Soglio

Soglio
Village of Soglio Hiking in the Swiss Alps - John 6:3    And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Acts 15 and 21 ....abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

It's remarkable how many times this conclusion is repeated. 


First the concern of what is required is raised v15:1-2, with no small discussion.

This was before the apostles and elders v5-6.

Peter and James review the history v7-18.

Then James passes sentence v19-20, they ll agree v22, the exhortation is either repeated or referred to five times altogether, as written, read, spoken by Paul and Barnabas or Judas and Silas.

And James again in verse 21:7.

Clearly this was a strong message to the church.

If you look up these four words in the balance of the New Testament letters, you see Blood is given the highest honor and reverence.

1Pe 1:19    But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:


Fornication is repeatedly condemned.

Rev 2:14    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.


Rev 2:20    Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Rev 2:21    And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.


Jud 1:7    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.


Eph 5:3    But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;


Sacrifices to idols are also often mentioned, even in two of the churches in Revelation 2.

G1494

εἰδωλόθυτον

eidōlothuton

Total KJV Occurrences: 23

idols, 9

Act 15:29Act 21:251Co 8:11Co 8:41Co 8:101Co 10:191Co 10:28Rev 2:14Rev 2:20

offered, 8

Act 15:29Act 21:251Co 8:11Co 8:41Co 8:71Co 8:101Co 10:191Co 10:28

sacrifice, 3

1Co 8:41Co 10:191Co 10:28

sacrificed, 2

Rev 2:14Rev 2:20

idol, 1

1Co 8:7


But strangled meat is mentioned only here. I don't think that it was not a concern, and likely was wrapped up in the prohibitions, of blood and sacrifice to idols.

Here is the text.

Acts 15

King James Version (KJV)

15:1 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.


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.


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

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

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

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

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

29 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.

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

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

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

This is also confirmed in Acts 21:25

Act 21:25    As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.


Please write your Comments here!: