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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Can Christians Eat
Blood?
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
The Foolishness of the Church
of Fools
Can Christians Eat Blood?
Joe R. Price
The thought of eating blood does
not appeal to me in the least. Yet, I realize there are cultures in which
blood is prepared and served for human consumption. It is in these
situations into which the gospel of Christ goes that the question arises as
to whether it is a sin to eat blood. The Bible answers the question for us,
and with it we will attempt to understand what the will of the Lord is on
the subject (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 3:15).
In Acts 15:20, 29, the apostles
and elders in the Jerusalem church judged from Scripture to not burden
Gentile converts, but “write to them to abstain from things polluted by
idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood”
(Acts 15:20). These things were deemed “necessary” by the Holy
Spirit and were thus delivered to Gentile saints in the cities where
Barnabas, Paul, Silas and Timothy went preaching the gospel (Acts 15:28-29;
16:4). As a result, the churches “rejoiced” and “were
strengthened in the faith” (Acts 15:30-31; 16:5).
Acts 15 demonstrates that the law
of Moses was not to be bound on Gentiles in order for their salvation (Acts
15:1-2, 5-21). The Jerusalem letter clarified this (Acts 15:24-27).
The prohibition against eating
blood in Acts 15:20, 29 that was sent to Gentile Christians also included
the teaching to abstain “from things offered to idols…from things
strangled, and from sexual immorality.” Some conclude this decree is
simply an amplified way of prohibiting idolatry among the Gentiles. While
one must acknowledge an association of these activities with idolatry, one
must also acknowledge that these things were not exclusively associated with
idolatrous worship. For instance, while fornication was often practiced in
the service of idols, it was not solely an idolatrous activity. The Gentile
brethren were not to conclude from the Jerusalem letter that fornication,
when not associated with idolatry, was allowable. (From observing Paul’s
comments in 1 Cor. 6:12-20 it is clear that some were trying to argue that
fornication was acceptable conduct.) We must conclude that the scope of
these “necessary things” reaches beyond the boundaries of idolatrous
activities to include an even broader base of consideration and application.
These
“necessary things,” while addressed to Gentile saints, were also
necessary for Jewish Christians to observe. While the law of Moses was
indeed impotent to save Jews or Gentiles, it was a schoolmaster to bring
people to faith in Christ (Acts 15:7-11; Gal. 3:24-25; 2 Tim. 3:15). For
instance, it taught against idolatry by commanding worship of the only true
God (Exo. 20:1-6). It taught against fornication by commanding moral purity
(Exo. 20:14, 17). And, it taught the sanctity of life by forbidding the
eating of blood (Lev. 17:11-13; Deut. 12:23-25).
The Jewish people who respected
the law of Moses already understood God’s will on such matters (Rom.
2:17-18). Gentiles did not. So, this letter to Gentile saints clarified
that the law of Moses does not save and is not binding on men while also
binding divine instruction against moral and religious defilements.
The apostles were not binding the
law of Moses on Gentiles when they forbade the eating of blood (although it
prohibited such) any more than they were binding the ten commandments on
them (although the law of Moses forbade idolatry and fornication). In both
the moral and religious aspects of the Acts 15:20, 29 decree, the gospel of
Christ mandates for Gentiles and Jews God’s stipulation for mankind He gave
before the law of Moses existed.
The divine prohibition against
eating blood did not begin with the law of Moses. After the worldwide flood
God gave “every moving thing that lives” as food for Noah (hence, to
mankind) with this proviso: “But you shall not eat flesh with its life,
that is, its blood” (Gen. 9:4). Before the law of Moses God gave
“every moving thing” to man to eat. The law of Moses placed food
restrictions on Israel. Yet, before the law of Moses, God placed mankind
under commandment not to eat blood. The law of Moses also contained this
command.
Christ purified all foods when He
rebuked the binding of Pharisaic traditions upon men (Mk. 7:19; Matt.
15:10-20; Acts 10:9-15). The gospel of Christ, that carries binding
authority upon all men, allows the eating of “every moving thing that
lives” with the giving of thanks (1 Tim. 4:4-5).
Some reply, “since Jesus purified
all foods, eating blood is allowed today.” No. Acts 15:20 and 29 forbid
it, not because it was part of the law of Moses that God wanted bound on
Gentiles, but because God, from the time of the flood onward, has always
expected people to respect life. Genesis 9:3-4 says respect for life is
shown by not eating the blood of animals that are killed for food. The law
of Moses also taught this respect for life in its prohibition against eating
blood: “Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the
life; you may not eat the life with the meat. You shall not eat it; you
shall pour it on the earth like water. You shall not eat it, that it may go
well with you and your children after you, when you do what is right in the
sight of the LORD” (Deut. 12:23-25; cf. Lev. 17:11-13).
God
forbids the eating of blood today. To do so shows disrespect for life and
for God who gives it; it is sin against Him (1 Jno. 3:4). In summary,
please consider these remarks from J. W. McGarvey on Acts 15:20:
“There was room for no other
conclusion than the one which James deduced, that they should impose on the
Gentiles, so far as the class of restrictions under consideration were
concerned, only those necessary things which were necessary independent of
the Mosaic law. Idolatry, with all the pollutions connected with it, was
known to be sinful before the law of Moses was given; and so was
fornication. The eating of blood, and, by implication, of strangled animals,
whose blood was still in them, was forbidden to the whole world in the
family of Noah. [Genesis 9:4.] In the restrictions here proposed by James,
therefore, there is not the slightest extension of the law of Moses, but a
mere enforcement upon the Gentiles of rules of conduct which had ever been
binding, and were to be perpetual. They are as binding today as they were
then. To deny this would be to despise the combined authority of all the
apostles, when enjoining upon the Gentile world, of which we form a part,
restrictions which they pronounce necessary. One would be surprised that
it was thought necessary to mention to Gentiles, who had turned to the Lord,
the sinfulness of fornication, did we not know that among heathen nations of
antiquity it was deemed innocent, and even sometimes virtuous.” (Original
Commentary on Acts, 185-186)
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Forbidden Fruit...Bad Jam!
Scripture Reading:
James 1:12-16
1. Every day brings
the challenge of temptation & the potential of sin – 1 Pet. 5:8-9 (Ro.
12:21; 1 Cor. 10:13).
2. What happens when we are tempted to sin? – Jas. 1:14-15 (2 Cor. 2:11)
I.
TEMPTATION IS SURE:
“Each one is tempted when…” (1:14)
A. Each
Person – No Exceptions (cf. Jesus - Matt. 4:3); Lk. 22:31; Eph. 4:27; Jas.
4:7; Eph. 6:11; Heb. 2:18; 4:15-16.
II.
TEMPTATION IS SUBTLE:
We are “drawn away…” (1:14)
A. It is
Cunning, Crafty & Full of Deceit – cf. Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3.
B. Temptation Draws Us Away from what is Right – Lk. 22:33 (54-61); (1
Cor. 10:12).
III.
TEMPTATION IS SPECIALIZED:
“own desires (lusts, ASV)…” (1:14)
A.
Temptation is Customized to fit each Person – cf. Matt. 4:3, 5-6, 8-9 – Lk.
9:23; 1 Cor. 9:25-27.
B. Lust: Strong Desire for Unlawful Satisfaction (Matt. 5:28); 1 Jno.
2:16; 1 Pet. 5:9 (Prov. 4:23).
IV.
TEMPTATION IS SEDUCTIVE:
“enticed” (1:14)
A.
Temptation is Alluring but not Coercive – 1 Jno. 2:15 (1 Tim. 6:9-10).
V. WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN WE GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION:
“…it gives birth to sin… when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
(1:15)
A. Choice
to Fulfill Lust Produces Sin – Eph. 2:3
B. Sin Produces Spiritual Death – Jas. 1:15;Rom. 5:12; 6:21, 23.
C. Do not be Deceived – Jas. 1:17.
D. You can Endure & Prevail Over Temptation – Jas. 1:12, 3-4 (cf. 1 Pet.
5:9); 1 Pet. 1:6-7; Psa. 119:11; Matt. 6:13; Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15-16.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
What Makes a Church a Church of
Christ?
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 3:1-6
1. Psa. 127:1; Matt. 16:18 –
Only the church built by Jesus Christ will prevail. It is His church, not
ours.
2. This lesson concerned with what makes a local church a church that
belongs to Christ. All do not agree.
I. WHAT DOES NOT
MAKE A CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?
– cf. Lk. 13:23-27
A. Past
Accomplishments, Rev. 2:2-3, 5; Heb. 6:9-12; Rev. 3:8-9.
B. Present Reputation, Rev. 3:1.
C. Just Saying it is so, Rev. 3:14-19 (Prv. 14:12)
D. Just Having a Sign that Says it is so – Rom. 2:28-29 (9:6); 16:16;
8:9; Gal. 5:4-5.
II. WHAT MAKES A
CHURCH A CHURCH OF CHRIST?
A. The Right Head:
Submission to the Authority of Christ in All Things – Eph. 5:24; Col. 3:17;
Lk. 6:46. (Obedience to Christ)
1. Right head
(Christ), Matt. 28:18; Rev. 1:17-18.
2. Right heart, Col. 3:12-16.
3. Right living, Col. 3:1-11.
B. The Right
Teaching: Preach & Practice Sound Doctrine: The Whole Counsel of God, Acts
20:27, 20, 32. (One faith, Eph. 4:5)
1. Teach no other
doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3; 4:6; 6:3-5) – Gal. 1:6-9.
2. Hold fast pattern of sound words – 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:14-16; 4:2-4.
3. Otherwise lose fellowship w/ Christ – 2 Jno. 9.
4. Applications: Plan of salvation, worship, organization, work, MDR,
fellowship, holy living, etc.
5. Objections: 2 Cor. 11:2-4 (12-15).
Conclusion
1. What
makes a church a church of Christ? Faithfully doing the will of God in all
things – Matt. 7:21-23; Heb. 3:4-6; 1 Cor. 1:10.
2. Right head…right structure…right teaching… right worship…right
work…right living.
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
The
Foolishness of the Church of Fools
Joe R. Price
Sponsored
by The Methodist Church, the Church of Fools is self-described as “the UK’s
first web-based, 3D church” that began May 11. In the Church of Fools one
can use a 3D animated character to kneel, sing, talk to others, hear a
sermon or shout “Hallelujah.” You can even make monetary donates using your
credit card! The Church of Fools has been having some “fools” login and
wreak havoc during their virtual worship services. “After a noisy first two
days, with people ranting from the pulpit and swearing in the aisles, we’ve
introduced some changes to quieten things down.” While trying to hijack the
virtual pulpit, someone identifying himself as “the Evil One” had to be
removed from the “church.” (Church of Fools website:
www.shipoffools.com/church/index.html) It sounds like the evil one
already has pretty good control of the Church of Fools!
Which is what this article is
really about. Satan is the real builder of every church started by men.
All man-made churches are the churches of fools because they have shown
their foolishness by rejecting the church of Christ in favor of the wisdom
of men,. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1
Cor. 3:19). Christ built His church on the truth that He is the Son of
God. Every other church (whether real or virtual) is inferior and
counterfeit (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11).
Satan has real ministers in
pulpits and churches around the world. As if they were ministers of
righteousness they deceive souls with false messages of “peace” with God
(when there is no peace, Jer. 6:14) and “truth” (that is perversion of the
gospel of Christ, Gal. 1:6-7). Let us “test all things” in order to
“hold fast what is good” and “abstain from every form of evil”
(1 Ths. 5:21-22).
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