Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath." Acts 15:19-21

The first Church council in Jerusalem rightly decided that Gentiles did not need to become Jewish to become Christian. They did, however, make four stipulations that Gentile converts to Christ needed to observe. It is vital to understand that James was not making these stipulations as necessary for salvation but for sensitivity. The Church was threatened with a serious division between Jewish law-keeping and Gentile freedom. The decision favored the Gentiles, but in the interests of peace and unity, the Gentiles were urged to observe a few things for the sake of peace.

One of the four stipulations should have been obvious to Jew and Gentile alike. Sexual immorality is wrong no matter who you are or what your cultural background.

The other three were, as I have stated, particularly important to Jewish law-keepers. They are not necessary for salvation or for sanctification, but by asking the Gentiles to observe these, especially in the presence of their Jewish brethren, the Gentiles would be more culturally acceptable in Jewish eyes.

Note also that while these three stipulations were important for that time, they are not normative for all believers throughout all time.

Two takeaways from this:
(1) Understand what is necessary for salvation and godliness and what isn’t.
(2) Cultural sensitivity and peace among Christians from different backgrounds is worth denying ourselves some of our liberties.