Les Feldick Bible Study

Do the Jerusalem council's prohibitions about idols, fornication, strangled things, and blood still apply today?

Yes. The prohibitions against pollutions of idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood still hold true today. God has never given the human race permission to do any of these things, and they remain anathema to Him. The apostolic decision therefore continues to apply, not as temporary restrictions.

Les explains that James, the moderator of the conference (not Peter, and likely not the James of the Twelve), rendered the decision that Gentiles turned to God should not be troubled, yet they were to abstain from pollutions of idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood. Les emphasizes that it is amazing these things were repeated; on the other hand, it is not, because these things still hold true today. God still has never given the human race permission to do any of these things. They are still anathema to Him.