In the Bible, particularly in Acts 15:20, the term “meat from strangled animals” refers to food that is not considered appropriate for Christians due to dietary laws and the associated blood. The prohibition is rooted in the Old Testament laws about consuming blood, emphasizing the importance of adhering to God’s commandments regarding food purity.
Scripture
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
23 They sent this letter by them: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word.
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
Meaning of Strangled Animals in the Bible
The prohibition against consuming meat from strangled animals, as stated in Acts 15:20, underscores the early Church’s recognition of dietary laws inherited from the Jewish tradition, particularly those that stress the sanctity of blood. This directive aligns with Levitical laws found in Leviticus 17:10-14, which articulate that the Israelites must abstain from blood because it is identified as the life force of the flesh. By highlighting these restrictions, the early apostles aimed to maintain a degree of respect for Jewish customs while addressing the incorporation of Gentile believers into the Christian faith. The underlying principle is a commitment to purity and obedience to God’s dietary commands, which signifies a broader spiritual principle of living in accordance with divine guidelines and moral integrity.
Furthermore, this prohibition reflects the theme of unity and sensitivity within the early Church. In Romans 14:20, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to refrain from actions that could lead others to stumble in their faith. Here, abstaining from certain foods becomes a matter not solely of dietary law but of communal harmony and respect for varying backgrounds. The call to avoid meat from strangled animals serves as a tangible reminder of the diverse paths to faith, urging believers to consider the implications of their choices on others and to foster an environment of grace and understanding within the body of Christ. In this sense, the dietary laws serve not only as a means of spiritual discipline but also as a reflection of the overarching call to love one another and to honor the convictions of fellow believers.
In exploring the implications of consuming meat from strangled animals, it becomes evident that the prohibition also serves as a reflection of deeper spiritual and ethical considerations. The concern over blood reflects broader theological themes regarding the sanctity of life, connecting back to the covenantal relationship established between God and humanity. The insistence on abstaining from such meat positions believers as stewards of God’s creation, acknowledging that the life of every creature is sacred. This establishes a framework within which the ethical treatment of animals and the respect for their lifeblood becomes a matter of faith expression, binding the community to a shared understanding of divine intent in creation.
Additionally, the prohibition can be viewed in light of the historical context in which the early Church operated. Within the Greco-Roman culture, various pagan practices often involved rituals encompassing the use of blood and the consumption of strangled animals. By explicitly addressing these dietary habits, the early Church distinguished itself from surrounding cultures, offering a counter-narrative that emphasized holiness and separation from practices deemed impure or offensive to God. This careful attention to dietary laws reflects a commitment not only to maintaining a distinct identity but also to educating new believers about the significance of these practices in fostering spiritual growth and communal integrity. As such, the prohibition against meat from strangled animals extends beyond mere dietary guidelines, functioning as a vital aspect of the community’s witness to their faith and commitment to a higher ethical standard.
Spiritual Purity and Holiness
The prohibition against consuming meat from strangled animals can be seen as a reflection of the broader biblical theme of spiritual purity and holiness. In the Old Testament, dietary laws were established to set the Israelites apart from other nations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a pure and holy lifestyle. The act of strangling an animal, which may not allow for the proper draining of blood, symbolizes a disregard for the sacredness of life and the proper methods of sacrifice. This can be interpreted as a call for believers to uphold standards of purity in their lives, both physically and spiritually, as a means of honoring God.
Respect for Life and Creation
Another significant meaning behind the prohibition of meat from strangled animals relates to the respect for life and the created order. The biblical narrative often emphasizes the sanctity of life, and the proper treatment of animals reflects a broader ethical stance towards creation. By forbidding the consumption of such meat, the scripture encourages a sense of responsibility and stewardship over God’s creation. This principle can extend to how individuals treat all living beings, promoting compassion and ethical considerations in their interactions with the natural world.
Community and Unity Among Believers
The dietary restrictions, including the prohibition of meat from strangled animals, also serve as a means of fostering community and unity among believers. In the early church, these guidelines were significant in addressing the diverse backgrounds of its members, particularly between Jewish and Gentile Christians. By adhering to these dietary laws, believers could demonstrate their commitment to a shared faith and mutual respect for one another’s convictions. This aspect highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating different practices within a community, promoting harmony and collective identity among followers of Christ.
How to Embrace Spiritual Purity Through Dietary Choices
Embracing spiritual purity through dietary choices is a beautiful journey that intertwines our physical well-being with our spiritual growth. As you consider what you eat, reflect on how your choices align with your faith and values. The Bible encourages us to honor our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), which means being mindful of what we consume. Start by incorporating more whole, natural foods into your diet—fruits, vegetables, and grains that nourish not just your body but also your spirit. You might also find it helpful to pray over your meals, asking for guidance and gratitude, which can transform your eating experience into a sacred act. Remember, it’s not just about restriction but about making choices that uplift you and draw you closer to God. As you cultivate this awareness, you’ll likely find that your dietary choices become a reflection of your commitment to living a life of purity and purpose.
Bible References to Strangled Animal Meat:
Leviticus 17:10-14: 10 And any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them who eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.
13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.
14 For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life.
Deuteronomy 12:15-16: 15 “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your towns, as much as you desire, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you. The unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and as of the deer.”
16 Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.
Genesis 9:3-4: 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13: 1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”
5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Romans 14:1-23: As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
1 Timothy 4:1-5: 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,
3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 For it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.