What four things did the Jerusalem church's letter tell Gentile believers to abstain from?
The Jerusalem church's written agreement instructed Gentile believers to abstain from four things: meat offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and fornication. This letter, sent to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, confirmed they were not required to keep the Law or practice circumcision, but these things were still fundamental.
Les explains that the Jerusalem church, with the apostles and elders, sent chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They wrote a letter confirming that Gentile converts were no longer going to be forced to keep the Law and practice circumcision. The written agreement instructed them to abstain from meat offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and fornication, and if they kept themselves from these they would do well. Les points back to Leviticus chapters 17 and 18 as the source of these instructions. He notes that even though these things were part of the Law, God could sanction their continuing alongside the Gospel of Grace. Les firmly believes that while we are under Grace, not Law, God still holds us accountable for not doing these things. He also observes that Satan worship often begins with such practices, including drinking blood and immorality.
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.