Read Acts 15.12-21.In verse 12: The signs and wonders confirm divine activity (2.43; 5.12; 8.6-7). In verse 13: James, "the brother or the Lord," emerges as the leader of the Jerusalem church (1.14; 12.17; 21.18; 1 Cor 15.7; Gal 1.19; 2.9, 12). In verse 14; The phrase a people for his name extends the meaning of the word "people," which is usually reserved for Israel and includes the Gentiles as "saved"(on his name, see also 2.12; 15.17) or "God's people." In verses 16-17: The citation from Amos 9.11-12 is another prophetic witness to God's long-standing intention for Israel's restoration to be a blessing to the Gentiles (1.6-8; Isa 49.6; Acts 3.25; Gen 12.3). In verse 19-20: James' solemn declaration is rehearsed with variations in 15.29 and 21.25. The edict requires no practices but only abstaining from things that were probably regarded as most offensive by Jewish Christians. Things polluted by idols could be far-reaching since the whole empire was full of religious practices and images (Acts 17.16), but in 15.29 and 21.25 the issue is more narrowly sacrifices to idols (1 Cor 8-10). Fornication probably means all sexual impurity, but Jewish tradition also made a close link with idolatry (Wis 14.12). Things strangled and blood are probably allusions to Jewish convictions that the life of a creature is in its blood, which is to be poured out to God (Lev 17.10-13). In verse 21: The point seems to be that Jews, proselytes, and gentiles everywhere will recognize "these essentials" as appropriate (v. 28), without making circumcision a requirement for salvation. Comments or Questions..
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