Department Of Question And Answer

by J. DORRICOTT | Category: Department Of Question And Answer | Jun 1950

Question.-.Should Christians eat flesh of animals that have heen strangled?

Answer.-At the council held in Jerusalem, when matters pertaining to Gentile believers were considered, the conclusion on this matter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, was that they were to abstain from blood, and from things strangled (Acts 15.28, 29). This was not a new prohibition, for as far back as Genesis 9.8, 4, we see that God speaks to Noah and his sons giving them fresh instructions as to what they (and their posterity) should eat. He gives a prohibition

"But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat."

Therefore it is most evident that the blood must be shed-poured out - ere any flesh is eaten.

This was also made obligatory on the house of Israel and any strangers that sojourned among them (see Leviticus 7.26, 27; 17 10-12). (The reason for not eating the blood is seen in verse 11.) We know that the Gentile nations did iiot retain God in their knowledge, and fell into heathenish ways. and ate things strangled, and blood, hence the instructions given for Gentile converts in Acts

iS. 28, 29, preceded by the words "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us." Therefore this inspired guidance stands good for us to-day. It should be remembered, to eat of flesh that has been strangled is to eat blood, for the animal has been choked without shedding the blood, and such meat is clearly forbidden. There are also several things made with blood to-day from which the child

of God should abstain.

<Author:J. Dorricott>

J. DORRICOTT | Jun 1950
Department Of Question And Answer