Definition and Context
Idol-sacrifices refer to offerings made to idols, which are representations of false gods. In the ancient world, idol worship was prevalent among many cultures surrounding Israel, and these sacrifices were a central part of pagan religious practices. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against participating in such practices, as they were called to worship the one true God, Yahweh.

Old Testament References
The Old Testament contains numerous prohibitions against idol worship and sacrifices. In Exodus 20:3-5 , God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." This commandment underscores the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people.

In Deuteronomy 32:17 , the Israelites are reminded of their past transgressions: "They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." This verse highlights the spiritual danger and the reality of demonic influence behind idol worship.

New Testament Considerations
The issue of idol-sacrifices is addressed in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the early Christian church, which was situated in a predominantly pagan society. The Apostle Paul provides guidance on this matter in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. In 1 Corinthians 8:4 , Paul states, "So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one."

However, Paul also warns against causing others to stumble by eating such food. In 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 , he advises, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak... Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."

In 1 Corinthians 10:19-21 , Paul further elaborates, "Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons."

The Jerusalem Council
The early church faced the challenge of integrating Gentile converts who were accustomed to idol worship. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, addressed this issue. The council concluded that Gentile believers should abstain from certain practices, including food sacrificed to idols. Acts 15:28-29 states, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality."

Theological Implications
Idol-sacrifices represent a fundamental conflict between the worship of the one true God and the worship of false gods. The biblical narrative consistently portrays idol worship as a grave sin that leads to spiritual adultery and separation from God. The New Testament expands on this by emphasizing the spiritual reality behind idols and the importance of maintaining a clear witness to the faith, avoiding any association with idolatry that might lead others astray.

Practical Application
For contemporary believers, the issue of idol-sacrifices may not be as directly relevant as it was in the first-century context. However, the principles derived from the biblical teaching on this topic remain applicable. Christians are called to discernment, ensuring that their actions do not compromise their witness or lead others into sin. The call to exclusive worship of God and the rejection of any form of idolatry remains a central tenet of the Christian faith.

Argument: Christians Abstain from Things Connected with Idol ...
... Chapter XXXVIII."Argument: Christians Abstain from Things Connected with
Idol Sacrifices... Chapter XXXVIII."Argument: Christians ...
/.../chapter xxxviii argument christians abstain from.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 1
... of so much trouble and danger [100] . "For why," saith he, "speak of the
idol sacrifices? Since although Christ had enjoined that ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 1 cor ix.htm

1 Cor. x. 25
... as is natural, thou sparest, and dost not suffer us to taste for their sakes, lest
their conscience being weak might be emboldened to eat the idol sacrifices. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 1 cor x.htm

'Love Buildeth Up'
... of that principle on his argument seems to be to reduce the importance of the whole
question, and to suggest that, since eating of idol sacrifices could not be ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/love buildeth up.htm

Epistles to the Seven Churches.
... there those, who hold fast the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast an
enticement to sin before the children of Israel: to eat idol-sacrifices, and to ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/epistles to the seven churches.htm

1 Cor. xi. 2
... Having completed the discourse concerning the idol-sacrifices as became him, and
having rendered it most perfect in all respects, he proceeds to another thing ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 1 cor xi.htm

The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ...
... having seduced them from a grave mode of life, and by their beauty ensnared them
in wanton delights, they made them insane upon idol sacrifices and strange ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the mosaic law the.htm

1 Cor. xii. 12
... but if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her?" (1 Corinthians 11:14, 15.)
And when he spake concerning the idol-sacrifices, forbidding to touch them, he ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxx 1 cor xii.htm

1 Cor. xi. 17
... But in giving you this charge, I praise you not." And here is the reason why he
placed it not after the rebuke of them that eat the idol-sacrifices. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvii 1 cor xi.htm

St. Paul Preached no New God, when He Announced the Repeal of Some ...
... [2570] Some disputed about eating idol sacrifices, others about the veiled dress
of women, others again about marriage and divorce, and some even about the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxi st paul preached no.htm

Idol-sacrifices (3 Occurrences)
Idol-sacrifices. Idol's, Idol-sacrifices. Idol-worship .
Multi-Version Concordance Idol-sacrifices (3 Occurrences). ...
/i/idol-sacrifices.htm - 7k

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)
... Some, from force of habit in relation to the idol, even now eat idolsacrifices
as such, and their consciences, being but weak, are polluted. (WEY). ...
/s/sacrifices.htm - 39k

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)
... who have believed, we have written, having given judgment, that they observe no
such thing, except to keep themselves both from idol-sacrifices, and blood, and ...
/w/whoredom.htm - 24k

Believers (50 Occurrences)
... who have believed, we have written, having given judgment, that they observe no
such thing, except to keep themselves both from idol-sacrifices, and blood, and ...
/b/believers.htm - 21k

Eating (151 Occurrences)
... thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam, who did teach Balak to cast
a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices, and to ...
/e/eating.htm - 38k

Jez'ebel (19 Occurrences)
... dost suffer the woman Jezebel, who is calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and
to lead astray, my servants to commit whoredom, and idol-sacrifices to eat ...
/j/jez'ebel.htm - 11k

Israelites (468 Occurrences)
... thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam, who did teach Balak to cast
a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices, and to ...
/i/israelites.htm - 35k

Idol-worship (2 Occurrences)
Idol-worship. Idol-sacrifices, Idol-worship. Idol-worshipper . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Idol-sacrifices, Idol-worship. Idol-worshipper . Reference Bible
/i/idol-worship.htm - 7k

Idol's (1 Occurrence)

/i/idol's.htm - 6k

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