Affirms
No prohibition; standard medical care is accepted
Churches of Christ have no prohibition on blood transfusions or any other standard medical procedure. The movement has no distinctive health theology that would restrict medical care. Members are free to make full use of conventional medicine, and there is no teaching that connects blood transfusions to Acts 15 dietary prohibitions on consuming blood.
Churches of Christ distinguish themselves sharply from Jehovah's Witnesses on this point. The Acts 15:28-29 injunction against blood is understood as a dietary and social accommodation for Jewish-Gentile relations in the early church, not a prohibition on medical transfusions, which were unknown in the first century.
Key Distinctions
- Official position:
- permitted — no religious prohibition on blood transfusions
- Scriptural basis:
- Acts 15:29 understood as dietary rule, not medical; love of neighbour supports medical care
Scripture References
Sources
- Gospel Advocate (official publication)