Acts 15:29 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, Christians were told not to eat food given to idols, not to eat blood, not to eat animals that were strangled, and not to do naughty things with others. If they followed these rules, they would be doing what is good and right.

Contradiction with 1 Timothy 4:4

This verse states that every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, contradicting the prohibition on consuming things offered to idols in Acts 15:29.

1 Timothy 4:4: For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Contradiction with Colossians 2:16

Here, believers are advised not to let anyone judge them in matters of food and drink, which can be seen as contradicting the dietary restrictions mentioned in Acts 15:29.

Colossians 2:16: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: [in meat...: or, for eating and drinking] [respect: or, part]

Contradiction with Romans 14:14

This verse suggests that nothing is unclean of itself, contradicting the directive in Acts 15:29 to abstain from certain foods.

Romans 14:14: I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean. [unclean: Gr. common]

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 8:8

Paul teaches that food does not bring us closer to God, which contradicts the specific food restrictions in Acts 15:29.

1 Corinthians 8:8: But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. [are we the better: or, have we the more] [are we the worse: or, have we the less]

Contradiction with Mark 7:18-19

Jesus declares all foods clean, contradicting the specific dietary prohibitions in Acts 15:29.

Mark 7:18-19: Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Paradox #1

Acts 15:29 advises early Christians to avoid eating food sacrificed to idols, consuming blood, and engaging in certain immoral acts. A contradiction or inconsistency could arise with this rule when compared to Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 8, where he suggests that eating food sacrificed to idols is permissible if it doesn't violate a person's conscience or cause others to stumble. This reflects different views within early Christianity on how strictly to follow Jewish dietary laws.

Paradox #2

Acts 15:29 advises abstaining from certain practices, but one potential contradiction is that it imposes dietary restrictions and behavioral rules that seem to conflict with the broader message of freedom and grace in other New Testament teachings. Some see this as inconsistent with the idea that faith, rather than specific actions or rules, is what brings someone close to God.