Explicitly forbidden as food
Blood
One of the clearest and longest-standing dietary commands in Scripture.
Biblical command← Food Guide
Where it appears in Scripture
Genesis 9:4 to Noah, Leviticus 17:10-14 to Israel, and Acts 15:29 to Gentile believers.
What Scripture says
- Do not eat blood.
- The reason given is that life is in the blood, and blood makes atonement.
- The apostolic letter in Acts 15 keeps this restriction.
What Scripture does NOT say
- The revealed reason is theological: life belongs to God, and blood is bound to atonement.
- Blood transfusion is a present-day question that should be considered separately, prayerfully and with careful counsel rather than read into this passage.
New Testament context
Acts 15 includes abstaining from blood in the apostolic letter to Gentile believers. Christians differ over how the command relates to fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers, yet the text itself deserves careful attention rather than dismissal or fear-based invention.
Common misconceptions
- "The command is merely an ancient hygiene rule." Scripture's stated reasons concern life, atonement, holiness and apostolic fellowship.
- "Any medical use of blood is the same act as eating blood." The biblical commands speak about consuming blood as food and do not address modern medical procedures.