In all the excitement of the Book of Acts, we sometimes need to apply the brakes on the narrative rather than accelerating through significant moments onto the thrilling spectacles of signs, wonders, healings, and miracles.

A case in point is Acts 15, where, upon realising that the Gentiles were also privy to the greatest opportunity in history (the Gospel), the apostles, headed up by James quickly form a ‘constitution’. With a determined sense of unity and clarity, they roll out their expectations for the Christian Gentiles: “…abstain from the things polluted by Idols, and from Sexual Immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.” Acts 15:20 (ESV).

The message was clear: stay away from things tied to idols, Sexual immorality, strangled animals, and blood. They didn’t delve into all the extras—no discussion about festivals, fasting, tithing, or sacrifices. It’s as though they were saying, “Let’s keep it simple and focus on what truly matters.”

This moment in the early church’s history is not just a theological crossroads; it is a profound demonstration of the church grappling with its identity and mission amidst diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. We would be remiss to assume that because our culture is different today, this is not a concern.

What’s required of us?

The early Christian community was wrestling with a significant question: What requirements should be placed upon Gentile believers turning to God? Up until this point, Christianity had been seen largely as a sect within Judaism, with many believing that Gentile converts should adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision. Painful! However, leaders like Peter, Paul, and Barnabas had witnessed the Holy Spirit’s work among Gentiles apart from the law of Moses. The ‘council’ in Acts 15 convened to address this very issue, and the outcome is of importance to us.

Sending a letter with the instructions found in Acts 15:20, rather than an apostle having to make a visit, reflects deep pastoral and theological wisdom. The issue was clear and unambiguous enough. It didn’t warrant a visit – just read the letter! These instructions mirror their understanding and the simplicity of the gospel. In God’s wisdom, James identified for the early Christians the answer to the question, “We’ve come to trust, follow, and obey Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour – what do you want us to do?”

Full penal substitutionary atonement

The answer was straightforward. Have an understanding of full penal substitutionary atonement, fast often, tithe, read your Bible, and witness to someone every day… after you have been baptised, become a church member, and had communion. Not at all! Whatever theological understanding the new followers of Christ had, it came with the expectation that they were being made disciples of Christ. There are many things we learn to live and experience as we grow in Christ, but for us, as for them, some elements are essential to understand more fully, “help us on our way.”

Idols have no place

Our culture is different, yet the shadows remain the same. First on the list for the Gentile believers was to abstain from things polluted by idols. This might not seem a significant challenge today, but idolatry was pervasive in the ancient world, and food offered to idols was a common practice. Abstaining from such practices was a call to purity and devotion to the one true God, distinguishing Christian behaviour from pagan practices. This would be a topic the Apostle Paul would address in his writings.

James talks about things—the stuff of life—polluted not by age or misuse but by idols. These idols, false gods, were a vulgar reflection of everything the true God represented. They offered no hope, comfort, assistance, promise, or intervention, yet the demand for attention and crushing service was unbearable.

21st Century idols

But what of us? How does this relate to us? The answer is that it’s a call to firmly reject the idols of our age—including not only the material and visible but also the ideologies and narratives that distort and undermine the paramount sanctity of our calling in Christ. Our cultural idols, including self, money, sex, and power, are different, and seeing them for what they are may be a challenge; nevertheless, our call is to be vigilant against the worship of self, the elevation of personal desires above God’s very clear instructions in the Word, and to avoid the temptation to conform to cultural norms that conflict with Biblical truth—perhaps even being awake to ‘woke’ concerns!

Roadkill?

I’m going to jump to the third instruction given by the apostles, as I want to emphasise something really important about the second one later, rather than distract you with this instruction, which was to abstain from what has been strangled and from blood. In context, these practices were associated with pagan rituals and also violated Jewish dietary laws; it would help maintain a sense of community identity and respect between Jewish and Gentile believers.

The apostles were keen to promote unity; no one would be tripping up over the behaviour of another. It’s clear that it’s a call for us to champion the cause of life and stewardship of creation, acknowledging the gift of life in all its forms as sacred. Moses was clearly instructed about this: life was in the blood, and if God would never accept a sacrifice that had been strangled, then it certainly should never be something on the dining table. Something strangled for food was intentional cruelty; even as repulsive as it is, ‘roadkill’ would have more value!

In the shadows

I left sexual immorality until last because, although it does not “thunder” at us any louder than the other two instructions, it continues to be a megaphone proclamation to the church: Abstain, avoid, run away from sexual immorality. It is a sword upon which many have fallen. The Greek word used here is “porneia,” broadly referring to unlawful sexual relations. We know it better in its more vulgar term, “pornography.” It’s an instruction that reinforces the Christian commitment to holiness and the sanctity of the marital relationship. Anyone feeling sexual temptation today must realise that it’s nothing new—the apostles had identified it as a problem as they wrote these three simple instructions or admonitions. But then, God made it clear to Moses and the people of God—do not commit adultery; don’t covet your neighbour’s spouse!

There were many other safeguards in the law too—leave the virgins alone, leave your father’s spouse out of it, etc. It seems that humankind, almost from the beginning, was obsessed with sex. We are not told what particular sexual immorality is being referred to, but the individual involved would know—and the message was simple: Stop! And stop it as it happens! James 1:12-14 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But… each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire… Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.”

The terrible snare

Too many Christian leaders have fallen into this snare; don’t let it be you! It is a great shame to say that today there are well-known names that have fallen into the most wretched sexual immorality. Perhaps we should not say, “the most wretched sexual immorality,” as all of it, no matter what it is, is wretched. It damages lives, marriages, relationships, churches, and is a death knell to ministries, no matter which ‘superstar ministry’ is overseeing restoration.

If you find yourself saying “guilty,” then know that if you repent, there is forgiveness, and God’s capacity to forgive is greater than your capacity to sin. That is not the issue, though; you need to deal with your sin, and that may very well mean talking to someone, being painfully honest so that you can be prayed for and comforted. It’s worth it—and it’s likely the only way forward. You’ll be astonished at how much grace, forgiveness, and love is available.

The path of righteousness demands our full obedience and unwavering dedication. It is not always easy, and it often requires us to swim against the current of popular culture. Yet, we are not alone in this journey; the Holy Spirit empowers us, and the community of believers stands with us.