“For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things: to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper. Good health to you!” – Acts 15:28, 29
In the brochure WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF US? – on page 24, Lesson 12 “Showing Respect for Life and Blood” the Watchtower society states the following:
“Is it wrong to accept a blood transfusion? Remember, Jehovah requires that we abstain from blood. This means that we must not take into our bodies in any way at all other people’s blood or even our own blood that has been stored. (Acts 21:25) So true Christians will not accept a blood transfusion. They will accept other kinds of medical treatment, such as transfusion of nonblood products. They want to live, but they will not try to save their life by breaking God’s laws.—Matthew 16:25.
Now, this is a very liberal interpretation of Acts 21:25 which reads: “But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
The Apostle is addressing the idea that Gentile converts are not obligated to follow the Jewish Law. Being a Jew himself, the Apostle had the right to purify himself, as he clearly did in verse 26, if he came into contact with blood or ate meat offered to idols. He did this not because he believed it was necessary for his salvation, but to accommodate his Jewish brethren who had not yet understood this issue. In contrast, the Gentiles were not bound by such a requirement. The discussion begins in verse 19, and verse 25 emphasizes that “they observe no such thing” because they’re not subject to the Law. If Gentiles were to practice Jewish Law ceremonies and rituals, it would suggest they were relying on those practices for their salvation rather than fully depending on the value of Christ’s sacrifice.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses commonly refer to Gen. 9:4 where Noah is told, “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” The New World Translation reads, “… flesh with its soul— its blood—you must not eat.” It seems they’ve taken great liberty reading into these text things that are just not there. The blood spoken of is that of lower animals, which of course would have nothing to do with transfusions. We can find agreement on the incentive not to drink or eat blood, or eat raw meat, but taking human blood, whether one’s own or another’s, for medical purposes is stretching the point of this Scripture.
In their publications the Society use to “prove” their point, such scriptures as Lev. 7:26-27; 17:10-14; Deut. 12:15, 16, 23, 27; and 1 Samuel 14:32-34—but in each of these cases they clearly refer only to the blood of lower animals. They do “claim” however, that 1 Chron. 11:17-19 is a proof that human blood is included. This is the occasion when three of David’s men risked their lives to get him a drink of water, and he couldn’t drink it in light of the danger they had placed themselves in to obtain it, stating, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” (v. 19). It’s evident that there’s no connection between this passage and those previously regarding drinking animal blood, and also that David here is speaking not of ingesting real human blood at all, but using a figure of speech. He appreciated the efforts of these faithful, and wouldn’t take advantage of them for his own advantage, and poured out the water as a drink offering to the Lord on their behalf, symbolically speaking, he refused to drink their blood.
Lev. 17:11 states, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” One of the main reasons for Jehovah’s prohibition against eating the blood of those lower animals is that it had been reserved for typical sacrifices to make typical atonement, as Hebrews 9:22 tells us for “without the shedding of blood there is no remission”. Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:1 that the “Law was a shadow of better things to come”. He goes on to state in verse 4, “for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins”. Then speaking of Jesus he continues in verses 9 and 10 “Lo, I come to do Your will O God, He takes away the first (the type) that He may establish the second (the antitype), by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. So the Apostle’s point is clearly understood, that the blood, whether in the symbol of a type or in the actuality of what that type pointed to, was precious in the sight of God.
Since there are no Scriptures that directly address this issue, let’s explore the principles found in God’s Word for guidance. In Leviticus 17:14, it states, “the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life”, suggesting that blood’s primary role is to provide life to every part of the body. The blood carries the life-principle, referred to as “the life” in verses 11 and 14, as well as in Deuteronomy 12:23. If someone’s life is waning and a suitable donor gives blood, it’s reasonable to believe this could slow their decline and prolong their life. I understand that a blood transfusion can only extend the life of someone who is otherwise dying, still affected by the curse. This isn’t comparable to Jesus’ sacrifice; only His blood, representing the value of His human life given as a ransom for Adam and humanity, offers everlasting life as 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22 tells us.
It’s not a sin for a Christians to donate blood for someone in need, just as it’s not wrong to lose blood while protecting another from harm. Christians should remember their commitment to God as Galatians 6:10 tells us to strive to do good for everyone, especially for fellow believers. Additionally, we’re encouraged to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters, particularly in strengthening each other in faith 1 John 3:16 tells us “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 Tim. 5:8 reminds us “if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Therefore, if a family member, close relative, fellow believer, or friend is in urgent need of blood to survive, there’s no biblical reason preventing a us from donating. While some may feel uneasy about giving blood for another’s benefit, it’s misleading for any organization to claim that the Scriptures teach against such acts, suggesting that God’s people must avoid this practice.