The Gentile converts, however, were to give up the customs that were inconsistent with the principles of Christianity. The apostles and elders therefore agreed to instruct the Gentiles by letter to abstain from meats offered to idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood. They were to be urged to keep the commandments and to lead holy lives. They were also to be assured that the men who had declared circumcision to be binding were not authorized to do so by the apostles.

De hedningekristne måtte dog opgive de skikke, som var uforenelige med kristendommens grundsætninger. Derfor enedes apostlene og de ældste om ved et brev at underrette hedningerne om, at de skulle afholde sig fra kød, der var ofret til afguderne, fra utugt, fra det kvalte og fra blod. De skulle tilskyndes til at holde budene og føre et helligt liv. De skulle også have en forsikring om, at de mænd, som erklærede omskærelsen for at være en nødvendighed, ikke var bemyndiget dertil af apostlene.