The original diet of mankind and the Old Testament Dietary Laws, do they still apply?

[phipps]

Genesis 1:29, And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

The Original diet God designed for mankind was 'every herb [plant] bearing seed, every fruit of the tree yielding seed,' that is, the parts of plants containing seed, i.e. fruits, nuts, grains and pulses, but not plants themselves, not vegetables. (But animals were to eat every green plant, Genesis 1:30.)

After mankind sinned, God added something extra to our diet. Genesis 3:18, "...and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;" So as well as the seed, man was to cultivate the plants themselves, vegetables, leaves, stalks, flowers and roots, for food. Why this was so God hasn't revealed. Certainly some green vegetables, like cabbage, have powerful healing effects. The experience of Daniel and his three friends, which in only ten days showed them healthier than the others, proves that the diet God provided is the right one. Daniel 1:8-16.

God permitted man to eat meat after the flood because of the destruction it caused. Genesis 9:1-3. God had already showed Noah which animals were clean and which animals were not fit to eat when He brought the animals to the ark. God foresaw that it would take time for plants to grow after the flood. So that's why He told Noah to take the animals fit to eat by sevens and two of each of the animals not fit to eat. Genesis 7:1-2.

Just as not all plants are safe to eat, so not all animals are suitable for food. God gave a simple rule to help us know which animals are fit to eat. The clean animals have cloven hoofs and chew the cud. Although pigs have cloven hooves, they do not chew the cud so are unfit to eat, while horses have neither cloven hooves nor chew the cud so should never be eaten. Cows, sheep and deer have cloven hooves and chew the cud, so are clean meat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

If we do eat meat we should never eat the blood, Genesis 9:4 and fat, Leviticus 3:17. For this reason Orthodox Jews will only eat meat that has been drained of blood. A doctor will tell you dead blood is very poisonous because the blood carries toxic waste away to the kidneys. Cooking meat doesn't remove it. It simply evaporates the fluid, leaving the poisonous residue behind. Acts 15:20, 29 shows that the early church were led by the Holy Spirit to teach the gentiles that blood should not be eaten. Doctors now understand that fat is not good for the heart and circulation. God's word taught long ago what doctors have relatively recently just started to teach. Because of the way animals are slaughtered today, it is wiser to avoid eating meat altogether because of the amount of blood left in the meat sold at the butchers.

God also warned against eating water-creatures ( without fins and scales), birds (birds of prey and web footed birds) and insects (those which don't have jointed legs above their feet and don't hope), that are not fit to eat too.

A lot of Christians say that the lists of clean and unclean animals are just for Jews. But there were no Jews on Noah's ark when God told him about what clean and unclean animals will go into the ark. So in the early days, God instructed them in the concept of “clean” and “unclean” animals. The list predates the laws of Moses, therefore applying to all humanity, not just one particular group.

Acts 10 is quoted by many Christians who say that God told Peter to eat unclean animals in his vision and so its alright not to follow the dietary laws of the Old testament.

A) Cornelius, a Gentile, received a vision instructing him to send for Peter.

B) Peter also received a vision before Cornelius’ men came to his home. He “saw heaven opened” and a sheet descending “down to the earth.”i It was filled with unclean animals, creeping things, and fowls (Acts 10:11-12).

C) When Peter is told to “kill, and eat” he says, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). Peter was never taught by Jesus to eat anything “common or unclean.” He can’t believe the Lord would tell him to do this.

D) “Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean” (Acts 10:17). If the Lord literally told him to eat unclean animals, why would he doubt? Wouldn’t the change in dietary laws be obvious? Peter doubted because he realized the vision was symbolic—not referring to literal unclean animals.

E) When Peter came to Cornelius’ home, he realized, “God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28, emphasis added). The Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles just as He had been given to the Jews on Pentecost. Peter learned that the Gospel message was meant for all the world, not just the Jews. The vision was not about dietary laws, but about giving the message to all—because no one has to be considered “unclean,” or unreachable by Christ’s redemption. The vision used unclean creatures as symbols of Gentile nations now called to come to God through the Gospel. Peter's vision shows us that Jesus did not abolish clean and unclean.

God has shown us about diet and lifestyle in the Bible because He is concerned about our welfare. The Bible teachings on diet have since been confirmed by scientific research. Although God gives us good advice and plenty of proof that what He shows us is true, He allows us to decide for ourselves. But we must live with the results of our decisions.

I grew up in Africa and we would pick which animals we wanted slaughtered and they were slaughtered by having their throats slit so they could bleed out just like the Jews and Muslims do. The way animals are slaughtered in the western country I live in, too much blood is left in the flesh. Its never pleasant watching an animal die or even thinking about it, but if we choose to eat meat (clean meat), we have to accept that the animals are going to die for us to enjoy the meant. And how it dies is important too. we must try to remove most of the blood and fat from the meat like the Orthodox Jews.

I am in the process of changing my diet to a plant based one because of the many diseases in farm animals too. Living in the west, we never know if we are eating healthy animals or not. A plant based diet unclogs our bodies and minds. The Bible tells us that our bodies are to be the temple for the Holy Spirit. So we are to glorify God in our bodies as well as our spiritual life. That includes what we eat and how we look after our bodies.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

[Karlysymon]

I believe the dietary laws still apply because this is man's health that is of concern. Sick people cannot advance God's kingdom.

On the other hand, i think its just prudent to give up animal produce, in this day and age unless you are absolutely certain of its source.

 

[phipps]

Getting the Pork Out

The Bible tells us in Leviticus 11:7 that pork is an unclean food. God also told His people, “Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you” (Leviticus 11:8). “Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Do you know what foods pork is found in? You might be surprised! While it’s easy to avoid pork chops, ham, and bacon, few of us realize how clever the food industry is in adding pork to our diets in the form of gelatin.


Gelatin in Foods

Where does it come from?
Gelatin is manufactured from collagen derived from animal carcasses. Leiner Davis Gelatin in Davenport, Iowa claims to have the largest gelatin manufacturing plant in the northern hemisphere. Their website states that they use the skin of pork and beef to make gelatin. The Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe website claims that they also use the bones of these animals.

What is it used in?
Gelatin is used in a variety of ways by the food industries. According to Leiner Davis Gelatin, it can be used as a gelling agent, thickener, film former, adhesive agent, stabilizer, or whipping agent. Another website states that gelatin is used in hard capsules, soft gels, plasma expanders, tablet binders and coatings, and vaccine stabilizers as well as numerous consumer food applications. The Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe websitealso indicates the major food uses for gelatin are jelly, bakery, meat products, fish products, confectionery, ice cream, alcoholic and soft drinks, dairy products, and yellow fats and spreads.

So, generally speaking, gelatin may be an ingredient in any processed food product on the market today, especially those with a chewy consistency or requiring thickeners and gravies. They are often listed as mono- and diglycerides on nutrition labels.


Products Containing Gelatin

Here are some of the foods that contain gelatin:

Confectionery products such as jubes, wine gums, and pastilles; aerated confections such as marshmallows, nougat, marshmallow-meringues, and biscuit and wafer fillings; sugar-pulled confectionery such as fruit chews, milk caramels, toffees, cream pastes, and licorice; compressed tablets; and lozenges. This includes frostings, icings, and bakery glazes as well.

Dairy products such as yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, cheese spreads, pudding, molded creams and custards, mousse, chiffons and soufflés, ice cream, water ices, milk ices and novelties, thickened cream, and margarine.

Gelatin Desserts such as “Jell-O.”

Meat Products such as cooked ham, canned meat products, aspics, sausage, decorative jellies, and glazes for meats.
Gelatin also has other food application such as gelling of canned seafood products; micro-encapsulation of flavors, colors, and vitamins; stabilizing of cream fillings for frozen baked products; protein enrichment of foods such as beverages and dietetic products; film forming in panned chewing gum varieties; coating of fruits meats and delicatessen items; thickening and emulsifying soups, sauces, and gravies; and thickening and stabilizing low fat mayonnaise and salad dressing.


Prions in Gelatin

Prions are infectious substances made of protein. They carry fatal diseases such as mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The American Food and Drug Administration has recently raised concerns about the safety of gelatin as a food product in light of the spread of mad cow disease. Gelatin is manufactured at temperatures lower than 200°F, while it takes a temperature of 800°F to destroy the prion that causes mad cow disease.

The mad cow disease prion is found most commonly in the central nervous system and bones of animals. Nerve tissue reaches all parts of the body, including the skin. As well, there is no safety in being selective about the parts you eat because the butchering process slices the bone and smears its contents across the face of the cut produced.

It only takes one prion to start trouble. Scientists have observed that a prion placed next to a normal protein will change the normal protein to a prion. CJD cases from Britain show that it only takes 18 months for symptoms of mad cow disease to show up in humans who ate infected beef.


The Bottom Line

If you want to avoid pork in your food, don’t eat commercially manufactured foods. Make your prepared dishes yourself. Make them from whole grains you cook yourself, legumes you prepare yourself, fresh and frozen vegetables, fresh fruits, and raw nuts and seeds you roast yourself. Obtain your sweeteners from dates, raisins, honey, apples, and jams, jellies, and apple “butters” made from 100% fruit without additives (pectin and citric acid are okay; they come from fruits). If you must add gravies or thickeners, make your own from flours, water or nut milks, olive oil, and herbs. Nut creams, nut milks, and tofu work well as replacements for milk and milk products in gravies and sauces. Many dishes can be prepared ahead of time and placed in the freezer for quick use.

If you feel it’s too hard to make your favorite dishes from scratch, try changing your menu plan. Train your palate to enjoy simple foods from natural sources, and your body will be healthier for it. Nutritionists today advocate eating a diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

Eliminate sugary desserts, commercially prepared cookies, and candy from your diet. Replace them with fresh fruit, but avoid eating fruits and vegetables in the same meal. Eat healthy and stay healthy!

 

[Vytas]

OP is bible based so let's just assume that OT diet still applies. How important is to keep it ? My personal opinion it's no more than a recommendation, advice. Also it's next to impossible to fully avoid all malicious supplements in our food. And to grow everything yourself one has to turn around his lifestyle 180° move out somewhere deep in country and start farming...And only those who never tasted that life style would want that...because God's sentence to Adam Applies very literally...

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground

 

[Daciple]

Paul tells us the facts concerning OId Testament dietary laws, they are not enforce anymore to whomever chooses not abide by them. They are enforce to whomever believes they are and chooses to abide by them, and we ought not to judge one another concerning it..

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
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.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 

[phipps]

OP is bible based so let's just assume that OT diet still applies. How important is to keep it ? My personal opinion it's no more than a recommendation, advice. Also it's next to impossible to fully avoid all malicious supplements in our food. And to grow everything yourself one has to turn around his lifestyle 180° move out somewhere deep in country and start farming...And only those who never tasted that life style would want that...because God's sentence to Adam Applies very literally...

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground

Shouldn't we all be Bible based? God gave Israel laws on how to keep healthy when they were in the wilderness heading towards the promised land. But God is an understanding God too. He knows all our personal situations and if we are doing the best we can with what we have. We should pray and ask God to help us find better ways of living according to His word. God wants us to be healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Our bodies are to be the temple for the Holy Spirit. We are to glorify God in our bodies as well as our spiritual lives. Just as God asked the Israelites to build Him a temple so He could dwell with them, He has told us He wants to live in our hearts."What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. God is concerned about everything to do with us including what we eat and drink. So its not just a case of saying grace before meals, but ensuring that what we put into our stomachs glorifies God. Everything we do is to is to be guided by the Holy Spirit if our bodies are to be a proper dwelling place for Him.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" Romans 12:1. If we are to to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, we should present ourselves in as good condition as possible, avoiding habits, physical, mental or spiritual, which damage our minds and bodies.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. We should not persist in defiling ourselves or we will not be fit for God's Kingdom. He will destroy us instead.

I pray that we all make our selves wholly acceptable to God in everything we do physically, mentally and spiritually..

 

[phipps]

Proverbs 23:31-32
"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."

The Bible graphically describes the results of getting drunk. It actually says "look not" at wine. (You certainly won't over-indulge if you refuse to look at it. If you refuse to look at it, you won't drink alcohol at all, not even moderately.) Alcohol makes us do things we wouldn't think of doing if we were sober. Even drinkers know alcohol breaks down your inhibitions, making you behave in ways you would never do if you were sober. Doctors have known for a long time that any alcohol taken into the body always destroys cells in the frontal lobes of your brain. These destroyed cells never grow back. Its these frontal parts of the brain, where we make decisions about right and wrong and where our spiritual life is based. Tests have shown that one's physical, mental and moral judgement is affected even by drinking small amounts of alcohol. The Bible has much to say about evil effects on the mind of drinking alcohol. Because of the effect it has on the mind and behaviour, we should avoid it. Could Jesus live in our hearts while our perceptions are impaired by our deliberate choice? Since the Holy spirit speaks to us through our minds, we cut ourselves off from Him every time we cloud our minds with alcohol. It's worth avoiding all mind-altering substances, like drugs even socially acceptable ones like nicotine found in tobacco, caffeine (found in cola drinks, tea or coffee, Red bull and other popular drinks) which people take because of the effect it has on their minds. People know the effect of such substances on the mind by the struggle it takes to give them up. We are far better off without these things. The Lord provides a far more lasting beneficial pleasure than these things can offer. If we are challenged in any aspect of our lifestyle ( I know I am), let's make it a matter of urgent prayer and claim the Lord's power to enable us to care for our bodies so that it becomes a fit place to invite Jesus to dwell in.

Some have sought to justify their self-indulgence by saying the Bible permits moderate drinking of alcohol. The confusion comes from the fact that the words of wine in the Bible, 'yayin' and 'oinos' apply to grape juice whether its fermented or not. A careful study of the Bible shows that the Bible regards new wine (unfermented) as a blessing, but condemns old wine (fermented) because of the mind altering effects it produces. There is no blessing in anything that tends to cloud the mind and confuse the thinking.

 

[phipps]

Romans 14:14 says, “there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” Was Paul saying that nothing is unclean?


Compare Romans 14 with 1 Corinthians 8-10. You will see that the same problem is being addressed—friction between two parties in the early Church.

Jewish converts (aware of dietary laws) didn’t mind eating clean animals sold in the heathen markets. The Gentile converts thought heathen idols made sacrificed meat unclean:

"As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4).

The argument wasn’t about dietary laws, but meat sacrificed to heathen idols. Paul urged Jewish and Gentile believers not to condemn each other based on sacrificed meat. Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 8:10-11:

"For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for which Christ died?"

In other words, don’t make a brother feel he should ignore his uneasiness and try to eat sacrificed meat anyway. He would feel he is lost because his conscience wouldn’t let him rest.

"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:15-17).

Paul is not dealing with a moral law here. He is calling for understanding of the tender consciences of weaker brothers. He advises “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).

Paul would not go against the Bible's teachings on diet and he followed them himself. The Bible's teachings on health, diet and hygiene have since been confirmed by scientific research. Although God gives us good advice and plenty of proof that what He shows us is true, He allows us to decide for ourselves. But we must live with the results of our decisions. If we decide not to follow God's advice and do not exercise self-control, perhaps it shows we have not fully surrendered to Him. God brings a clear mind to those who do not clog their system with unhealthy foods and substances.

Many common diseases are caused by poor lifestyle. God knows that, that's why He gave us diet laws. They apply to us in this age too. The unclean meats that were not good for the Jews are still not good all these years later. So is blood, fat, alcohol, drugs etc. In fact quality of food is much worse especially meat. Following God is a 'package' affecting every part of a Christian's life. Those who only accept parts of God's will deny themselves the fullness of God's blessings. Paul teaches that in the New testament.

 

[meeeeeeeee]

http://www.remnantofgod.org/health.htm

 

[Renegade]

Proverbs 23:31-32
"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."

The Bible graphically describes the results of getting drunk. It actually says "look not" at wine. (You certainly won't over-indulge if you refuse to look at it. If you refuse to look at it, you won't drink alcohol at all, not even moderately.) Alcohol makes us do things we wouldn't think of doing if we were sober. Even drinkers know alcohol breaks down your inhibitions, making you behave in ways you would never do if you were sober. Doctors have known for a long time that any alcohol taken into the body always destroys cells in the frontal lobes of your brain. These destroyed cells never grow back. Its these frontal parts of the brain, where we make decisions about right and wrong and where our spiritual life is based. Tests have shown that one's physical, mental and moral judgement is affected even by drinking small amounts of alcohol. The Bible has much to say about evil effects on the mind of drinking alcohol. Because of the effect it has on the mind and behaviour, we should avoid it. Could Jesus live in our hearts while our perceptions are impaired by our deliberate choice? Since the Holy spirit speaks to us through our minds, we cut ourselves off from Him every time we cloud our minds with alcohol. It's worth avoiding all mind-altering substances, like drugs even socially acceptable ones like nicotine found in tobacco, caffeine (found in cola drinks, tea or coffee, Red bull and other popular drinks) which people take because of the effect it has on their minds. People know the effect of such substances on the mind by the struggle it takes to give them up. We are far better off without these things. The Lord provides a far more lasting beneficial pleasure than these things can offer. If we are challenged in any aspect of our lifestyle ( I know I am), let's make it a matter of urgent prayer and claim the Lord's power to enable us to care for our bodies so that it becomes a fit place to invite Jesus to dwell in.

Some have sought to justify their self-indulgence by saying the Bible permits moderate drinking of alcohol. The confusion comes form the fact that the words of wine in the Bible, 'yayin' and 'oinos' apply to grape juice whether its fermented or not. A careful study of the Bible shows that the Bible regards new wine (unfermented) as a blessing, but condemns old wine (fermented) because of the mind altering effects it produces. There is no blessing in anything that tends to cloud the mind and confuse the thinking.

22“You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.

23“You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

24“If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you,

25then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses.

26“You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.

Sell your vegetable tithe, buy meat and hard liquor and rejoice before God...

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

strong drink, drunkard, strong wine
From shakar; an intoxicant, i.e. Intensely alcoholic liquor -- strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine.

see HEBREW shakar

 

[phipps]

22“You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.

23“You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

24“If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you,

25then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses.

26“You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.

Sell your vegetable tithe, buy meat and hard liquor and rejoice before God...

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

strong drink, drunkard, strong wine
From shakar; an intoxicant, i.e. Intensely alcoholic liquor -- strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine.

see HEBREW shakar

There are passages of Scripture that at first glance might lead a person to think drinking a little fermented wine in moderation might be biblically condoned. In the next few sections, we will address some of the verses that are sometimes construed to condone fermented wine, when in fact they do nothing of the sort.

“And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household” (Deuteronomy 14:26). The phrase “strong drink” is translated from the word shekar. A Shekar is condemned by Solomon as a “brawler” (Proverbs 20:1). And Isaiah pronounces a woe upon those who “run after strong drink(shekar)” (Isaiah 5:11). Strong drink was also prohibited from the priests (Leviticus 10:9–11) and Nazarites (Numbers 6:2–4; Judges 13:3–5). So how could God so clearly condemn the use of “strong drink” in one place in the Bible, and yet approve of it in another place? Like the word yayin (“wine”), shekar is a generic term that could refer to either an alcoholic beverage, as noted above, or to a sweet, unfermented drink as is indicated in Isaiah 24:9. Shekar is also defined by the The Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia as: “Sweet Wine or Syrup. Shechar, luscious, saccharin drink or sweet syrup, especially sugar or honey of dates or of the palm-tree” or “Date or Palm Wine in its fresh and unfermented state.” In fact, “sugar” and “cider” are derivatives from shekar. Therefore, since shekar could mean either a sweet unfermented drink or an intoxicating drink, we must interpret the word according to the context of the verse. Would God encourage the use of tithe money to purchase a beverage that causes intoxication, health problems and diminishing of moral capacities? The only reasonable conclusion is that this verse is referring to the sweet palm-wine beverage in its fresh and unfermented state.

Even if one refuses to accept this translation of the word, keep in mind, the verse in Deuteronomy 14:26 never tells them it is okay to drink this beverage. Rather, it is addressing how they were to transport offerings to present to the Lord when travelling long distances. Moses was recommending they carry money with them rather than to haul the offerings of beasts, grain, and wine long distances. When they arrived they were to purchase whatever they needed for offerings. The animal sacrifices could be eaten but they were commanded to pour the drink offerings on the ground. “And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering” (Numbers 28:7).

There is no where in the Bible God tells anyone to drink alcohol. In fact anything the Bible says about alcohol is negative. God doesn't contradict Himself either. That one verse cannot cancel out all the others that say consumption of alcohol is wrong. So obviously it did not mean alcohol.

 

[phipps]

Do The Old Testament Dietary Laws Still Apply?

Summary: Common questions about the validity of the Old Testament dietary laws are answered in part 1 of this Q&A.

We have examined the original diet God intended for humankind, and the animals that God defined as clean and unclean after sin entered the world. Now we ask, why should we follow the Old Testament dietary laws in this day and age?
We will work through several reasons people object, and various Bible verses that seem to say we don’t have to observe the dietary laws. We must learn to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Question 1: Aren’t these lists of clean and unclean animals just for the Jews?

Answer: Although the lists are recorded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, the first mention is in the time of the Flood.
There were no Jews on Noah’s ark. Only later, the descendants of Abraham become known as “Jews.”i So in the early days, God instructed them in the concept of “clean” and “unclean” animals. The list predates the laws of Moses, therefore applying to all humanity, not just one particular group.

Question 2: Didn’t Peter have a vision that told him to eat unclean animals? Wouldn’t this mean that the dietary laws were no longer in effect?

Answer: Note the following facts about the Acts 10 story:
A) Cornelius, a Gentile, received a vision instructing him to send for Peter.

B) Peter also received a vision before Cornelius’s men came to his home. He “saw heaven opened” and a sheet descending “down to the earth.”ii It was filled with unclean animals, creeping things, and fowls (Acts 10:11-12).

C) When Peter is told to “kill, and eat” he says, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). Peter was never taught by Jesus to eat anything “common or unclean.” He can’t believe the Lord would tell him to do this.

D) “Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean” (Acts 10:17). If the Lord literally told him to eat unclean animals, why would he doubt? Wouldn’t the change in dietary laws be obvious? Peter doubted because he realized the vision was symbolic—not referring to literal unclean animals.

E) When Peter came to Cornelius’ home, he realized, “God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28, emphasis added). The Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles just as He had been given to the Jews on Pentecost. Peter learned that the Gospel message was meant for all the world, not just the Jews. The vision was not about dietary laws, but about giving the message to all—because no one is to be considered “unclean,” or unreachable by Christ’s redemption. The vision used unclean creatures as symbols of Gentile nations now called to come to God through the Gospel.iii

Question 3: Haven’t we been called to liberty in Christ, no longer under the slavery of the Law?

Answer: Since the dietary laws existed before Noah’s time, is obedience to them really “enslavement”?
Jesus told us that He didn't come to destroy the Law, but rather to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Good health and long life is anything but slavery.

Think of the history of these dietary laws: First, they are given to humankind before the days of Noah. Then, the Lord tells His people that they will be disease-free if they follow His laws (Exodus 15:26). The clean and unclean foods are clearly defined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Peter’s visionshows us that Jesus did not abolish clean and unclean.

Paul tells believers to“touch not the unclean thing” and the Lord will receive them. John speaks of spiritual Babylon as a “cage of every unclean and hateful bird."In Isaiah’s prophesy of the new earth after the return of Christ, those who eat “swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together” (Isaiah 66:17). From one end of the Bible to the other, the concept of clean and unclean is upheld. It is a matter of health and well-being, not slavery.

Our modern world equates “freedom” with doing whatever we wish, but God calls us to a higher standard. Paul tells us to “use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Jesus tells us “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Peter tells us“the Spirit of Christ” was in the prophets of old, meaning that the dietary laws are the words of Christ.
For the sake of showing our love to the Lord by obeying Him, as well as escaping disease by observing His dietary laws—let us honor God by following His rules for health and happiness.iv Do we really want to ignore these health laws? If we do, we do so to our own peril.

 

[phipps]

Clean and Unclean In The New Testament

Summary: The New Testament contains some passages about dietary laws that can confuse us, if we don't understand them correctly. Part 2 of the Q&A helps us deal with these difficult Scriptures.

This article continues where the previous Biblical Q&A left off: dealing with objections to obeying the dietary laws of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

In this article, we will discuss three passages from the New Testament that we often misinterpret in regards to the dietary laws.

Question 1: Romans 14:14 says, “there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” Was Paul saying that nothing is unclean?

Compare Romans 14 with 1 Corinthians 8-10. You will see that the same problem is being addressed—friction between two parties in the early Church.

Jewish converts (aware of dietary laws) didn’t mind eating clean animals sold in the heathen markets. The Gentile converts thought heathen idols made sacrificed meat unclean:

"As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4).

The argument wasn’t about dietary laws, but meat sacrificed to heathen idols. Paul urged Jewish and Gentile believers not to condemn each other based on sacrificed meat. Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 8:10-11:

"For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for which Christ died?"

In other words, don’t make a brother feel he should ignore his uneasiness and try to eat sacrificed meat anyway. He would feel he is lost because his conscience wouldn’t let him rest.

"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:15-17).

Paul is not dealing with a moral law here. He is calling for understanding of the tender consciences of weaker brothers. He advises “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).

Question 2: In Matthew 15:11 Jesus says, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Does this mean we can eat whatever we want?

Answer: There are consequences to everything we eat—good and bad. Eating poorly will harm our bodies, just as eating well will help our bodies maintain health.

This verse needs to be understood in its proper context. It doesn’t mean that anything we eat is now good for us regardless of what it is, for we all know that there are many things that can go “into the mouth” and produce dire consequences. Many foods or drugs available to us harm us, and are not made safe to eat because of this verse.

In Matthew 15:2, the Pharisees criticize Jesus, saying, “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” The Pharisees were not really concerned with physical cleanliness. The Pharisees wanted Jesus to obey their washing ritual so any heathen “defilement” would be magically removed.

In verse 15, Peter asks Jesus to explain the parable. He realized there was deeper meaning than just ritual washing. Jesus explains it this way:

"Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man" (Matthew 15:17-20).

This passage is not concerned with dietary laws, but rather the fruitlessness of ritual washing while the dark heart remains untouched.

Question 3: Doesn’t 1 Timothy 4:3-4 tell us that we can eat anything if we pray over it first?

Answer: Let’s observe what the verses actually say:

"Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:3-4).

Paul is telling Timothy about false believers who will “depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). They are in error—no longer following the Scriptures.

1. Paul tells Timothy these false teachers will command people to “abstain from meats.” But what kind of meats? 1 Timothy 4:3 tells us these are not unclean meats but meats that “God hath created to be received with thanksgiving.” This cannot mean unclean animals, because they were never intended to be eaten!

2. These clean meats are to be “received with thanksgiving of them that believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:3). Believe and know the truth about what? Obviously, the truth about clean and unclean animals.

3. 1 Timothy 4:4 says, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.” This does not mean that every created being is permitted to be eaten. If this were the meaning, cannibalism would justified. Rather, this verse refers to the previous verse’s clean animals. Those who “believe and know the truth” will receive “with thanksgiving.”

4. 1 Timothy 5:5 describes the meat further: “For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” Two things sanctify this food—“the word of God” and “prayer.” Remember this is the meat that false teachers said could not be eaten. This is in contradiction to God’s Word which listed the meat as “clean” (1 Timothy 5:1). By knowing the truth in the Word of God, and receiving these clean animals in a thankful manner with prayer, the true believers would obey God and not the “doctrines of devils.”

What would this passage be saying if it referred to unclean instead of clean food? Would it really mean that we could eat anything if we pray over it? Would we allow our children to eat anything, as long as they prayed over it? Not likely! We can expect God, our Father, to give guidance of what is good for us.

https://amazingdiscoveries.org/C-deception-diet_unclean_clean_New_Testament

 

[Thunderian]

All I can think about is a medium-rare bacon cheeseburger.

 

[phipps]

Fasting and Spiritual Health

Throughout history and even today, fasting, the abstinence from food and sometimes water, has been practiced in a religious context and there are many references to fasting in the Bible. Some fasts in the Bible were total abstinence from food and water, for example when Esther required all Jews in Shushan to neither eat nor drink for three days. But there are also examples of partial fasts, as in the case of Daniel when he “ate no pleasant bread…neither flesh nor wine” (Daniel 10:3). In addition, the Bible provides examples of a range of motivating factors for fasting, such as grief or defeat in war or to show repentance.

Fasting in the Bible

Why did people fast during Bible times? Perhaps you’re wondering whether Christians should fast today. Does it make any difference to God whether we fast or not? Does fasting change us in any significant way? The Bible can provide insight and answers about Christian fasting.

Forty Day Fasts

Perhaps the earliest reference to fasting involved Moses while he was in the presence of God on Mount Sinai “forty days and forty nights” (Exodus 24:18), during which time, we’re told, “he did neither eat bread, nor drink water” (Exodus 34:28). Moses had been called on an errand by God. God had told him, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them” (Exodus 24:12). God miraculously sustained Moses while they met together. When God calls a person to some special job, we can be sure that God will sustain them, even in a miraculous way.

Repentance

Often, we see in the Bible people fasting as a sign of remorse and repentance. For example, Samuel called a corporate fast when “all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD” and returned to Him following the time of their idolatry (1 Samuel 7:2). After ridding the land of their idols, they gathered to Samuel at Mizpeh “and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD” (vs. 6). Ahab (1 Kings 21:27-29), the people of Israel (Nehemiah 9:1) and even Israel’s enemies at the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:5) fasted to show their sorrow for sin and deep repentance. Christians may do the same today. When we become aware of the awfulness of our sins and humble our hearts in repentance, fasting may increase our sense of our need and dependence upon Christ for all our righteousness, though fasting can never add to the free gift of salvation that Christ has bought for us.

Fasting on the Day of Atonement

God Himself appointed a fast for the Day of Atonement, in which He required soul-searching and repentance while atonement was being made for the people.

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God" (Leviticus 23: 26-28).

Here, we see that the people were called together to

1. Fast or “be afflicted,”

2. Make a sacrifice by fire, and

3. Rest from their labors or keep a sabbath.

In Israel, the fast on the Day of Atonement was a time set aside from worldly cares to examine the heart for lurking sin, making full repentance to God and contemplating the work of redemption that He would complete on behalf of believers. Matthew Henry commented that:

"The humbling of our souls for sin, and the making of our peace with God, is work that requires the whole man, and the closest application of mind imaginable, and all little enough. He that would do the work of a day of atonement in its day, as it should be done, had need lay aside the thoughts of every thing else" (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Leviticus 23: 26-28).

Laying aside food preparation along with eating and digesting food can free the mind to concentrate upon repentance and reformation.

Unfortunately, too often fasting during the Day of Atonement was done without deep soul-searching and repentance. The act of fasting, like so many other religious rituals, became an end in itself, replacing true repentance. God rejects that kind of spiritually-barren fasting. When the people of Isaiah’s day accused God of paying no attention to their fasting, God rebuked them for their hypocrisy, their pride instead of humility and their lack of repentance. He said,

"Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high."


"Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:3-7).

 

[phipps]

Continued from above about fasting and spiritual growth.

Prayer

The Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New, has many examples of fasting combined with earnest prayer. Further, there are examples of individuals fasting for personal reasons, for example when Hannah fasted and prayed that God would give her a son (1 Samuel 1:7-8), when David fasted and prayed for the healing of his infant son (2 Samuel 12:16), or when Darius fasted and prayed for Daniel’s survival in the lions’ den (Daniel 9:3).

There are also incidents of corporate fasting, as when, in 2 Chronicles 20:3, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast as the nation prayed for deliverance from their enemies, when Esther proclaimed a fast as she and her people pleaded for deliverance from Haman’s evil plot of destruction, or when Ezra called for fasting and prayers as they sought direction and protection from God concerning their return to Jerusalem from Babylon (Ezra 8:21-23).

Because proper fasting, not abstemiousness to the point of weakening the body, tends to clear the mind, it can prepare us to better receive God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit’s communication with our minds. Combined with a humble attitude of submission to God’s will, fasting and prayer can prepare us to receive more of the Spirit of God.

In Grief

David and his people fasted and mourned when they heard that Saul and Jonathon were killed in battle (2 Samuel 1:12), the people of Israel mourned and fasted over their defeat by the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:26) and Nehemiah fasted and mourned when he heard that the Jews remaining in Jerusalem were “in great affliction” and the city lay in ruins. It is appropriate to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Even more, it is appropriate to “sigh and…cry for all the abominations that be done” in the Christian church (see Ezekiel 9:4) and fasting can be a part of this as we humbly submit our wills to God.

Jesus' Example

Jesus Himself set an example for us through fasting. We’re told in Matthew 4:2 that Jesus “fasted forty days and forty nights” and then faced His tempter.

What Jesus Said About Fasting

Jesus Himself had something to say about fasting and seemed to suppose that fasting was an ordinary part of the devotional life for believers. Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 6: 16-18 during His Sermon on the Mount when “the multitudes” had gathered to hear Him and “his disciples came unto him” (Matthew 5:1). Look carefully at the following verses:

"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Consider Jesus’ comments and instructions about fasting.

• Fasting is a normal part of spiritual practice for believers. First of all, notice that Jesus said, “when” you fast. He expected believers to fast. So obviously there are times which are appropriate for believers to fast.

• Fasting is primarily an inward attitude, not an external sign. Jesus taught that fasting for selfish reasons is useless. He used the proud Pharisees as an example of how not to fast. If you fast so that others will think you’re very spiritual, that’s of no value, He said. But if you fast “in secret” then God will reward you.

Interestingly, Jesus talked about fasting right after teaching His disciples the Lord’s Prayer. This perfect example of prayer comes from a peaceful submission to the will of God and a humble acceptance of His sovereignty over the believer’s life. This kind of true inward humility is a requirement for meaningful fasting.

Consider also an incident that led Jesus to recommend fasting to His disciples. Jesus had chosen three disciples to be with Him at His transfiguration. Meanwhile, the remaining nine were facing a crisis. A man who had a demon-possessed son came to them and asked them to cast out the demon. They couldn’t. Later when they asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast the demon out, He told them,

"Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20).

Apparently, it was the disciples’ lack of faith that cast up a roadblock against their ability to oust the demon. Then Jesus added these often misunderstood words: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (vs. 21). What did Jesus mean?

First, Jesus said their unbelief prevented them from casting out the demon. Then, He told them the demon could only be cast out by prayer and fasting. Did Jesus mean that certain demons are too strong to be cast out without prayer and fasting?

Since Jesus once said that it was by “the finger of God” that He cast out devils (Luke 11:20), it must have been by the same “finger of God” that the disciples cast out devils. Obviously, God’s “finger” is not strengthened by our fasting, but something happens within us through fasting.

Prior to this, Jesus had foretold His death and the nine disciples were sorrowing over His words; so they were discouraged. On top of that, the nine were jealous of the three that had been chosen to accompany Jesus to the mount. Their hearts weren’t right with God, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). In that context, they unwisely engaged Satan in battle.

Shortly after this event, in the very next chapter of Matthew, we read, “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). Obviously, they missed the point about the need for humility and Jesus reiterates, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (vs. 3). So when He said, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting,” He was pointing out the disciples’ own personal need for spiritual renewal and real humility.

Fasting as a Symbol

As a symbol of the humble position of the heart, Christians kneel in prayer to God. In a similar way, fasting should be a physical demonstration of the believer’s humble submission to God’s will and his or her utter dependence upon Him. Fasting is as appropriate now as it was in Jesus’ day.

"We are living in the most solemn period of this world's history. The destiny of earth's teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God" (GC, 601; emphasis added).

In summary, believers fast for a number of different reasons, but to reap spiritual benefits from fasting it should be accompanied by true repentance and humility. In addition, fasting can bring spiritual revival and can put us in a proper mind frame to better receive the things of God.

Amazingdiscoveries.org.

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

All I can think about is a medium-rare bacon cheeseburger.

I suspect that the original diet was suited to the original climate, and to Man’s original condition. Post-fall and post-flood, things are rather different!

 

[phipps]

I suspect that the original diet was suited to the original climate, and to Man’s original condition. Post-fall and post-flood, things are rather different!

God understood that, that is why after the flood man started eating meat but God told us which meats are clean and unclean for eating.

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

God understood that, that is why after the flood man started eating meat but God told us which meats are clean and unclean for eating.

I’m sure you are familiar with Peter’s vision of the sheet with animals...

I found this interpretation on Wikipedia very interesting:-

“Simon J. Kistemaker suggests that the lesson God taught Peter in this vision is that "God has removed the barriers he once erected to separate his people from the surrounding nations."[1]:378 Kistemaker argues that it means Peter has to accept Gentile believers as full members of the Christian Church, but also that God has made all animals clean, so that "Peter with his fellow Jewish Christians can disregard the food laws that have been observed since the days of Moses."[1]:380 Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, writes:[2]

As the Book of Acts makes clear, Christians are not obligated to follow this holiness code. This is made clear in Peter's vision in Acts 10:15. Peter is told, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' In other words, there is no kosher code for Christians. Christians are not concerned with eating kosher foods and avoiding all others. That part of the law is no longer binding, and Christians can enjoy shrimp and pork with no injury to conscience.”

 

[Thunderian]

I’m sure you are familiar with Peter’s vision of the sheet with animals...

I found this interpretation on Wikipedia very interesting:-

“Simon J. Kistemaker suggests that the lesson God taught Peter in this vision is that "God has removed the barriers he once erected to separate his people from the surrounding nations."[1]:378 Kistemaker argues that it means Peter has to accept Gentile believers as full members of the Christian Church, but also that God has made all animals clean, so that "Peter with his fellow Jewish Christians can disregard the food laws that have been observed since the days of Moses."[1]:380 Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, writes:[2]

As the Book of Acts makes clear, Christians are not obligated to follow this holiness code. This is made clear in Peter's vision in Acts 10:15. Peter is told, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' In other words, there is no kosher code for Christians. Christians are not concerned with eating kosher foods and avoiding all others. That part of the law is no longer binding, and Christians can enjoy shrimp and pork with no injury to conscience.”

This thread was prophesied by Paul. What a great God we serve!

1 Timothy 4​

​

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;​

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;​

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.​

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

5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.​

​