Consuming Bood

Hi, LMG,

Are you asking this question because you desire feedback for greater understanding, or because you wish to debate a point that you already have a firm position on ? :)

I will base my reply with the assumption that you desire feedback rather than debate, but debate if you wish.

Jesus was rather clear when he said in Mark 7: 15-23 (KJV) . . .

   15. There is nothing from without a man, that
   entering into him can defile him: but the things which
   come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
   16. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
   17. And when he was entered into the house from the
   people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
   18. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without
   understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever
   thing from without entereth into the man, [it] cannot
   defile him;
   19. Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the
   belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
   20. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that
   defileth the man.
   21. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
   evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
   22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,
   lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
   pride,foolishness:

Why then do you suppose that letters were sent to the Gentile churchs, saying, "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals . . . "??

It is clear to me that in the verses above, and also by common sense, that foods cannot defile a man or cause him to sin. It cannot enter into the "heart" from which sin proceeds.

To understand why Paul wrote this, the context must be established. The context that Acts 15:27-29 sit in begins back in chapter 14 or even earlier. Paul had preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Then the Jewish element (Judaizers) came and told these Gentiles that in order to be saved they must keep the Jewish law and be circumsised.(Acts 15:1, 5)

This led Paul to go to Jerusalem and consult with the Apsotles and elders about this matter. After disputing, Peter said "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (vs 10). Later James rose up and said:

Acts 15:19-20(KJV)

19. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from

among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of

idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from]

blood

Abstain from idols, and fornication. No one should have a problem with these. Idolotry and fornicaton are sin. But then he includes, things strangled and blood, refering to food.. . . Why?

The answer is given in the next verse. Acts 15:21(KJV)

21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being

read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

There were Jews and Synagogues in these Gentile cities where Paul and Barbabas had planted churches. Some of these Jews believed on Christ yet they were still very much entrenched in the laws and customs of Judaism. Seeing these Gentile Christains eat things like blood and the meat of strangled animals was incomprehensible was incomprehensible to them. It was offensive and a stumling block.

Now this should shed a little better light on Corinthians 8:4-13 (KJV)

4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in

sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and

that [there is] none other God but one.

5. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in

earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6. But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things,

and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we

by him.

7. Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with

conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an

idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the

better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a

stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's

temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat

those things which are offered to idols;

11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom

Christ died?

12. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak

conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while

the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

I hope this helps.

God Bless,

Bill Roth

(Click picture to go back to Table of Contents)

Welcome

Consuming Bood