15:19
James therefore recommends that they do not pout any extra burdens on the Gentiles. As churches there are two things we must do. We must hold to clear Biblical standards, but we must not put unnecessary burdens on people, which serve only to make it more difficult for people to come to Christ.
15:20,21
At the same time, James was mindful of the Jewish churches in Israel, and the Jewish believers across Europe and Asia Minor. So they would write to the Gentile churches “telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, and from meat of strangled animals and from blood”. The Law of Moses would be read in every synagogue, and it was important that this was not seen to be put into disrepute. The issue of eating food offered to idols comes up again in Paul’s letters to the Romans and Corinthians.
15:22
The apostles and elders decided to send two highly respected men, Judas Barsabbas and Silas, to go with Paul and Barnabbas. This would demonstrate that the decision reached had the full support of the Jerusalem church. Silas would become a vital co-worker with Paul.
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