BLOOD

God forbade the eating of blood (Leviticus 7:26-27, Leviticus 17:10, 12-14, Acts 15:29) because of the life/soul contained within blood (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:11). Note that Yahweh owns all life/souls (Psalms 24:1, Psalms 115:1, Ezekiel 18:4, 1 Corinthians 10:26). Although we are not to eat blood, Yahweh still allows us to eat meat (Genesis 9:3-4). However, we are to take as much blood as possible out of the meat (Leviticus 17:13). Some people think the bible gives a provision of allowing the consumption of unbled meat because of the scripture at Leviticus 17:15 which reads: And every soul that eateth of a dead carcase, or of that which is torn, be it one home-born or a stranger, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until the even: then he shall be clean. (Darby Translation) Some believe this is saying that eating the unbled meat will simply make you unclean until evening and after you've bathed and that's it. However, we must realize that immediately before this verse it is stated that anyone eating blood would be cut off from God's people. This was an absolute statement that held no listed exceptions. The idea of being unclean until evening isn't referring to the eating of unbled meat, it is referring to the touching and handling of a dead body according to the law at Leviticus 11:39-40. On top of that, the scripture never states that the person is eating the meat without bleeding it first. It just mentions the concept of eating. Bleeding or not bleeding isn't mentioned, this is simply an assumption of the reader.

Later, after the Christian congregation was formed, the scriptures continue to tell us to abstain from things strangled and from blood (Acts 15:20, 29, Acts 21:25). Since "abstaining from blood" is included along with strangled animals, (a strangled animal wouldn't be properly bled, as would an animal butchered with its throat cut) this seems to mean abstaining from both eating and other uses. What exactly does "other uses" include? Blood is used for various things: Transfusions, garden fertilizer, pet foods, pest animal deterrants, etc. So does this abstinence include all these things too?

We must remember the bible states that blood poured out from a slaughtered animal was to flow into the soil (Deuteronomy 12:16). We are not to eat the blood because, as seen earlier on this page, the blood contains the life/soul, and all souls belong to God. Since the life/soul taken does not belong to us, we have no right to eat it. Therefore, bloodmeal in plant fertilizer or in pest control that is applied to soil would be proper use for blood, for it has been poured into the ground. What about pet foods? Meat eating pets such as cats, dogs, ferrets, etc. would eat blood along with the meat in their natural setting, that's how God made them to be. The animals weren't given the command to refrain from eating the blood. Therefore, if blood from the meat is included in the pet food, then that should be alright, for it is the way God intended those animals to eat.

Does abstinence from blood also include abstaining from blood transfusions? Again, the only direction the bible gives concerning blood is that it must be poured out onto earth, and yet is only in reference towards killed or dead animals, as shown above. Abstaining from a dead animal's blood shows respect for God's right to the soul/life in the blood, thus we should not be using the blood/life from a dead creature, for it belongs to God -- the giver of life (Psalms 24:1, Isaiah 42:5, 1 Corinthians 10:26). When a living being is finished "using" its life, that life is supposed to be returned back to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This is why we are to pour it into the dirt, for that way we aren't using it for our own purposes.

Coupled with that is the fact that God demands that we deeply respect all life, that we do nothing to cause another's death if we can avoid it. This is shown in that He demanded the Israelites to install safety devices when building (Deuteronomy 22:8), He provided Cities of Refuge for those who caused accidental deaths -- the manslayer was safe from revenge so long as he remained in one of the Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:9-29), and deliberate murderers were to pay for the life they took by losing their own lives (Genesis 9:6, Numbers 35:30-32, 2 Samuel 4:11 ). Yahweh considers all lives to be precious:
Humans in general (Exodus 20:13)
Wealthy men (Job 2:6)
Orphans and widows (Jeremiah 7:7)
Unborn children (Exodus 21:22-23)
Animals (Matthew 10:29).
Therefore, it is illogical that a God who regards life as precious would turn around and demand that we refuse to share of ourselves to help a life continue.

Paralleling this is the fact that God is Love (1 John 4:8), and He demands that we have love amongst ourselves (1 John 4:11,20). The bible also states that out of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest of them all (1 Corinthians 13:13) and Love is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31). What does this have to do with blood transfusions? Some consider it a great act of love to donate their blood to those in medical emergencies, even for strangers. The donor is literally giving some of their own life to another so he or she can continue living. Since nothing is being killed for this procedure, no lives are being taken. Since both the donor and the recipient remain alive, there is no life/soul/blood to return to God. Instead, the precious life that God demands that we respect is being shared in order for a life to continue. Therefore, such ones feel that to withhold blood from someone who needs it would be against God's command to respect life, to love, and that we avoid causing another's death.

Some feel that to donate blood or to accept a transfusion still violates the biblical command to "Abstain from blood" (Acts 15:20, 29). Looking at the context of these verses however, it is seen that these are in reference to, again, an already killed creature, (animal sacrifices to idols). Also, if a person is to insist on complete abstinence, then they must refuse:
All medically based blood tests
Certain vaccinations
Antivenin for snakebites
Blood fractions for medical treatment including hemophilia
Blood glucose testing
Cholesterol testing
Certain prenatal tests
Rhogam treatments
Etc., etc., etc.
To submit to just one of these things is not abstaining from blood, for blood is used for each and every one of these things. Some may say "but so little blood is used for those things, therefore they are exceptions." But is that true? The bible doesn't give any exceptions to quantity -- therefore if one is to believe in total abstinence from blood, then it is an all or nothing deal.

The matter all boils down to bloodguilt: Are we bloodguilty before God if we do donate/ accept a transfusion, or are we bloodguilty if we refuse to give a transfusion? What does the bible state regarding bloodguilt? Here are some scriptures (New World Translation quotes):

Exodus 22:2-3 (“If a thief should be found in the act of breaking in and he does get struck and die, there is no bloodguilt for him. 3 If the sun has shone forth upon him, there is bloodguilt for him.)

Leviticus 17:3-4 As for any man of the house of Israel who slaughters a bull or a young ram or a goat in the camp or who slaughters it outside the camp 4 and does not actually bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to Jehovah before the tabernacle of Jehovah, bloodguilt will be counted to that man. He has shed blood, and that man must be cut off from among his people

Numbers 35:26-27 But if the manslayer without fail goes out of the boundary of his city of refuge to which he may flee, 27 and the avenger of blood does find him outside the boundary of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood does slay the manslayer, he has no bloodguilt.

Deuteronomy 19:10 that no innocent blood may be spilled in the midst of your land that Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance, and no bloodguilt has to be upon you

Deuteronomy 22:8 In case you build a new house, you must also make a parapet for your roof, that you may not place bloodguilt upon your house because someone falling might fall from it.

These are just a few of many. What is the common thread amongst the scriptures? Bloodguilt is always associated with causing an unnecessary death. Bloodguilt is always caused by killing a man or animal wrongfully. Bloodguilt always has to do with causing death, not prolonging life. This makes sense, as it goes along with God's view of the sanctity of life. Never will you find a scripture showing that bloodguilt is associated with saving a life.

So we leave it for you, the reader, to give prayerful consideration to the information presented. Whose law are you following -- something men explained to you, or something the bible itself explains? Research the bible for yourselves, and pray earnestly to Yahweh for understanding and wisdom in the matter. May the Spirit of God fill your heart and give you peace on this subject.