.
Revelation 2:14: A warning against eating food sacrificed to idols and practicing sexual immorality.
Genesis 9:4: This is the earliest prohibition against eating blood found in the Bible.

Language Study

"Pollutions of idols" (Greek: "alisgématos eidólōn") refers to things contaminated by idols, likely food offered to idols.
"Fornication" (Greek: "porneias") refers to sexual immorality of any kind.
"Strangled" (Greek: "pniktón") refers to animals that have not been properly bled out, which connects to the following prohibition against consuming blood.
"Blood" (Greek: "haimatos") likely refers to the consumption of blood, which was prohibited under Jewish dietary law and seen as retaining the life of the creature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The abstention from blood and food related to idol worship bears similarity to Jewish dietary laws.

In other ancient religions, consuming blood and the meat of strangled animals were also taboo in various cultures, underscoring themes of life force and the sacredness of blood.

Scientific Perspectives

Despite the ancient setting, modern nutrition and public health recognize that the handling and consumption of blood can pose health risks, including the transmission of diseases from animals to humans.

The prohibition against things strangled could be seen as an early form of concern with humane slaughter methods which ensure proper bleeding, a practice that can reduce the transmission of certain pathogens.

Commentaries

Commentators provide multidimensional perspectives on Acts 15:20:

John Stott notes that the stipulations given to the Gentiles mirrored the requirements that resident aliens in Israel had to observe, pointing to the unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
F.F.

Bruce emphasizes that these stipulations were socially and morally essential for the mixed communities of Jewish and Gentile believers.

Matthew Henry views the passage as a gesture to avoid offending the Jews and as a guard against Gentiles relapsing into paganism.
N.T.

Wright suggests that these requirements functions to maintain fellowship between Jewish and Gentile Christians, ensuring the latter did not live in a way offensive to the former.

Acts 15

Acts 15

What does Acts 15:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 15:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?