Saturday 26 April 2014
The divine Law and blood III
Questions From Readers
Do Jehovah’s Witnesses accept any minor fractions of blood?
The following answer is reprinted from the issue of June 15, 2000.
The fundamental
answer is that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood. We firmly
believe that God’s law on blood is not open to reform to fit shifting
opinions. Still, new issues arise because blood can now be processed
into four primary components and fractions of those components. In
deciding whether to accept such, a Christian should look beyond possible
medical benefits and risks. His concern should be what the Bible says
and the potential effect on his relationship with Almighty God.
The key issues are quite simple. As an aid to seeing why that is so, consider some Biblical, historical, and medical background.
Jehovah God told our common ancestor Noah that blood must be treated as something special. (Genesis 9:3, 4)
Later, God’s laws to Israel reflected the sacredness of blood: “As for
any man of the house of Israel or some alien resident . . . who eats any
sort of blood, I shall certainly set my face against the soul that is
eating the blood.” By rejecting God’s law, an Israelite could
contaminate others; thus, God added: “I shall indeed cut him off from
among his people.” (Leviticus 17:10)
Later, at a meeting in Jerusalem, the apostles and older men decreed
that we must ‘abstain from blood.’ Doing so is as vital as abstaining
from sexual immorality and idolatry.—Acts 15:28, 29.
What would
“abstaining” have meant back then? Christians did not consume blood,
whether fresh or coagulated; nor did they eat meat from an unbled
animal. Also ruled out would be foods to which blood was added, such as
blood sausage. Taking in blood in any of those ways would violate God’s
law.—1 Samuel 14:32, 33.
Most people in
ancient times would not have been troubled over the consuming of blood,
as we can see from the writings of Tertullian (second and third
centuries C.E.). Responding to false charges that Christians consumed
blood, Tertullian mentioned tribes that sealed treaties by tasting
blood. He also noted that “when a show is given in the arena, [some]
with greedy thirst have caught the fresh blood of the guilty . . . as a
cure for their epilepsy.”
Those practices
(even if some Romans did them for health reasons) were wrong for
Christians: “We do not include even animals’ blood in our natural diet,”
wrote Tertullian. The Romans used food containing blood as a test of
the integrity of real Christians. Tertullian added: “Now, I ask you,
what sort of a thing is it, that when you are confident [that
Christians] will turn with horror from animals’ blood, you should
suppose them greedy for human blood?”
Today, few
people would think that the laws of Almighty God are at issue if a
physician suggested their taking blood. While Jehovah’s Witnesses
certainly want to keep living, we are committed to obey Jehovah’s law on
blood. What does this mean in the light of current medical practice?
As transfusions
of whole blood became common after World War II, Jehovah’s Witnesses
saw that this was contrary to God’s law—and we still believe that. Yet,
medicine has changed over time. Today, most transfusions are not of
whole blood but of one of its primary components: (1) red cells;
(2) white cells; (3) platelets; (4) plasma (serum), the fluid part.
Depending on the condition of the patient,
physicians might prescribe red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma.
Transfusing these major components allows a single unit of blood to be
divided among more patients. Jehovah’s Witnesses hold that accepting
whole blood or any of those four primary components violates God’s law.
Significantly, keeping to this Bible-based position has protected them
from many risks, including such diseases as hepatitis and AIDS that can
be contracted from blood.
However, since
blood can be processed beyond those primary components, questions arise
about fractions derived from the primary blood components. How are such
fractions used, and what should a Christian consider when deciding on
them?
Blood is
complex. Even the plasma—which is 90 percent water—carries scores of
hormones, inorganic salts, enzymes, and nutrients, including minerals
and sugar. Plasma also carries such proteins as albumin, clotting
factors, and antibodies to fight diseases. Technicians isolate and use
many plasma proteins. For example, clotting factor VIII has been given
to hemophiliacs, who bleed easily. Or if someone is exposed to certain
diseases, doctors might prescribe injections of gamma globulin,
extracted from the blood plasma of people who already had immunity.
Other plasma proteins are used medically, but the above mentioned
illustrate how a primary blood component (plasma) may be processed to
obtain fractions.*
Just as blood
plasma can be a source of various fractions, the other primary
components (red cells, white cells, platelets) can be processed to
isolate smaller parts. For example, white blood cells may be a source of
interferons and interleukins, used to treat some viral infections and
cancers. Platelets can be processed to extract a wound-healing factor.
And other medicines are coming along that involve (at least initially)
extracts from blood components. Such therapies are not transfusions of
those primary components; they usually involve parts or fractions
thereof. Should Christians accept these fractions in medical treatment?
We cannot say. The Bible does not give details, so a Christian must make
his own conscientious decision before God.
Some would
refuse anything derived from blood (even fractions intended to provide
temporary passive immunity). That is how they understand God’s command
to ‘abstain from blood.’ They reason that his law to Israel required
that blood removed from a creature be ‘poured out on the ground.’ (Deuteronomy 12:22-24)
Why is that relevant? Well, to prepare gamma globulin, blood-based
clotting factors, and so on, requires that blood be collected and
processed. Hence, some Christians reject such products, just as they
reject transfusions of whole blood or of its four primary components.
Their sincere, conscientious stand should be respected.
Other
Christians decide differently. They too refuse transfusions of whole
blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma. Yet, they might
allow a physician to treat them with a fraction extracted from the
primary components. Even here there may be differences. One Christian
may accept a gamma globulin injection, but he may or may not agree to an
injection containing something extracted from red or white cells.
Overall, though, what might lead some Christians to conclude that they
could accept blood fractions?
“Questions From Readers” in The Watchtower
of June 1, 1990, noted that plasma proteins (fractions) move from a
pregnant woman’s blood to the separate blood system of her fetus. Thus a
mother passes immunoglobulins to her child, providing valuable
immunity. Separately, as a fetus’ red cells complete their normal life
span, their oxygen-carrying portion is
processed. Some of it becomes bilirubin, which crosses the placenta to
the mother and is eliminated with her body wastes. Some Christians may
conclude that since blood fractions can pass to another person in this
natural setting, they could accept a blood fraction derived from blood
plasma or cells.
Does the fact
that opinions and conscientious decisions may differ mean that the issue
is inconsequential? No. It is serious. Yet, there is a basic
simplicity. The above material shows that Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse
transfusions of both whole blood and its primary blood components. The
Bible directs Christians to ‘abstain from things sacrificed to idols and
from blood and from fornication.’ (Acts 15:29)
Beyond that, when it comes to fractions of any of the primary
components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must
conscientiously decide for himself.
Many people
would be willing to accept any therapy that seems to offer immediate
benefit, even a therapy having known health risks, as is true of blood
products. The sincere Christian endeavors to have a broader, more
balanced view that involves more than just the physical aspects.
Jehovah’s Witnesses appreciate efforts to provide quality medical care,
and they weigh the risk/benefit ratio of any treatment. However, when it
comes to products derived from blood, they carefully weigh what God
says and their personal relationship with our Life-Giver.—Psalm 36:9.
What a blessing
for a Christian to have such confidence as the psalmist who wrote:
“Jehovah God is a sun and a shield; favor and glory are what he gives.
Jehovah himself will not hold back anything good from those walking in
faultlessness. O Jehovah . . . , happy is the man that is trusting in
you”!—Psalm 84:11, 12.
[Footnote]
See “Questions From Readers” in The Watchtower
of June 15, 1978, and October 1, 1994. Pharmaceutical firms have
developed recombinant products that are not taken from blood and that
may be prescribed in place of some blood fractions used in the past.
Is free will an illusion?:The bible's answer.
What Does the Bible Say About Free Will? Is God in Control?
God dignifies us with free will, the power to make
decisions of our own rather than having God or fate predetermine what
we do. Consider what the Bible teaches.
- God created humans in his image. (Genesis 1:26) Unlike animals, which act mainly on instinct, we resemble our Creator in our capacity to display such qualities as love and justice. And like our Creator, we have free will.
- To a great extent, we can determine our future. The Bible encourages us to “choose life . . . by listening to [God’s] voice,” that is, by choosing to obey his commands. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) This offer would be meaningless, even cruel, if we lacked free will. Instead of forcing us to do what he says, God warmly appeals to us: “O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river.”—Isaiah 48:18.
- Our success or failure is not determined by fate. If we want to succeed at an endeavor, we must work hard. “All that your hand finds to do,” says the Bible, “do with your very power.”(Ecclesiastes 9:10) It also says: “The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage.”—Proverbs 21:5.
Free will is a precious gift from God, for it lets us love him with our “whole heart”—because we want to.—Matthew 22:37.
Doesn’t God control all things?
The Bible does teach that God is Almighty, that his power is not limited by anyone other than himself. (Job 37:23; Isaiah 40:26)
However, he does not use his power to control everything. For example,
the Bible says that God was “exercising self-control” toward ancient
Babylon, an enemy of his people. (Isaiah 42:14)
Similarly, for now, he chooses to tolerate those who misuse their free
will to harm others. But God will not do so indefinitely.—Psalm 37:10, 11.
Monday 21 April 2014
Matthew1-5NWT(2013 Edition)
Isaac became father to Jacob;+
Pe′rez became father to Hez′ron;+
Hez′ron became father to Ram;+
4 Ram became father to Am·min′a·dab;
Am·min′a·dab became father to Nah′shon;+
Nah′shon became father to Sal′mon;
Bo′az became father to O′bed by Ruth;+
O′bed became father to Jes′se;+
Re·ho·bo′am became father to A·bi′jah;
A·bi′jah became father to A′sa;+
Je·hosh′a·phat became father to Je·ho′ram;+
Je·ho′ram became father to Uz·zi′ah;
Jo′tham became father to A′haz;+
A′haz became father to Hez·e·ki′ah;+
Ma·nas′seh became father to A′mon;+
A′mon became father to Jo·si′ah;+
12 After the deportation to Babylon, Jec·o·ni′ah became father to She·al′ti·el;
She·al′ti·el became father to Ze·rub′ba·bel;+
13 Ze·rub′ba·bel became father to A·bi′ud;
A·bi′ud became father to E·li′a·kim;
E·li′a·kim became father to A′zor;
14 A′zor became father to Za′dok;
Za′dok became father to A′chim;
A′chim became father to E·li′ud;
15 E·li′ud became father to El·e·a′zar;
El·e·a′zar became father to Mat′than;
Mat′than became father to Jacob;
17 All the generations, then, from Abraham until David were 14 generations; from David until the deportation to Babylon, 14 generations; from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, 14 generations.
18 But this is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit*+ before they were united. 19 However, because her husband Joseph was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, he intended to divorce her secretly.+ 20 But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s* angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take your wife Mary home, for what has been conceived* in her is by holy spirit.+ 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus,*+ for he will save his people from their sins.”+ 22 All of this actually came about to fulfill what was spoken by Jehovah* through his prophet, saying: 23 “Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will name him Im·man′u·el,”+ which means, when translated, “With Us Is God.”+
24 Then Joseph woke up from his sleep and did as the angel of Jehovah* had directed him, and he took his wife home. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son,+ and he named him Jesus.+
2 After Jesus had been born in Beth′le·hem+ of Ju·de′a in the days of Herod*+ the king, look! astrologers* from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying: “Where is the one born king of the Jews?+ For we saw his star when we were in the East, and we have come to do obeisance* to him.” 3 At hearing this, King Herod was agitated, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 On gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ* was to be born. 5 They said to him: “In Beth′le·hem+ of Ju·de′a, for this is how it has been written through the prophet: 6 ‘And you, O Beth′le·hem of the land of Judah, are by no means the most insignificant city among the governors of Judah, for out of you will come a governing one, who will shepherd my people Israel.’”+
7 Then Herod secretly summoned the astrologers and carefully ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearing. 8 When sending them to Beth′le·hem, he said: “Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found him, report back to me so that I too may go and do obeisance to him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went their way, and look! the star they had seen when they were in the East+ went ahead of them until it came to a stop above where the young child was. 10 On seeing the star, they rejoiced with great joy. 11 And when they went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they did obeisance* to him. They also opened their treasures and presented him with gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 However, because they were given divine warning in a dream+ not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
13 After they had departed, look! Jehovah’s* angel appeared to Joseph in a dream,+ saying: “Get up, take the young child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I give you word, for Herod is about to search for the young child to kill him.” 14 So Joseph got up and by night took along the young child and the child’s mother and went into Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what was spoken by Jehovah* through his prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”+
16 Then Herod, seeing that he had been outwitted by the astrologers, flew into a great rage, and he sent out and had all the boys in Beth′le·hem and in all its districts killed, from two years of age and under, according to the time that he had carefully ascertained from the astrologers.+ 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, who said: 18 “A voice was heard in Ra′mah, weeping and much wailing. It was Rachel+ weeping for her children, and she was unwilling to take comfort, because they are no more.”+
19 When Herod had died, look! Jehovah’s* angel appeared in a dream+ to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said: “Get up, take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the life* of the young child are dead.” 21 So he got up and took the young child and the child’s mother and entered into the land of Israel. 22 But hearing that Ar·che·la′us ruled Ju·de′a instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Moreover, being given divine warning in a dream,+ he withdrew into the territory of Gal′i·lee.+ 23 And he came and settled in a city named Naz′a·reth,+ in order to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Naz·a·rene′.”*+
3 In those days John+ the Baptist came preaching+ in the wilderness of Ju·de′a, 2 saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”+ 3 This, in fact, is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet+ in these words: “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah!* Make his roads straight.’”+ 4 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist.+ His food was locusts and wild honey.+ 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Ju·de′a and all the country around the Jordan were going out to him,+ 6 and they were baptized* by him in the Jordan River,+ openly confessing their sins.
7 When he caught sight of many of the Pharisees and Sadducees+ coming to the baptism, he said to them: “You offspring of vipers,+ who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?+ 8 Therefore, produce fruit that befits repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’+ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 The ax is already lying at the root of the trees. Every tree, then, that does not produce fine fruit is to be cut down and thrown into the fire.+ 11 I, for my part, baptize you with water because of your repentance,+ but the one coming after me is stronger than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to take off.+ That one will baptize you with holy spirit+ and with fire.+ 12 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor completely and will gather his wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with fire+ that cannot be put out.”
13 Then Jesus came from Gal′i·lee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him.+ 14 But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” 15 Jesus replied to him: “Let it be this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.” Then he quit preventing him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up,+ and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him.+ 17 Look! Also, a voice from the heavens+ said: “This is my Son,+ the beloved, whom I have approved.”+
4 Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted+ by the Devil.+ 2 After he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he felt hungry. 3 And the Tempter+ approached and said to him: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s* mouth.’”+
5 Then the Devil took him along into the holy city,+ and he stationed him on the battlement* of the temple+ 6 and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’”+ 7 Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah* your God to the test.’”+
8 Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.+ 9 And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah* your God you must worship,+ and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”+ 11 Then the Devil left him,+ and look! angels came and began to minister to him.+
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested,+ he withdrew into Gal′i·lee.+ 13 Further, after leaving Naz′a·reth, he came and took up residence in Ca·per′na·um+ beside the sea in the districts of Zeb′u·lun and Naph′ta·li, 14 so as to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, who said: 15 “O land of Zeb′u·lun and land of Naph′ta·li, along the road of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Gal′i·lee of the nations! 16 The people sitting in darkness saw a great light, and as for those sitting in a region of deathly shadow, light+ rose on them.”+ 17 From that time on, Jesus began preaching and saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.”+
18 Walking alongside the Sea of Gal′i·lee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter,+ and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.+ 19 And he said to them: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”+ 20 At once they abandoned their nets and followed him.+ 21 Going on from there, he saw two others who were brothers, James the son of Zeb′e·dee and his brother John.+ They were in the boat with Zeb′e·dee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.+ 22 At once they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 Then he went throughout the whole of Gal′i·lee,+ teaching in their synagogues+ and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people.+ 24 And the report about him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all those who were suffering with various diseases and torments,+ those who were demon-possessed+ and epileptic+ and paralyzed, and he cured them. 25 Consequently, large crowds followed him from Gal′i·lee and De·cap′o·lis* and Jerusalem and Ju·de′a and from the other side of the Jordan.
14 “You are the light of the world.+ A city cannot be hid when located on a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under a basket,* but on the lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house.+ 16 Likewise, let your light shine before men,+ so that they may see your fine works+ and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.+
17 “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill.+ 18 Truly I say to you that sooner would heaven and earth pass away than for one stroke of a letter to pass away from the Law until all things take place.+ 19 Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in relation to the Kingdom of the heavens. But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in relation to the Kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to you that if your righteousness does not surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees,+ you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of the heavens.+
21 “You heard that it was said to those of ancient times: ‘You must not murder,+ but whoever commits a murder will be accountable to the court of justice.’+ 22 However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful+ with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; and whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Ge·hen′na.*+
25 “Be quick to settle matters with your legal opponent, while you are with him on the way there, so that somehow the opponent may not turn you over to the judge, and the judge to the court attendant, and you get thrown into prison.+ 26 I say to you for a fact, you will certainly not come out of there until you have paid over your last small coin.*
27 “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’+ 28 But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman+ so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.+ 29 If, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you.+ For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge·hen′na.*+ 30 Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you.+ For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to land in Ge·hen′na.*+
33 “Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times: ‘You must not swear without performing,+ but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’*+ 34 However, I say to you: Do not swear at all,+ neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, for it is the footstool of his feet;+ nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.+ 36 Do not swear by your head, since you cannot turn one hair white or black. 37 Just let your word ‘Yes’ mean yes, your ‘No,’ no,+ for what goes beyond these is from the wicked one.+
38 “You heard that it was said: ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’+ 39 However, I say to you: Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.+ 40 And if a person wants to take you to court and get possession of your inner garment, let him also have your outer garment;+ 41 and if someone in authority compels you into service for a mile,* go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one who wants to borrow* from you.+
43 “You heard that it was said: ‘You must love your neighbor+ and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies+ and to pray for those who persecute you,+ 45 so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens,+ since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.+ 46 For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have?+ Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing? 48 You must accordingly be perfect,* as your heavenly Father is perfect.+
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