Of course when this passage was written modern medical uses for blood were not yet invented.But as demonstrated by the first post in this series it would be inconsistent to claim that intravenous feeding on whole blood or its major components are not covered by this passage.
What though about minor fractions(i.e those not requiring a cross match),I think a comparison between this issue and the same passage's prohibition against the eating of meat sacrificed to idols could be helpful.
For instance while shopping in the meat market,would a first century Christian be in default of this prohibition if he/she knowingly purchased meat that had been sacrificed at a nearby temple.Or what if his unbelieving neighbour/relative wanted to be hospitable should he accept their invitation to a meal,knowing that some of the meat being served may have been sacrificed to an idol.Please note the apostle Paul's balanced counsel At
1Corinthians8:4NIV"So then about eating foods sacrificed to idols:We know that "An idol is nothing in the world" and that "there is no God but one""
1Corinthians8:9,10NIV"Be careful,however,that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.For if someone with a weak conscience sees you,with all your knowledge,eating in an idol's temple,won't that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols."
What is the Apostle saying here,first the fact that an animal had previously been sacrificed before a lifeless idol,to some imaginary god represented thereby did not in itself render the meat of this animal unclean.So if while shopping in the market a christian purchased the meat of this animal,or if they were to purchase a meal at a nearby restaurant regularly supplied with meat from a pagan temple,it would not necessarily be a violation of the principle being enunciated at Acts15:28,29.The principle is only violated where eating the meat honors the idol and promotes the demon-inspired falsehood it represents
1Corinithians10:19,20NIV"Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything,or that an idol is anything?No,but the sacrifices of the pagans are offered to demons,not to God,and I do not want you to be participants with demons."
Now it would be obvious to any sensible person that being present during a pagan religious ceremony and partaking of any meat from an animal sacrificed to the deity represented by an idol in that setting,would serve the purposes of the demons and not God.But where do we draw the line.The apostle Paul recognized that beyond the obvious various believers,depending on their background and/or spiritual advancement might reach differing conclusions,some might feel comfortable having a meal in a restaurant adjoining a pagan temple,for others the distinction between such a meal an actual participation in a pagan ritual might not be wide enough.
Paul's counsel:The truly mature Christian is more concerned with the peace of Jehovah's Congregation than his supposed rights.
Back to our main topic,the answer hinges on the issue of "what is blood?"We know that blood is biological tissue,that is why a cross-matching of blood-types is necessary prior to a transfusion of whole blood or its primary components,the body's immune system rejects all foreign tissue,by cross-matching the violence of the rejection can be reduced(though not eliminated).The fact that minor fractions don't require cross-matching shows that they are not biological tissue,also to be considered is the fact that many of these fractions naturally occur as an "intrinsic"component of foods not prohibited by the scriptures.What,if anything does any of this mean?Well at the very least, it is impossible to objectively state that minor fractions are in the same class as whole blood and its major components.
Therefore as is the case with the scriptural prohibition against the eating of meat from animals sacrificed to idols,prayerful meditation on the issues is necessary in order that each christian may make decisions that would leave them with a healthy conscience.
Truly mature Christians realize that differing conclusions are bound to be arrived at on this issue and that it is simply not their place to judge the slave of another Romans14:4
1Corinthians8:4NIV"So then about eating foods sacrificed to idols:We know that "An idol is nothing in the world" and that "there is no God but one""
1Corinthians8:9,10NIV"Be careful,however,that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.For if someone with a weak conscience sees you,with all your knowledge,eating in an idol's temple,won't that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols."
What is the Apostle saying here,first the fact that an animal had previously been sacrificed before a lifeless idol,to some imaginary god represented thereby did not in itself render the meat of this animal unclean.So if while shopping in the market a christian purchased the meat of this animal,or if they were to purchase a meal at a nearby restaurant regularly supplied with meat from a pagan temple,it would not necessarily be a violation of the principle being enunciated at Acts15:28,29.The principle is only violated where eating the meat honors the idol and promotes the demon-inspired falsehood it represents
1Corinithians10:19,20NIV"Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything,or that an idol is anything?No,but the sacrifices of the pagans are offered to demons,not to God,and I do not want you to be participants with demons."
Now it would be obvious to any sensible person that being present during a pagan religious ceremony and partaking of any meat from an animal sacrificed to the deity represented by an idol in that setting,would serve the purposes of the demons and not God.But where do we draw the line.The apostle Paul recognized that beyond the obvious various believers,depending on their background and/or spiritual advancement might reach differing conclusions,some might feel comfortable having a meal in a restaurant adjoining a pagan temple,for others the distinction between such a meal an actual participation in a pagan ritual might not be wide enough.
Paul's counsel:The truly mature Christian is more concerned with the peace of Jehovah's Congregation than his supposed rights.
Back to our main topic,the answer hinges on the issue of "what is blood?"We know that blood is biological tissue,that is why a cross-matching of blood-types is necessary prior to a transfusion of whole blood or its primary components,the body's immune system rejects all foreign tissue,by cross-matching the violence of the rejection can be reduced(though not eliminated).The fact that minor fractions don't require cross-matching shows that they are not biological tissue,also to be considered is the fact that many of these fractions naturally occur as an "intrinsic"component of foods not prohibited by the scriptures.What,if anything does any of this mean?Well at the very least, it is impossible to objectively state that minor fractions are in the same class as whole blood and its major components.
Therefore as is the case with the scriptural prohibition against the eating of meat from animals sacrificed to idols,prayerful meditation on the issues is necessary in order that each christian may make decisions that would leave them with a healthy conscience.
Truly mature Christians realize that differing conclusions are bound to be arrived at on this issue and that it is simply not their place to judge the slave of another Romans14:4
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