Is meat sacrificed to idols condoned or condemned in Scripture?

[agedman]

Most of us have on occasion used the illustration of Paul concerning the meat sacrificed to idols and the weaker brother.

However does Paul actually release the believer?

To the church of Pergamum:

Revelation 2:14 (NKJV): But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.​

Caution, the church of Pergamum was displeasing because of faulty doctrine that caused believers to stumble and not just what they ate.

This thread is dedicated to what The Christ might hold against us that would cause others to stumble.

 

[agedman]

Note that I used the wrong “meat” in the title. I will appeal to the moderators to correct the error if possible.

 

[JonC]

I think both of Paul's passages about eating meat sacrificed to idols go together (they do not oppose each other).

It is up to the conscious of the believer because idols are nothing. But from my understanding the church in Pergamum was taking up the practices and doctrine of Balaam (mixing paganism with Christianity). So to them idols were not nothing.

 

[37818]

There is also the error of not have the equal. brotherhood in the priesthood of the believer.
Revelation 2,:15 > Scofield note:
Revelation 2:6
Nicolaitanes

From nikao, "to conquer," and laos, "the people," or "laity." There is no ancient authority for a sect of the Nicolaitanes. If the word is symbolic it refers to the earliest form of the notion of a priestly order, or "clergy," which later divided an equal brotherhood Matthew 23:8 into "priests" and "laity." What in Ephesus was "deeds" Revelation 2:6 had become in Pergamos a "doctrine Revelation 2:15.

Nicolaitanes

 

[agedman]

I think both of Paul's passages about eating meat sacrificed to idols go together (they do not oppose each other).

It is up to the conscious of the believer because idols are nothing. But from my understanding the church in Pergamum was taking up the practices and doctrine of Balaam (mixing paganism with Christianity). So to them idols were not nothing.

However, was the Lord not pointing to false doctrine being a stumbling block in Pergamum? In their case it was the doctrine of Ballam.

The question of the thread concerns what other doctrines taught might the Lord find fault?

 

[JonC]

However, was the Lord not pointing to false doctrine being a stumbling block in Pergamum? In their case it was the doctrine of Ballam.

The question of the thread concerns what other doctrines taught might the Lord find fault?

I am not sure what all doctrines may be involved, but my understanding is the church adopted pagan doctrines which were manifested in idolatry and sexual immorality. The difference between the instruction regarding meat is one actually practiced idolatry by eating meat sacrificed to idols and the other just ate meat that had been sacrificed to idols.

Does that make sence? (I fear I am not saying this well).

Today I could connect this to several practices. Some people view observing Christmas as idolatry because they relate it to the Catholic Church or to paganism. Others celebrate Christmas to the glory of God.

 

[agedman]

I am not sure what all doctrines may be involved, but my understanding is the church adopted pagan doctrines which were manifested in idolatry and sexual immorality. The difference between the instruction regarding meat is one actually practiced idolatry by eating meat sacrificed to idols and the other just ate meat that had been sacrificed to idols.

Does that make sence? (I fear I am not saying this well).

Today I could connect this to several practices. Some people view observing Christmas as idolatry because they relate it to the Catholic Church or to paganism. Others celebrate Christmas to the glory of God.

You did good.

I was also considering the various Easter presentations in some ways become so self magnified in presentation when it would be far better to bring such celebrations to the resurrection. Some Easter. Lee rations have become objects of bragging, which makes them close to idolized and idolatrous.

The death is useless without the resurrection. The resurrection and promised return that should be bolstered in the church.

 

[AustinC]

Most of us have on occasion used the illustration of Paul concerning the meat sacrificed to idols and the weaker brother.

However does Paul actually release the believer?

To the church of Pergamum:

Revelation 2:14 (NKJV): But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.​

Caution, the church of Pergamum was displeasing because of faulty doctrine that caused believers to stumble and not just what they ate.

This thread is dedicated to what The Christ might hold against us that would cause others to stumble.

I doubt a book could hold all the things my Savior can hold against me for causing somebody to stumble. So many times that I have acted in ways that put stumbling blocks in place.

I am so glad my sins are paid by the one who rightly can condemn me.