This question was warmly discussed in the assembly. Intimately connected with the question of circumcision were several others demanding careful study. One was the problem as to what attitude should be taken toward the use of meats offered to idols. Many of the Gentile converts were living among ignorant and superstitious people who made frequent sacrifices and offerings to idols. The priests of this heathen worship carried on an extensive merchandise with the offerings brought to them, and the Jews feared that the Gentile converts would bring Christianity into disrepute by purchasing that which had been offered to idols, thereby sanctioning, in some measure, idolatrous customs.

Dette spørgsmål affødte en hed diskussion i forsamlingen. I nær tilknytning til spørgsmålet om omskærelse var der flere andre spørgsmål, der krævede indgående overvejelse. Det ene var, hvilken stilling man skulle tage til brugen af kød, som var ofret til afguderne. Mange af de hedningekristne boede blandt uvidende og overtroiske mennesker, der tit bragte ofre til afguderne. Præsterne ved denne hedenske gudsdyrkelse drev en vidtstrakt handel med de ofre, som man bragte dem; og jøderne var bange for, at de hedningekristne skulle bringe kristendommen i vanry ved at købe det, som havde været offergave til afguderne, og på den måde til en vis grad sanktionere de hedenske skikke.