Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: (23) And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. (24) Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: (25) It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (26) Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (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. (33) And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. (34) Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. (35) Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Though the purport of this Apostolic Epistle is as plain as words can be rendered; yet I think it necessary to detain the Reader with a short observation, to avoid any misapprehension. This letter from the holy College, it should be remembered, was sent, to settle the main point in question, respecting Circumcision, By the full decision of the Apostles and Elders, and the whole Church, assembled for that purpose, under God the Holy Ghost; (Acts 15:28) this Jewish rite was now forever done away. But, lest the Gentile Church should abuse this Christian liberty; or the Jewish Church should be tempted to conceive, a total freedom from all restrictions whatever, was included; the Apostles declared, that while that Jewish rite of circumcision was removed, the abstinence from those idolatrous customs to which the Gentiles, before their conversion to God were accustomed, must be, fully observed. And, I would beg to make another observation, respecting the several things, which are four in number, here brought together. The eating meats offered to idols, and blood, and things strangled, are classed with fornication; but this doth not imply as though these things were equally sinful. The former ceased when idolatry ceased, which at conversion, when the work was of God, and the sinner truly regenerated; took place. But the latter, namely, fornication, is, and will be, of everlasting obligation to abstain from, as long as the world remains; and the holy estate of God's ordinance in marriage, (which is a type of Christ's marriage with his Church), shall continue.
Reader! how blessedly the Gospel enforceth everything that is lovely, in an holiness of life and conversation, and brings with it to every renewed soul, grace and strength from God the Spirit, to perform it; while teaching at the same time, that it is grace we are saved through faith, and not by the deeds of the law. Blessedly indeed is it said, that through the Spirit alone it is, that we can mortify the deeds of the flesh, and live, Romans 8:13. Oh! thou Spirit of holiness! create in thy people new hearts, and new minds, by thy continual renewings, Put forth the efficacy of Christ's blood, upon all whom thou hast called with an holy calling, to purge the conscience, and daily, hourly, to wash away everything that is unholy, and unclean, in our lives and conversation. Oh! for the renewings of the Holy Ghost, to be shed upon the whole redeemed family abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Titus 3:5-6.