Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 73
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66 LIFE OF PAUL . healthfulmeat. God hadgiventheseinjunctions to theJewsforthepurposeof preservingtheir healthand strength. The Jews consideredit sinfultouse blood as an articleof diet. They consideredthat the blood was the life; and that the shedding of blood was in consequenceof sin. The Gentiles,on thecontrary,practicedcatching the bloodwhich flowedfrom the victimof sacrifice,and drinkingit,or usingitin thepreparationof theirfood. The Jews couldnot change the customswhich they had so long observed, and which theyhad adoptedunder the special directionof God . Therefore, as things then stood, if Jew and Gentile came to eat at the same table, the former would be shocked and outraged by the habitsand manners of the latter. The Gentiles, and especiallythe Greeks,were extremelylicentious; and many , in accepting Christianity, had unitedthe truthtotheirunsanctifiednatures,and continuedtopracticefornication. The Jewish Christians could not toleratesuchimmorality,whichwas notevenregarded as criminalby the Greeks. The Jews ,therefore, held ithighlyproperthatcircumcision,and the observance of the ceremonial law , should be brought to the Gentileconvertsas a testof their sincerityand devotion. Thistheybelievedwould prevent the accessionto the church of thosewho werecarriedaway by merefeeling,orwho adopted the faithwithout a true conversionof heart,and who might afterwarddisgracethecauseby immorality and excesses. The questionsthus brought under theconsiderationof the councilseemed to presentinsurmountabledifficulties,viewedinwhateverlight. But theHolyGhosthad,inreality,alreadyset