Site Logo

Question #431

Is it a sin to eat a rare steak?

I have read your question and answer # 274 but still would like to know if it is a sin to eat a beef steak that is cooked ‘rare’, as it does contain blood?  My Bible Study group brought this up and we would like your specific answer.

The Answer:

In the answer to Question 274 we have provided all that can be provided from Scripture and have presented both sides of the issue concerning whether the injunction is binding in the Christian dispensation. This question goes beyond that information and asks that we make a personal decision for them. This we are not inclined to do. First, a personal decision is just that – personal. The individual should make it based upon the teaching of scripture. We have provided Scripture’s teaching. Second, the teaching of Scripture is the same for each person. Were we to begin making inquirers’ personal decisions there would be no time to expound the Scripture. Third, there is no assurance the inquirer has provided a full and unbiased account of all information necessary to make a fair decision. Most questions of this nature involve at least one other person from whom no information has been received. Fourth, At least some of the questions are silliness gone to seed. Fifth, some of the questions received are so personal that the answer would be embarrassing.

These comments are not intended to suggest that the inquirers are not sincere good people. They are intended only to explain our reasons for not drifting away from ThyWordIsTruth.com’s primary and only purpose – to proclaim the Word of God.

Finally, the question illustrates a problem that sometimes arises in Bible studies – which participant can create the most minute question. The ancient illustration asked how many angels could dance on the head of a pen. The next question in this case is can all of the blood ever be drained from any slaughtered animal. The final question may be whether cooked blood can be eaten if the steak is well done, although another comes to mind – does cooked blood remain blood, and if so, is it the kind of blood that is meant by the prohibition? Perhaps we have just me ourselves coming back!

Do you have more questions about the Bible? Then you have come to the right place! We have hundreds of answers to submitted questions, we have thousands of pages of detailed notes on Bible books (including Daniel, Zechariah, Revelation, Hosea, and Joel), we have hundreds of audio and video Bible classes, we have thousands of sermons (many in video), and we have much, much more! Please take a few minutes to look around, and don't forget to bookmark the site! Thanks for visiting!

God's Plan of Salvation

You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

You must believe and have faith in God because "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)

You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called "Sinner's Prayer" that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the "Sinner's Prayer" to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)

You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus "Lord of your life." Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just "accept Jesus as your personal savior." We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)

Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God's grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God's grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)