ACTS 15:20

Q: There is a lot of emphasis on “sexual morality” in the NT, and that Gentiles must start

having some. Is there a specific thing going on at the time that is being addressed, such as the

prevalence of prostitution in Rome, or a lot of bastard children, or is it just general condemnation of

fornication across the board? Also it is typically mentioned with idolatry, I know that some idol worship

contained sex acts. Is there a link here?

 

Other sins were just as common in the Roman Empire: violence against women and slaves, gladiator

 shows, total lack of charity, lavish giving for public honor, widespread sale of profitable priesthoods,

 constant religious festivals accompanied by drunkenness, gluttony, animal torture and prostitution

 (usually not of the sacred prostitution kind, a practice that was dying out except in Phoenicia). “In the

 second and third centuries, accepted sexual practices in the Roman Empire had a range and variety

 which it has never attained since.” (Robin Lane Fox, Pagans and Christians) This included marriage

 between siblings, sex with slaves, bisexuality (“the Greek vice”) between young men or between men

 and boys, especially slaves. Also abortion and exposure of unwanted children was common. Male

 prostitution and pimping were generally outlawed, and resorting to a female prostitute was felt to be in

 bad form and a waste of money.

 

Regarding your last question, The OT is full of references in which idolatry and sexual transgressions

 against monogamy are equated. This is not because of any specific sex acts connected with idol

 worship. Instead, it is because both acts represent being unfaithful to your intended love.