What does Acts 15:25 mean?

When Christian Pharisees come to Syrian Antioch from Judea and tell the Gentile Jesus-followers they need to be circumcised, Paul, Barnabas, and the elders of the church in Antioch vehemently disagree. They know Jesus chose the Gentiles as Gentiles, not as converts to Judaism (Acts 15:1–2).

The apostles and the church elders in Jerusalem—including James, half-brother of Jesus and pastor of the church—agree with the Antiochenes. They disavow the Pharisees' claims. The salvation of the Gentiles is secure. But they cannot send such affirmation with Paul and Barnabas alone; they need to send their own messengers, namely Judas Barsabbas and Silas, to validate the letter (Acts 15:6–22).

"One accord" is from the Greek root word homothymadon. It suggests many notes in harmony or several beings moving forward gracefully. Both Greek and Hebrew culture valued discussion as a way of discovering the truth, so the fact that several Christian leaders agree on such a serious topic is significant.

To that end, although the leaders in Jerusalem do not want the Gentile Christians to be troubled or burdened, James does want the Gentiles to make certain concessions. These are to ensure the harmony with their Jewish brothers and sisters is complete. He tells them to refrain from sexual immorality, blood, and food that has been sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:29).

The Pharisees wanted the Gentiles to convert to Judaism so they could fellowship in the church and still maintain their high reputation among the non-Christian Jews (Galatians 6:12). James doesn't care about their reputation. He knows true unity from Christ is far more important than worldly praise (James 2:1–13).