Pig Blood is Back - Can We Eat It?

After 27 years of being off the shelves, pig blood products have made a comeback to supermarkets and restaurants in Singapore. Animal blood food products had previously been prohibited in Singapore due to the 1999 Nipah virus outbreak. With the comeback of such food, what should be the Christian response? Can we eat such?

Symbolism of Blood

Under the Law of Moses, the Israelites were prohibited from eating blood. They were warned that those who ate blood would be cut off from among the people (Leviticus 17:10). The rationale for this command was also given:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11)

Blood represents life. Today, we know how important blood is for our survival. More importantly, there is a spiritual connection to this symbolism. God has designed for blood to be used for the purpose of atonement. The Israelites were dead in their sins (Ephesians 2:1). The sacrifice of animals, with the life-giving blood, would serve to atone for the sins of the people. In fact, remission of sins is impossible without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Since blood has such an important redemptive purpose, it is not something to be enjoyed for consumptive purposes!

Under the Christian age, we no longer offer animal sacrifices. It has been revealed to us that the blood of animals could not completely take away our sins (Hebrews 10:1-4). Today, we are redeemed by the blood of Christ, the perfect Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus’ one-time sacrifice was sufficient to completely remove our sins (Hebrews 10:10). While we do not see His sacrifice today, we partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to remember His body and blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Hence, the role of blood for atonement continues to remain significant today.

Sustained Prohibition

The prohibition concerning eating blood was not limited only to the Law of Moses. During Noah’s time, when God first instructed man to eat meat, this prohibition was already put into place:

“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” (Genesis 9:3-4)

Hence, from the Patriarchal age to the Mosaic age, God’s people were prohibited from consuming blood. Even under the Christian age, this prohibition continues to stand. This is evident at the conclusion of the Jerusalem discussion:

“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well” (Acts 15:28-29)

Hence, it can be seen that the prohibition concerning eating blood has been consistently applied from the Patriarchal age, to the Mosaic age, and even till today.

Scrutinizing Acts 15:28-29

Some have objected that the instructions in Acts 15:28-29 are not binding on us today. It is argued that, since food offered to idols is not sinful, then eating blood is not sinful as well. The instructions in Acts 15:28-29 are, supposedly, merely cultural guidelines for the Gentiles during those times. Is such an argument reasonable?

First, it ought to be noticed that the instructions in Acts 15:28-29 include abstinence from fornication. Fornication is, obviously, not a cultural guideline but a clear-cut sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18). The Gentile Christians were commanded to abstain from fornication and eating of blood. Today, we must continue to abstain from fornication and eating of blood.

How then does food offered to idols fit in with the rest of the prohibitions? Indeed, the apostle Paul would argue that food offered to idols is not inherently sinful, since the idol is nothing (1 Corinthians 8:1-4). Hence, such food that is sold in the market could be bought for consumption, no questions asked (1 Corinthians 10:25). However, there are occasions when Christians should avoid eating such food. Firstly, if it goes against our conscience, we should abstain (1 Corinthians 8:7, 10-11). Secondly, if it causes a stumbling block to our brethren, we should abstain (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). Thirdly, if an unbeliever were to host a meal, and he reveals to us that the food was previously offered to idols, we should abstain for his conscience’s sake (1 Corinthians 10:28-30). Fourthly, we should never partake of such food with the idolators during their feasts and celebrations, lest we provoke God to jealousy (1 Corinthians 10:20-22).

Evidently, therefore, the food offered to idols in Acts 15:28-29 refers to partaking of food offered to idols during the idolatrous festivities. This might have been a common practice for many Gentiles prior to their conversion. However, after becoming Christians, we can no longer partake of such food with our unbelieving friends during their festivities, lest we provoke the Lord to jealousy (1 Corinthians 10:20-22). We need to beware, for it would be sinful for the children of light to fellowship with the children of darkness (1 Corinthians 10:20-22).

If there were any doubt, it should be noted that the instructions in Acts 15:28-29 are not merely human guidelines but directives from the Holy Spirit. God Himself has deemed these things to be “necessary” for all Christians to abide by. Therefore, it is clear that Christians today must continue to abstain from the consumption of blood.

Concluding remarks

Today, Christians ought to abstain from eating blood based on God’s directives. Since blood symbolizes atonement, it is something to be cherished rather than to be put into our mouths. As blood products enter the supermarkets and restaurants in Singapore, we may face situations where we have meals with our unbelieving friends, and blood products are served on the table. We would do well to be watchful and wary so that we do not ignorantly put something untoward into our mouths. Let us continue to keep ourselves pure and holy.