15:19
James therefore draws the conclusion that they should not add any extra burdens onto the Gentile converts. God has quite clearly shown that He has accepted them, and this is in accordance with the Scriptures right from the beginning. So we see three things that have played their part in this decision:
- The clear witness of Scripture
- The clear and visible work of the Holy Spirit
- The recognition that the Jews themselves were sinners in need of grace.
These are good principles that we can apply to many decisions that the church needs to make from time to time. If something is against Scripture, then it is not of God. If God is clearly doing something that is a good sign. We also need to be constantly aware that we are recipients of grace. If we start thinking that we are accepted in our own right then our thinking will quickly go askew.
15:20,21
So the general principle was clear, but there were also some practical steps added as well. The Gentile converts would probably want to follow at least most of these things anyway, but it was important to demonstrate to the Judaisers that they were not abandoning God’s ways of living. Hence the instruction to abstain from sexual immorality. This might seem an obvious thing to some of us, but we need to remember how rife sexual immorality was in the Graeco-Roman world. It is also directly applicable today, when sexual immorality and confusion is all pervasive in our society. Avoiding idols is clearly important, but the practical application of this was to cause questions later on, as shown by the sections in 1 Corinthians 8, and Romans 14. Abstaining from food strangled or containing blood is in keeping with the Law, but it is harder to see its relevance for the Gentiles. It was probably given as a compromise. Verse 21 perhaps explains the last injunction, for they would have heard the law read and would know what it said. So not eating certain food containing blood would help with their conscience.
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