Eating Blood is Forbidden

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Q1. When did God order that it is sinful to eat blood?

Q2. Is blood a type of food?

Q3. What should be done with animal blood?

Q4. What will happen to the Israelites and even to foreigners in their country who eat blood?

Q5. In the time of the Lord Jesus Christ is it permitted to eat blood?

Q6. What is the argument of people who eat blood?

Q7. After hearing these things, what does the Scripture tell us?

Q1. When did God order that it is sinful to eat blood?

A. In the old testament:

a) During the time of Noah

“3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. 4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.” (Gen. 9:3-4) (NIV)

b) This continues during the time of Moses

““‘This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.’” (Lev. 3:17) (NIV)

“26 And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird or animal. 27 Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from their people.’” (Lev. 7:26-27) (NIV)

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Q2. Is blood a type of food?

A. No, blood is an atonement for sins and not food.

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (Lev. 17:11) (NIV)

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28) (NIV)

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb. 9:22) (NIV)

Note: We notice in the Old Testament, they use the blood of animals to atone for their sins. In the new testament the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is used as for the remission for our sins once and for all. So, it is evident that it is should not be eaten.

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Q3. What should be done with animal blood?

A. Pour it to the ground and cover it.

“12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” 13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth,” (Lev. 17:12-13) (NIV)

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Q4. What will happen to the Israelites and even to foreigners in their country who eat blood?

A. Whoever eats blood will be cut off from his people.

““‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people.” (Lev. 17:10) (NIV)

“because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.” (Lev. 17:14) (NIV) (I Samuel 14:32-34)

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Q5. In the time of the Lord Jesus Christ is it permitted to eat blood?

A. No. You must abstain from eating blood, this includes meat from strangled  animals and blood that has been sacrificed to idols.

“Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.” (Acts 15:20) (NIV)

“You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” (Acts 15:29) (NIV)

Note: In the Old Testament and is mentioned again in the New Testament eating blood has a severe punishment, and not only Israelites are forbidden to eat blood but also Gentiles. (Acts 15:20,29)

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 Q6. What is the argument of people who eat blood?

A. a) Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat - Col. 2:16

Answer: It is not the man who will judge you when you are found eating blood but God.

b) “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them…” (Mat. 15:11)

Answer: The eating of blood defiles the man spiritually as what is stated in Acts 15:20, 29 - “Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.” (NIV)

c) Others argue that not eating blood means you should not get involved with a relative.

Answer: In scripture there is a definite statement or restriction about it. It’s another prohibition.

“22 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” 23 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” (Deut. 27:22-23) (NIV)

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Q7. After hearing these things, what does the Scripture tell us?

A. a) Be a doer and do not just listen.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22) (NIV)

b) To be saved

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21) (NIV)

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