Do We Eat Strangled Animals?

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firefly21

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(according to the New American Bible–Personal Study Edition)

In Acts 15, Peter and James discuss the requirements that should be imposed on the new Gentile Christians. In Acts 15:19-20 James says , “It is my judgement, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the MEAT OF STRANGLED ANIMALS, and blood.” Later, in Acts 15:23-29, the mandate was sent out as a letter, and is quoted in the Bible, saying the same thing. All of the Gentiles and new converts were overjoyed with the news.
  1. What animals were strangled back then, and do we eat them now? I know that we eat blood…just look at a raw steak in the fridge.
  2. How is it that we do not follow this mandate that was set down by Peter, James, Paul, Barnabus, etc.? After all, they knew Jesus, and his teaching and they still set these rules down in writing and made it a MANDATE. Seems pretty important.
 
firefly21 said:
(according to the New American Bible–Personal Study Edition)

In Acts 15, Peter and James discuss the requirements that should be imposed on the new Gentile Christians. In Acts 15:19-20 James says , “It is my judgement, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the MEAT OF STRANGLED ANIMALS, and blood.” Later, in Acts 15:23-29, the mandate was sent out as a letter, and is quoted in the Bible, saying the same thing. All of the Gentiles and new converts were overjoyed with the news.
  1. What animals were strangled back then, and do we eat them now? I know that we eat blood…just look at a raw steak in the fridge.
  2. How is it that we do not follow this mandate that was set down by Peter, James, Paul, Barnabus, etc.? After all, they knew Jesus, and his teaching and they still set these rules down in writing and made it a MANDATE. Seems pretty important.
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I believe the restriction on eating blood continues - it is not part of the mosaic law (fulfilled by Christ) but pre-dates it (it first appers in Genesis when God give mankind all animals to eat, but says don’t eat blood). This is then repeated in the NT with respect to gentile believers in Galations.

Does it affect salvation? No - we are saved through faith in Christ - but it is an ongoing commandment of the Lord and Christ said if we love him, we will follow his commandments.

Blessings,

Brian
 
Robbinson said:
I believe the restriction on eating blood continues - it is not part of the mosaic law (fulfilled by Christ) but pre-dates it (it first appers in Genesis when God give mankind all animals to eat, but says don’t eat blood). This is then repeated in the NT with respect to gentile believers in Galations.

Does it affect salvation? No - we are saved through faith in Christ - but it is an ongoing commandment of the Lord and Christ said if we love him, we will follow his commandments.

Blessings,

Brian
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We are not bound by the dietary laws of the Old Testament.
We are bound by the moral laws, i.e. the 10 Commandments.
 
thistle said:
We are not bound by the dietary laws of the Old Testament.
We are bound by the moral laws, i.e. the 10 Commandments.
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Hi - I agree, we are not subject to the dietary laws under the Mosaic laws (restrictions on clean and unclean animals (e.g., kosher rules)) because the Mosaic Law was fulfilled by Christ and that covenant (Mosaic Covenant) was replaced by the New Covenant (see Jer 31:31 fortelling of the coming of a New covenant).

But, and this is the important distinction, the restrictions on not eating blood are not part of the Mosaic Law, but part of the natural Law established by God in Genesis.

This is why you see Paul telling the Gentiles in Galations (after Christ’s death and resurrection ) that they are not subject to the Mosaic Law, but shouldn’t eat blood (why? because its not part of the Mosaic law but a free standing/unbroken command of God).

That being said, I agree that even this does not affect salvation which is based upon faith in Christ alone (good works following from faith).

Blessings,

Brian
 
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