Act 15:20-21 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.
And while it is true circumcision was an issue, it is clear from Paul's harsh exchange with Peter that much more was entailed. Consider this passage:
Gal 2:11-12 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. (12) For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Notice here this issue is eating with the Gentiles. Peter was fine with it because, as AA has rightly pointed out, he understood the dietary laws to be suspended. It was only when the Judaizers showed up that he backed out of his eating with Gentiles, and other Jews in the local congregation followed his lead, much to their spiritual harm. So it cannot be argued that dietary rules were not an issue here, which is further confirmed here:
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Notice here there is no fine distinction made between the false excesses of man-made rules of the Pharisees versus the legitimately Mosaic laws of diet, festivals, etc. No, it is all lumped together. Peter is found out by Paul to be a hypocrite here, because he really believes he is free in Christ to "live after the manner of Gentiles," whilst he binds gentile believers to "live as do the Jews."
Paul is clear here. Peter knows better. This isn't just about circumcision, or the "false worship" of the Pharisees. This is about the nature of Christian justification, our legal acquittal before God, by which we transition form being hell-bound convicts to heirs in Christ of God's most amazing mercy and blessing, forgiven. That change of status is not ever the result, in a causal sense, of compliance with the law, but is based directly on faith in, belief in Jesus Christ:
Gal 2:15-16 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, (16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Note Paul's positioning of himself and Peter, such that even though they were Jews by nature, not even they could be justified by the law, but could only be justified by faith in Christ. The broader point being that it makes no sense to hold the Gentiles in bondage to a system that cannot save, especially when they already have a Savior Who CAN save.
There is more to say, but it's late, and I must go to bed.
Peace,
SR
>> “Second, to let the Gentiles know they could have full access to the blessings of Christian faith without having to adopt everything they might hear preached in the synagogues” <<
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Then why did they tell them to hear Moses preached every Sabbath day in their synagogue?
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Ye of the church of Sardis are on a thin thread!
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