What Is Blood For?

Published in Pasugo, Jul-Aug 1989


THE BIBLE SPEAKS of blood not to be eaten. In fact, the Bible strictly forbids the eating of it. Yet a lot of people take blood for nourishment. In Europe, for instance, not a few take it as food with delight. In the past, ancient Romans literally drink blood to regain youth and vitality. For them, eating or drinking blood is delightful and healthful.

But the law of God against the eating of blood is clear and the penalty annexed to it is very severe. God dos not allow man to take blood as food. He created and designed it for a definite purpose which man should uphold.

Blood Is Life

This truly amazing red fluid circulates in the vascular system of human beings and most multi-cellular animals. Hence blood is life. The Bible says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11, King James Version). Biological sciences confirm it. Blood supplies nourishment (nutrition) and transports oxygen (respiration) to all parts of the body. It carries away waste products (excretion) and safeguards the body against foreign and disease-producing organisms (protection against infection). It also functions in the water balance and in the regulation of body temperature and body activity (Encyclopedia International, Vol. III, p. 73). The absence or lack of it could render man lifeless or in a deficient condition. Because of its fundamental importance for the individual’s existence, blood is frequently used as a synonym for life. Hence, the prohibition.

Its Atoning Value

Another reason given by the Bible for this law prohibiting the eating of blood is that, blood is used as atonement for man’s soul. Animal blood was used (man is supposed to die for his sin) as a sacrifice to atone for man’s sin (so that man might live and not suffer death). Thus, blood served as a ransom or counterprice for it. The same was echoed in the letter to the Hebrews, “without shedding blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22, KJV). Blood, therefore, is not intended as food but as atonement for man’s soul. For this reason too, it should not be eaten.

Period of Observance

The prohibition on the eating of blood dates back to the time of the patriarchs:

“And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all the moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” (Gen. 9:1-4, Ibid.)

This prohibition continued into the time of God’s ancient people, the Israelites:

“Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike. Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.” (Deut. 12:22-23, Ibid.)

The prohibition has never been revoked in the Christian dispensation but has been confirmed in the New Testament:

“But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollution of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts. 15:20, Ibid.)

Apostle James, moved by the power of the Holy Spirit gave this decision on the matter of blood although it was the issue of circumcision that caused the meeting of the Apostles in Jerusalem. Hence, and administrative circular containing such decision was sent to all Christian congregations to be observed (Acts 16:4) and the Christians of the first-century Church gladly obeyed (Acts 21:25), as it is observed today by faithful Christians, the members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, all over the world.

Shadow of Reality

Though in the Christian era it was the blood of Christ which was shed to atone for man’s sin, and not animal blood, the prohibition still goes on and has never been lifted. In fact, the first-century Church observed such prohibition (Acts 21:25).

Animal offerings done before by the people of Israel were a shadow of the reality or of a good thing to come, that is, Christ’s offering of Himself. Animal blood prefigured Christ’s blood. Christ’s sacrifice, however, was far greater, attests Apostle Paul:

“…How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14, KJV)

It is the blood of Christ that cleanses man of his dead works or sins, and gives him the right to serve God. Man is not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ (I Pt. 1:18-19, Ibid.).

There are people or religions that do not eat blood, but do not benefit likewise from the redemptive blood of Christ. It is because they are not purchased by the blood of Christ. Unknown to many and contrary to other’s belief, the beneficiary of the blood of Christ is the Church of Christ as testified by Apostle Paul:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

The Penalty

Because God strictly forbids the eating of blood, any offender is going to pay for the price. He who eats blood of any beast or fowl will be “cut off from among his people.” God will also set his face against him who eats blood (Lev. 17:9-10).

So, those who take blood as part of their diet are not recognized by God as His people for God’s people do not eat blood. And if he who eats blood happens to be among God’s people, he will be “cut off” or expelled from God’s organization. Man should not allow this to happen. In the first place, he has no reason to eat what has been forbidden by God. Since the time of Adam and Eve, God has provided man with food. The Lord said to Adam, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat” (Gen. 2:16). He made it clear, however, what is not to eat – the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God warned him also that the moment he eats the forbidden fruit, he will surely die (Gen. 2:17).

Unfortunately, he did against God’s advice. Adam, together with his wife, was driven away from the Garden of Eden. Thus, man was alienated from God.

Until now, God continues to provide man with the food he needs for survival. He made it clear, however, that blood should not be taken as food. Come what may, man should uphold this. It is only by obeying that man can show his gratitude and prove his love to his Creator.