The christian jews in Isreal had been taught since birth that idol worship had been the central cause of all their people's problem for the past 1500. Every time the Isrealites turned to idols, God's shield of protection was lifted and in swept a power that overcame them and turned them into slaves. So when Paul suggests that new gentile christians, many idol worshippers amoung them, were not to be kicked out of the group for continueing in idol worship, the Christian jews were beside themselves. They simply couldn't see that God's "deal" with them had changed to one of complete grace. They held to the idea that certain behaviors had to be stopped or God wouldn't be there for them.
Paul saw beyond their argument and stated that NO sin kept someone from God, but for the sin of unbelief. God's new shedding of grace meant that even idol worshippers were fully loved and cared for and protected by God's loving hand. On this point, Paul stood alone. Perhaps John saw some truth in what he said, but Paul was alone. Though probably the few idol worshipping Christians that heard what he said were rather comforted.
Just let the idol worshippers in?
Yes. Teach and live truth - God's grace, not more law. The early church couldn't trust God to work in these idol worshipper's lives. Paul says that it is in fact only God that can change their behaviors from the inside out, not by other believers using social cohersion to convince them to stop "or be shunned".
Idol worship is sin, of course (reference=many places in the Bible). Also sin:
- to be smoking when God tells you not too
- having a small house when God has told you to buy a mansion
- running two miles when you are called to run 2.1 miles
- not eating ice cream when God has told you it is ok
Just let the idol worshippers in?
Yes.
