In the Book of Acts we see the first Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem getting together and deciding on how to advise the Gentile believers to walk out their faith.
In the following three (3) scriptures in Acts, you will see the four (4) statutes we are all to observe which are:
1) Idolatry – Avoid ALL forms of idolatry, including food offered to idols as is the practice of pagans.
2) Sexual Immorality/Perversion – Avoid ALL forms of sexual immorality including fornication as is the practice of pagans.
3) Strangled – Animal meat from animals that die by strangulation as is the practice of pagans.
4) Blood – Do not consume animal or human blood as is the practice of pagans.
These are the 4 primary statutes the first Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem advising gentile believers to follow, as seen in these 3 important scriptures:
Acts 15:19-20 KJV “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:28-29 KJV “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 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…”.
Acts 21:25 KJV “As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication“.
In these Apostolic instructions you will see no other Apostolic instructions pertaining to financial giving, marriage, serving, leadership, baptisms, gifts, prayer, assembly or even mission. These 4 issue are VERY VERY important.
These four(4) items are really important because later they pop up as faults in the early Church when a resurrected Jesus appears to John on the Greek island of Patmos. Jesus speaks of the Churches gathering in the seven cities, and calls out specifically Idolatry, Eating food offered to Idols and Sexual Perversion. He calls out the spiritual root and doctrines (taught) in the Churches of these sinful behaviours as: Balaam, Jezebel and Nicolaitanes.
All these four Apostolic issues are a big deal to Jesus. He is really harsh on the Churches with these issues.
More Detailed Issues and Instructions Came in Apostolic Letters (later)
When the Apostles and Elders got together in Jerusalem and spoke those words we see in the Book of Acts, the actual Gospels and Letters had NOT YET been written. These came later.
The Gospels (eyewitness accounts) and more granular details and instructions came later when the Churches were launched by Paul, and believers were trying to live out these instructions through out the middle east and Mediterranean region. We see those early Churches got mired in all sorts of leadership, money, marriage, sex, alcohol, behavioural and doctrinal problems, and needed help.
The words of Jesus, and the detailed instructions for marriage, relationships, giving, sharing, speech, conduct, hospitality, living, gathering, gifts, baptisms, leadership, faith and mission (and much more) are expanded more broadly in the detailed letters from Paul, Peter, James, Jude and John, as well as the 4 four Gospels written by eyewitnesses Matthew, Mark, Luke the Physician and again John.
In the Context of Western Culture
In our western culture our diet tends to avoid blood and strangled animals, but in pagan cultures and the 3rd world this is a common issue to tackle. In the west our bigger issues are Idolatry and Sexual Perversions that have become acceptable in many woke Churches. These things enter the Church through wicked leaders who bend to the wicked doctrines mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
There is a strong connection made in Scripture between the Spirit and the Doctrines of Balaam, Jezebel, and the Nicolaitans in the Bible, especially in relation to idolatry and sexual immorality.
1. Balaam
Revelation 2:14 (KJV) – “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”
Key Point: Balaam, though he could not curse Israel, so he counseled Balak to seduce Israel through Moabite women (Numbers 25:1–3, Numbers 31:16). This led Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality.
2. Jezebel
Revelation 2:20 (KJV) – “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
Key Point: Jezebel in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16–21, 2 Kings 9) led Israel into idolatry and sexual sin through Baal worship. In Revelation she is used symbolically of a corrupting influence in the church, leading to idolatry and sexual perversion.
3. Nicolaitans
Revelation 2:6 (KJV) – “But this thou hast, that thou hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:15 (KJV) – “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
Key Point: The Nicolaitans promoted compromise with pagan practices linked to eating food offered to idols and sexual immorality, similar to Balaam’s teaching, and the perverted Clergy/Laity segregation. Early church writers (like Irenaeus) confirm this.
The Link Between All Three ??
They all seduce God’s people into idolatry and sexual immorality.
- Balaam: seduction through Moabite women lead to sexual perversion and idolatry.
2. Jezebel: seduction through Baal worship lead to sexual perversion and idolatry.
3. Nicolaitans: false teaching tolerated in the church lead to sexual perversion and idolatry.
In summary Balaam, Jezebel, and the Nicolaitans all symbolize spiritual compromise, especially the blending of Christianity with immoral pagan practices leading to idolatry and sexual sin.
That’s why Jesus warns the churches in Revelation so strongly, and you can now see the parallel with the “Good Statutes” of the first Apostles and Elders.
What is Our Response ?
As gentile believers we need to be mindful of the big 4 statues, and get them right in our heart, then work our way into more the intricate details of our Christian faith with the other detailed instructions in the New Testament.
We need to honestly ask ourselves are we walking in Idolatry or sexual immorality, eating things strangled or blood ??
If we are convicted by the Holy Spirit on these matters (if we are truly listening), then we need to tackle these issues directly with these ungodly leaders, and if they don’t repent… run for your very life and get far away from those wicked leaders, and also deal with these sins in our lives too. Let’s not be hypocrites.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
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