What is the Orthodox understanding of this verse?

[Orthodox Andrew]

Act 15:29 (http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Act&chapter=15&verse=29&version=kjv)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.

[MariaRegina]

My priest explained it this way:

This was a church canon from the Council at Jerusalem as told in Acts. It was written to clear up some confusion generated by the Judaizers. The early Christian converts were told that they did not need to follow the Mosaic law as taught by the Judaizers.

As long as the new converts abstained from meats offered to the pagan gods, from blood, from things that were strangled, and from fornication, they were on the right path.

[Tsarina]

Aria, does that mean that the law still applies now?

[MariaRegina]

No one asked the priest, but we had a good and heated discussion about this canon not to long ago here at TAW.

People wanted to know about going to a Chinese restaurant where the proprietors often offer the food to Buddha.

[MariaRegina]

Isn't there a product called blood sausage?

[Dust and Ashes]

Isn't there a product called blood sausage?

Yes, blood is placed in a "skin" and the solids settle in one end, which is then eaten. That's my understanding of how it's made, anyway. :sick:

[Tsarina]

No one asked the priest, but we had a good and heated discussion about this canon not to long ago here at TAW.

People wanted to know about going to a Chinese restaurant where the proprietors often offer the food to Buddha.

I bet that good and heated 'discussion' turned into a blood bath debate. I'm kidding, lols. :P However, i would be interested to know what was being said in that thread.

Furthermore, the people who wanted to know about going to the Chinese restaurant, what was told to them? If i can remember this, i will ask my Priest.

[Tsarina]

Yes, blood is placed in a "skin" and the solids settle in one end, which is then eaten. That's my understanding of how it's made, anyway. :sick:

Ew!

I have enough trouble smelling meat, i'm not a big fan. Blood? I'm outta here.

Speaking of this remindes me of a Professor that i knew, he ate Black Pudding. :eek:

[eoe]

Black Pudding.
Same thing.

As long as the new converts abstained from meats offered to the pagan gods, from blood, from things that were strangled, and from fornication, they were on the right path.
The way I understand it (seeing as the food rules were later repealed) was that these things proved that the prospective member had really given up his or her pagan roots.

[Oblio]

It was my understanding also that it was directed at pagan temple practices.

[MariaRegina]

Same thing.


The way I understand it (seeing as the food rules were later repealed) was that these things proved that the prospective member had really given up his or her pagan roots.


When was it repealed?

[eoe]

When was it repealed?
BAH! Now you are going to go make me back stuff up....^_^

Be right back....

edit: here ya go:
(1 Corinthians 8:1) Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

(1 Corinthians 8:2) And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

(1 Corinthians 8:3) But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

(1 Corinthians 8:4) As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

(1 Corinthians 8:5) For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

(1 Corinthians 8:6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

(1 Corinthians 8:7) Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

(1 Corinthians 8:8) But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

(1 Corinthians 8:9) But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

(1 Corinthians 8:10) For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

(1 Corinthians 8:11) And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

(1 Corinthians 8:12) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

(1 Corinthians 8:13) Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.


Here he is saying - you can do it. Just be careful that you do not cause someone to stumble because of it.

Also - Christ himself said that nothing that you eat can defiile you.

All of this leads me to to the conclusion that these laws in acts were designed to prevent the pagans from reverting. If they were to eat meat offered to idols then
it would have been a stumbling block. For someone that knows that the idol is, in fact, nothing - it is not an issue.

[Theophorus]

I think the context is of blatant paganism. Here Paul shows the context. Basically he says, don't go looking for trouble, imo.

1 Cor 10:
14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.