2.4 Behavior
- Converts are asked to observe a minimum standard of behavior when first participating in the covenant community.
- You will do well to avoid these things (Acts 15:29).
- Observing these minimal requirements will allow you to learn from the covenant community in how to apply the rest of the Torah (Acts 15:21).
- These prohibitions are not intended to make it difficult for new converts to turn to HaShem (Acts 15:19), as they do form a minimum behavioral standard so that participation in the community can be engaged fully.
- As such, mercy is expected when a new convert is still doing these things at home, but these prohibitions should certainly be enforced whenever believers within the covenant community come together, and should certainly be expected as the behavior of mature believers
- 2.4.1 Keep from engaging in idol sacrifices.
- This means to abstain not only from the worship of idols, but also to abstain from pagan forms of worship. (Ex 20:3)
- 2.4.1.1 Abstain from food sacrificed to idols.
- This includes abstaining from eating meat sacrificed to idols.
- 2.4.1.2 Abstain from pagan forms of worship.
- This includes abstaining from all forms of pagan worship practices, such as the known pagan traditions of Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. Pagan forms of worship adopted into the worship of HaShem is expressly prohibited by HaShem in the Torah (Deut 12:4). Biblical forms of worship of HaShem are expressly commanded such as Pesach, Bikkurim, Shavuot, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippor, and Sukkot, and thus these biblical forms of worship are encouraged by the covenant community.
- 2.4.2 Keep from eating blood.
- This means that blood is unfit for consumption in any form.
- 2.4.2.1 Abstain from foods containing blood or blood derivatives.
- Eating only kosher slaughtered meats, and kosher labeled wines, or any other food with an approved hescher (kosher symbol) is recommended.
- 2.4.3 Keep from meat strangled.
- This means that meat that has been strangled (often resulting in blood still in the meat) is unfit for consumption.
- 2.4.3.1 Abstain from aged meats.
- Eating only kosher slaughtered meats with an approved hescher (kosher symbol) is recommended.
- 2.4.4 Keep from fornication.
- It bears repeating here: do not have sex outside of marriage. (Ex 32:6, Lev 19:20, Deut 22:13-21)
- 2.4.4.1 Do not commit adultery.
- Don't have sex with a married person who is not your spouse, nor dwell on thoughts of such. (Ex 20:14, Deut 5:18, Matt 5:28)
- 2.4.4.2 Do not engage in pornography.
- Don't engage in masturbation, nor dwell on thoughts of such. (Lev 15:16, Lev 15:31-33, Matt 15:19)
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