by Lee Elder, Executive Director - AJWRB | Jun 10, 2026 | Bioethics & Medical Ethics, Clinical Guidance & Practice, Hematology & Biomedical Science, Historical Policy Evolution, Institutional Policy & Watchtower Reform, JW Crisis Management, Patient Management, Scriptural & Theological Analysis
Many Jehovah’s Witnesses sincerely believe that it is a gross sin to accept a blood transfusion, since the Bible states that we must “abstain from blood.” (Acts 15:29) It is quite understandable that many are confused by the position taken by the...
by Lee Elder, Executive Director - AJWRB | Jun 7, 2026 | Biblical History, Scriptural & Theological Analysis, Theological Analysis
The Watchtower Society (hereafter WTS) claims that Christians must abstain from certain types of blood transfusions and that the early Christian church understood this as a universal rule. Considering that the Greek Scriptures or New Testament doesn’t expressly...
by Lee Elder, Executive Director - AJWRB | May 17, 2026 | Biblical History, Scriptural & Theological Analysis, Theological Analysis
The final and most relevant texts cited by the Watchtower Society (WTS) in support of its blood doctrine are those from Acts chapter fifteen and twenty-one that deal with the issue of circumcision and the Mosaic Law. Again, let’s start by reviewing the...
by Lee Elder, Executive Director - AJWRB | May 17, 2026 | Biblical History, Scriptural & Theological Analysis, Theological Analysis
The next major set of texts used by the WTS Society in support of its teaching on blood are those found in the Mosaic Law and recorded in the books of Leviticus, Deuteronomy and First Samuel. Let’s start by reviewing them along with the society’s comments...
by Lee Elder, Executive Director - AJWRB | May 17, 2026 | Biblical History, Scriptural & Theological Analysis, Theological Analysis
In this section we will focus on the first major Bible text that addresses blood. Its found in the first book of the Bible and is quoted below: (Genesis 9:3-7) Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for YOU. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give...
by Lee Elder, Executive Director - AJWRB | May 17, 2026 | Biblical History, Scriptural & Theological Analysis, Theological Analysis
Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to follow the Bible as the ultimate authority. Historically, they have found their understanding of the scriptures needs to be adjusted from time to time. In recent decades the Watchtower (hereafter WTS) has ruled that Jehovah’s...
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