The decision at the Acts 15 conference set aside the need for circumcision among new converts, marking a significant shift in worship practices. This decision, however, did not abolish the Old Testament laws but clarified that certain ceremonial practices were no longer binding under the New Covenant. While circumcision was deemed unnecessary, as Jesus Christ Himself did not require it, other instructions from the Old Testament, such as abstaining from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood, were upheld as relevant for Gentile converts. These commands, rooted in the Old Testament, demonstrate that God's laws were not done away with but remained essential for understanding and conversion. Further, the conference helped clarify and eventually set aside other Old Covenant worship practices, such as the sacred ceremonial use of the Temple, the Levitical priesthood, and animal sacrifices. These practices, though no longer binding, still appear in the Old Testament as part of the historical and instructional background for God's people. They provide depth to the understanding of God's plan, showing that while some elements are set aside, they are not erased from the broader narrative of Scripture. Jesus Christ signaled such changes in worship during His ministry, indicating that the time would come when worship would not be confined to specific locations like the Temple in Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim, foreshadowing a profound transformation in how God's people approach Him.

In addressing the question of what should be required of Gentile converts to Christianity, a significant issue arises concerning the adherence to the entirety of the law, particularly the ceremonial law. At the council in Acts 15, the discussion centered on whether Gentiles needed to observe the whole law, including ceremonial aspects, as a prerequisite for conversion. Some within the church, influenced by their Pharisaic background, sincerely believed that God required all people to adhere to the ceremonial law alongside civil and spiritual laws. This belief stemmed from a theological principle rather than mere expediency to avoid persecution from unconverted Jews. Peter's judgment, based on his firsthand experiences as an evangelist, was that God clearly showed Gentiles did not need to become Israelites through adherence to ceremonial law before receiving His Spirit. He emphasized that God granted His Spirit to Gentiles like Cornelius without requiring circumcision or other ceremonial observances, highlighting that what mattered to God was the heart and repentance, not outward legal observances. Peter further argued that imposing such laws on Gentiles was tantamount to questioning God's judgment, as even the Jews struggled to bear the yoke of the law, which did not lead to salvation through its observance. James supported this perspective by affirming that God was converting Gentiles and giving them His Spirit without the necessity of keeping the ceremonial laws first. The decision reached at the council included specific instructions for Gentiles to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood—elements often tied to pagan worship but transcending mere ceremony due to their moral and spiritual implications. These instructions were partly based on expediency to avoid unnecessary persecution from unconverted Jews in Gentile cities, who might take offense at flaunted liberties. The ceremonial laws, while not directly applicable to salvation, still hold spiritual intent relevant to the church. God's work through a spiritual body, rather than a nation anchored in one place, necessitated a change in the application of such laws. Though set aside in their literal application due to the changed circumstances of the church, their underlying principles continue to guide moral and spiritual conduct.

In exploring the various dimensions of biblical law, it is evident that not all laws hold the same weight or purpose. Ceremonial laws, as part of the Old Covenant, served specific functions, often as object lessons that held little transformative effect on the people at the time of their institution. These laws, including sacrifices and washings, were not inherently capable of purging the conscience of sin, as the writer of Hebrews notes that the blood of bulls and goats could not achieve such a purification. However, they remain valuable as teaching tools for those who are converted, offering deeper meaning and insight when viewed through the lens of spiritual understanding. The discussion in Acts 15 regarding circumcision highlights the complexity of ceremonial law within the early church. Circumcision, often representing a broader body of religious regulations and theology, was deemed by the council as not necessary for spiritual salvation. This decision did not abolish the laws but clarified that they were not absolute requirements for acceptance before God. The apostles, including Paul, continued to observe these laws, demonstrating that they were not done away with but rather reframed in their application to both Jews and Gentiles. The council's intent was to avoid troubling the Gentile converts with immediate adherence to these rites, allowing for a gradual learning of God's laws. Furthermore, Peter in Acts 15 refers to a yoke that neither the fathers nor the current generation could bear, which cannot be equated with God's law itself. This yoke appears to encompass the burdensome perversions and additional regulations developed by the Pharisees, combined with God's law, creating an impossible standard. This combination, rather than the law of God alone, was what proved unbearable, leading to a separation from righteous judgment and fellowship. In contrast, the New Covenant, as described by Jesus Christ in Matthew 11, offers a lighter yoke, emphasizing that God does not impose burdens too heavy to bear but provides a way to endure and grow in grace. Ceremonial laws, such as circumcision, are ultimately shown to have no direct effect on spiritual holiness or one's relationship with God under the New Covenant. As Paul states in I Corinthians 7, circumcision and uncircumcision are of no value in themselves; what truly matters is keeping the commandments of God. This principle underscores that external rites do not enter the heart, the core of true conversion, whereas adherence to God's commandments in spirit holds paramount importance.