What New Testament teachings align with Leviticus 17:12's prohibition on consuming blood? Leviticus 17:12 in Context “Therefore I say to the Israelites, ‘None of you may eat blood, and no foreigner who resides among you may eat blood.’ ” Key New Testament Passages That Echo the Command • Acts 15:20 – “Instead we should write to them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.” • Acts 15:29 – “You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” • Acts 21:25 – “They should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” • Genesis 9:4 (re-affirmed background principle) – “But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.” • Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • 1 Peter 1:18-19 – “You were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” Why the Apostolic Decree Still Matters • The Jerusalem Council addressed Gentile believers, showing the command predates and transcends Mosaic ceremonial law (Genesis 9:4). • “Abstain from blood” is listed alongside moral absolutes (idolatry, sexual immorality), indicating ongoing binding force. • The life-is-in-the-blood principle (Leviticus 17:11) undergirds the New Covenant, climaxing in Christ’s sacrificial blood; therefore believers treat blood with reverence, not as food. Theological Threads That Tie the Testaments Together • Sanctity of Life: Blood equals life (Leviticus 17:11), a truth highlighted when Jesus shed His blood for sinners (Romans 5:9). • Atonement: Animal blood prefigured Christ’s; the New Testament never loosens the prohibition, preserving blood’s unique, redemptive symbolism. • Holiness: God’s people remain set apart in what they consume (1 Corinthians 10:31), demonstrating obedience and respect for divine boundaries. Practical Takeaways for Today • Evaluate food practices (soups, sausages, cultural dishes) to ensure they do not contain blood as a primary ingredient. • Let reverence for Christ’s blood deepen gratitude each time the Lord’s Supper reminds us of His sacrifice (Luke 22:20). • Uphold biblical convictions graciously, honoring fellow believers’ consciences (Romans 14:19-21) while remaining faithful to Scriptural command. |
    |