Why should Gentile converts be taught certain things from the Law of Moses when preaching the Gospel of Grace?
Gentile converts were to be taught these Moses-based fundamentals for the sake of Jews living in pagan communities, so they would abstain from meat offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and fornication. Although believers are under Grace, not Law, God still holds them accountable for these things, as confirmed by the Jerusalem church’s written agreement.
Les explains that going into the Gentile world and preaching the Gospel of Grace was well and good, but for the sake of Jews in those pagan communities, converts needed to understand that some things remained fundamental going all the way back to the Law of Moses. Paul agreed with this and taught it. The Jerusalem apostles and elders, with the whole church, sent chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas and wrote letters confirming that they would no longer force Gentile converts to keep the Law and practice circumcision. Yet the written agreement still required abstaining from meat offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and fornication. Les points back to Leviticus 17 and 18, noting that even though this was part of the Law, God could sanction its continuing alongside the Gospel of Grace. Under Grace, not Law, God still holds us accountable for not doing these things. Les also observes that Satan worship often begins with drinking blood and immorality.