Council of Jerusalem question

[seamus414]

My question specifically regards Acts 15:20: "but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood."

Based upon the above, it seems that as Christians we need to abstain from "what has been strangled and from blood". I want to follow the Word but I do not know what this means. Does anyone have any idea from what Christians are to abstain as referred to in this verse?

[HisLeast]

Based upon the above, it seems that as Christians we need to abstain from "what has been strangled and from blood". I want to follow the Word but I do not know what this means. Does anyone have any idea from what Christians are to abstain as referred to in this verse?

I'm only hazarding a guess here, but I believe its telling the reader to refrain from eating animals that have been strangled to death, or from using animal blood as a source of food. I believe these rules help keep animal husbandry humane, by making slaughter merciful and quick as well as ensuring the animal doesn't live a life of torture. If we were allowed to consume blood as a food source, that would only encourage people to keep animals bleed to cusp of death in order to create a steady supply.

[ZAB]

I believe this was directed primarily to the Gentile believers in their direct audience. They previously had used blood in their idol worship, etc. They would drink blood (particularly the Sabians) in their sacrifices to idols and in making covenant. The Jerusalem council was probably trying to adamantly separate the behavior of a pagan Gentile with the behavior of a new convert.

[-SEEKING-]

See if this helps you out.

"Acts 15:19–21 James agreed with Peter that they should not trouble the Gentiles with the ritual laws. But he knew that Gentile Christians would have contact with Jewish Christians who still kept the ceremonial provisions, including laws about sacrifices, festivals, unclean foods, and circumcision. He offered a proposal by which Gentile Christians could have fellowship with Jewish Christians and avoid giving unnecessary offense. The word for (Gk. gar) at the beginning of v. 21 gives the reason for James's proposal: the Gentile Christians should abstain from certain things because “in every city” there are still Jews who observe these ceremonial laws and think them to be important. The first three requirements seem to be contextually sensitive and designed for these specific circumstances: abstention from food offered to idols, from blood (meat with the blood in it), and from strangled meat (which would also have blood in it). (But Paul in other circumstances permitted believers to eat food offered to idols; see 1 Cor. 8:1–11:1.) The fourth requirement, dealing with sexual immorality, was of course not a contextual or optional standard of obedience like the other three. It may have needed special emphasis and clarification because many Gentiles' consciences were so corrupted that they did not hold to a high standard of sexual purity. This reaffirmation of the believer's need to maintain sexual purity also serves as a reminder that the moral standards of the OT still need to be obeyed. James concludes his appeal (v. 21) by noting the widespread (in every city) teaching and affirmation of the Mosaic law, thus suggesting that there is no need to give unnecessary offense either to Jewish believers or to unbelieving Jews who might otherwise consider becoming Christians in the future."

[seamus414]

By blood, can one assume that eating a rare steak is not permitted then (I have not read your post yet Seeker)?

[HisLeast]

By blood, can one assume that eating a rare steak is not permitted then (I have not read your post yet Seeker)?

The red fluid you're eating in steak isn't blood, its myoglobin, which is present in all muscle tissue.

[BHS]

Very good post, Seeking.

The blood was required to be drained from the animal before it could be eaten and no blood was to be a part of the Christian diet. At the very least, in this sense, not all "food" was considered "food". Gentiles were required to hold to these minimal standards so they could have fellowship with their Jewish brothers.

His Least, thank you for making that clear. Though it appears to be blood, it is not.

Blessings,
BHS

[Partaker of Christ]

Not at all sure on this, but I once heard that animals were sometimes strangled, because then the meat would be more tender.