Acts 15:20 Cross References

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

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Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Acts 15:20. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

Acts 15:20 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Acts 15:20 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

Acts 15:29 KJV Bible Verse Image
Acts 15:29 (KJV) »
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.

Revelation 2:20 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 2:20 (KJV) »
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Leviticus 3:17 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 3:17 (KJV) »
It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.

Revelation 2:14 KJV Bible Verse Image
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.

Genesis 9:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
Genesis 9:4 (KJV) »
But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Acts 21:25 KJV Bible Verse Image
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.

1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Corinthians 8:4 (KJV) »
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

Leviticus 17:10 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 17:10 (KJV) »
And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

1 Corinthians 8:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV) »
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV) »
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

1 Corinthians 10:7 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Corinthians 10:7 (KJV) »
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) »
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Exodus 34:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
Exodus 34:15 (KJV) »
Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

1 Peter 4:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Peter 4:3 (KJV) »
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Ezekiel 4:14 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ezekiel 4:14 (KJV) »
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

Revelation 9:20 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 9:20 (KJV) »
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

Deuteronomy 12:16 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 12:16 (KJV) »
Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.

Deuteronomy 15:23 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 15:23 (KJV) »
Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.

Revelation 10:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 10:8 (KJV) »
And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

2 Corinthians 12:21 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Corinthians 12:21 (KJV) »
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Galatians 5:19 KJV Bible Verse Image
Galatians 5:19 (KJV) »
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Colossians 3:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Colossians 3:5 (KJV) »
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Revelation 10:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 10:2 (KJV) »
And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

Hebrews 12:16 KJV Bible Verse Image
Hebrews 12:16 (KJV) »
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Acts 15:20 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Meaning and Interpretation of Acts 15:20

Acts 15:20 states:

"But that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood."

This verse appears during the Jerusalem Council, where early church leaders convened to discuss the imposition of Jewish law on Gentile believers. Below, we will summarize its meaning incorporating insights from public domain commentaries like those of Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke.

Summary of Insights

Contextual Background

In Acts 15, the apostolic leaders seek to determine how Gentiles can be incorporated into the church without adhering to all of the Jewish law. This moment is crucial in understanding the early church's development and the principles of inclusion and grace under which it operated.

Verse Breakdown

  • “We write to them”: Indicates a formal directive from the apostles to the Gentile converts, suggesting authority and unity among church leaders.
  • “Abstain from pollutions of idols”: This highlights the importance of avoiding idolatry, which was prevalent in Gentile cultures. Both spiritual and moral cleanliness are imperative for the covenant community.
  • “And from fornication”: Fornication here refers to sexual immorality, which was rampant in Greco-Roman culture. Early Christians were called to a higher standard of purity.
  • “From things strangled”: This command pertains to dietary restrictions that maintained ritual purity and significance in the eyes of Jewish believers.
  • “And from blood”: This injunction aligns with the Old Testament laws, specifically prohibiting the consumption of blood, which was considered sacred.

Thematic Connections

Acts 15:20 serves as a foundation for understanding several themes present in both the Old and New Testaments.

  • Holiness and Separation: The call to abstain from certain practices underscores the theme of being set apart (1 Peter 1:16).
  • Moral Conduct: The insistence on moral behavior relates to various biblical exhortations (Ephesians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Inter-Biblical Connections

Acts 15:20 interacts with various verses across scripture:

  • Exodus 34:15-16: Lauds the importance of not engaging with idolatry.
  • Leviticus 17:10-14: Emphasizes the prohibition of consuming blood.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:21: Echoes the demand to avoid participating in idol worship.
  • Revelation 2:14: Warns against following practices like idolatry and immorality.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7: Discusses God's will concerning sexual purity.
  • Romans 14:17: Highlights that the kingdom of God is not about dietary laws but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
  • Galatians 5:19-21: Lists acts of the sinful nature that Christians should avoid, aligning with the moral directives given in Acts 15.

Cross-Referencing and Thematic Analysis

This verse invites deeper comparative analysis with both the Jewish laws and the New Testament’s stance on moral living and inclusivity for Gentiles. Understanding these connections enables a clearer grasp of early church dynamics and the theological underpinnings of Christian life.

Tools for Bible Cross-Referencing

For those looking to study further, here are some tools and methods to aid in cross-referencing:

  • Bible Concordance: A comprehensive tool to find keywords and their occurrences across the Bible.
  • Bible Cross-Reference Guide: Guides that highlight scriptural relations.
  • Cross-Reference Bible Study: Methods of linking scripture to enhance understanding.
  • How to Use Bible Cross-References: Techniques on identifying connections.

Conclusion

Acts 15:20 calls the early believers to maintain purity and holiness reflecting God's ordinance. Understanding its implications through scriptural cross-referencing enhances our appreciation of the Bible's coherent message.