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Evang.Benincasa wrote Brother, the apostle isn't going outside of the commandments which were already prescribed by the law, but dealing with the Gentile religious system.
First the apostolic meeting deals with circumcision, this is their main focus of the meeting. Because the religious Judeans felt that these new Gentile converts needed to become physical Israelis, due to only proselytes being able to take part in religious ceremonies of Judea. Yet, the portion of Israelism which needed Gentiles to convert through circumcision was no longer needed due to the system getting ready to become null and void. Yet, what was still mandatory was that the Gentiles give up their religious practices. Fornication πορνεία in Acts 15:20 is temple prostitution, strangled animals, were ritually killed, blood was taken also during rituals, (especially in the Mithra cult) all forms of idolatry was forbidden and to be renounced.
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The point you seem to be missing, do we have these religious practices today in say America?
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But why did the apostles command the new Gentile converts to abstain from these things? Because they were expected to leave their religious practices behind, and not incorporate them into their newly adopted religion. 2nd Corinthians 6:14 -17 the Apostle repeats what was laid down in Acts 15:20, and handed over to the first Christian congregation of Antioch. 1 Corinthians 10:18-19 the Apostle Paul brings up the prohibition of Acts 15:20 again, but this time he speaks of Levites eating what was sacrificed to God, but goes on to explain that what Gentiles sacrifice to in their religious practices are demons. Yet, he goes on to explain that idols are nothing, the food offered to the idols are just BBQ, yet, the spiritual implication of the ritual is in opposition to God. Hence the reason why the Gentiles were to to abstain from their old religious practices. If this was merely just some cultural situation then obviously the apostles would be of been the ones adding. The religious Judeans had book, chapter, and verse for circumcising Exodus 12:48-49.
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Seems to me you went to a lot of trouble to explain the meaning of this passage only to prove to me that these commandments lay down by the council still dealt with a cultural practice of that day. In other words, they rejected the keeping of the Mosaic law, in the very fact that they did not require circumcision. Then only placed on them those things needful in light of their present situation. Abstaining from the idolatrous worship from which they came out of.
Again, I ask you in what manner does this passage apply to you and I today. We did not come out of a religion that offers things unto idols, sexual debauchery etc.
And yes I agree that this passage is not teaching us how to prepare food.
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