What New Testament passages connect with Leviticus 7:27's teaching on blood? Setting the Old Testament Statement Leviticus 7:27 – “Whoever eats any blood, that person must be cut off from his people.” • God connects blood with life itself (see Leviticus 17:11), so Israel was forbidden to eat it. • The command taught reverence for life and prepared the way for understanding sacrificial atonement. Carryover to the Early Church • Acts 15:20 – “Instead we should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.” • Acts 15:28-29 – “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” • Acts 21:25 – “As for the Gentile believers, we have written our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” Why it matters: – The Jerusalem Council, guided by the Spirit, reaffirms the blood-ban for Gentile Christians, showing Leviticus 7:27 remains an ethical marker of respect for life and worship. Theological Threads in Hebrews and the Epistles • Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • Hebrews 9:12 – Christ entered the Most Holy Place “by His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption.” • Hebrews 10:19 – We have confidence to enter the sanctuary “by the blood of Jesus.” • 1 Peter 1:18-19 – We were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish.” • Ephesians 1:7 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood.” • Colossians 1:20 – God made peace “through the blood of His cross.” • Revelation 5:9 – By His blood Christ “purchased for God” people from every nation. These passages shift the focus from animal blood we must not eat to Christ’s blood we must rely on for salvation. Jesus’ Own Words • John 6:53-54 – “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” • 1 Corinthians 10:16 – “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?” Jesus speaks figuratively of believing participation in His atoning sacrifice, not literal drinking of blood—the very prohibition underscores the shock value and significance of His offer of life. Christ’s Blood – Fulfillment, Not Cancellation • The prohibition against consuming animal blood highlighted life’s sacredness; Christ’s self-giving fulfills that truth. • His sinless blood satisfies the justice of God once for all (Hebrews 9:12). • Believers honor Leviticus 7:27 today by treasuring Christ’s blood, approaching communion reverently, and upholding respect for all human life made in God’s image. Practical Takeaways Today • Continue to view blood—and thus life—as holy. • Celebrate redemption every time Scripture, worship, or communion points to Jesus’ blood. • Let the abstention from blood in Acts 15 remind us to separate from idolatry and live distinctively for the Lord. |
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