Reading for May 16th

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 of our 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 Gentiles as "saved" (on his name see also 2.21; 15.170 or "God's people."
In verses 16-17: The citation from Amos 9.11-12 is another prophet 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 verses 19-20 James' solemn declaration is rehearsed with variations in 15.29 and 21.5.
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 15.29 and 21.25 the issue is more narrowly sacrifices to idols (1 Cor 8-10).
Fornication probably meant 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 it blood, which is to be poured out to God (Lev 17.10-13).
In verses 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.
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