You Cant Just Pick And Choose Bible Verses
Lets hit the pause button for just a sec.
When I mention this special verse, please dont get thewrong impression!
You cant just go somewhere in the Bible andfind a verse that agrees with a position you want to take with the idea thatyou will be correct.
You must first place it in context with other chapters,verses and general Biblical principles.
In other words, context is very, very important!
When we interpret Bible passages, we must consider the context.
Where In Bible Does It Say Not To Eat Pork
In Leviticus 11:27, God forbids Moses and his followers to eat swine because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud. Furthermore, the prohibition goes, Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch they are unclean to you. That message is later reinforced in Deuteronomy.
God Will Always Provide Food For You
Sometimes we worry so much and God is just trying to calm us down and tell us to put our mind on Him. Trust in Him. He will never fail you.
25. Matthew 6:25 For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Don’t Miss: Does The Bible Say Not To Cremate
Why Do Some Christians Eat Pork
There was an incident that you find in Mark chapter 7, it says
then some of the Pharisees came to him having come from Jerusalem, and when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with the defiled, that is with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way holding to the tradition of the elders.
Mark Chapter 7
There was a tradition of ceremonially washing their hands. Theysaw the disciples did not do this and they said they may be defiled and Jesuscontended with them and he said that they were setting aside the commandment ofGod.
This is verse 8, holding to your tradition, the washing ofpitchers and cups and many other such things you do he said, all too well youreject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition.
Going on down he said in verse 14
hear me everyone and understand there is nothing that enters a man from the outside that can defile him. But the things that come out of the man are the things that defile him. If anyone has ears let him hear.
Mark 7:14
When I first heard that, I thought oh good that means that as a Christian, I can smoke cigarettes, eat pork and drink anything I want to because theres nothing that enters a man that defiles him.
I took that verse the way some other churches are teaching it. This is a verse that most Christians misunderstand about eating pork, drinking, and smoking.
Jesus Created The Biblical Food Laws
To answer that question, we have to remember who Jesus Christ was. Before He came to earth, He was, with God the Father, the Creator of all things and the One who gave the laws in the Old Testament . He spoke to Moses and described which animals they could eat in intricate detail .
He was also the One who gave other dietary laws that are accepted as sound health principles todaysuch as avoiding animal fat and not consuming blood . As the Creator, He created all living things to fulfill different functions in the earths ecosystem. Some animals were created to be eaten by human beings, and others were designed to serve other purposes.
For example, crustaceans like clams, oysters, lobsters, crabs and shrimp were designed to fulfill specific purposes, such as to act as natural water filters. They consume bacteria, viruses and parasites that are found in the earths bodies of water. That is a function for which God created them and perhaps why He categorized them as unfit for human consumption.
We may not understand why all the animals are listed as unclean, but God does because He created them.
So if Jesus created the laws of clean and unclean meats, why would He come to earth and eat those meats? The answer is He didnt.
Consider these three reasons:
About the Author
Erik Jones
Don’t Miss: What Does The Bible Say About The Last Days Kjv
Can Christians Eat Pork The Full Answer
I recently decided to research if Christians can eat pork. There are different viewpoints on this topic and people have strong convictions on both sides.
Can Christians eat pork? Yes, Christians can eat pork.Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19. Since Jesus declares all foods clean, Christians can eat pork.Jesus continued to tell the Pharisees and his disciples that it is not what goes into a persons stomach that can defile him, it is what comes out of a person from the heart that defiles him .
How did this come to be? What was the cause of this switch from the old laws, to Jesus fulfilling these laws?
Lets dive in further to find out and learn why Christians no longer have to follow the Mosaic laws of the Old Testament.
What Does The Bible Say About Food And Eating
Whether meat, seafood, vegetables, fruits, etc. All food is more than a source of energy. It is a blessing from the Lord. When Scripture talks about food its not always talking about the physical. Sometimes it is talking about the spiritual and the spiritual food is something that most people neglect and that is why many are not healthy.
You May Like: What Does Bible Say About Cremation Vs Burial
God Never Cleansed Pigs
Unfortunately, many Christians are led to believe God cleansed pigs, but that is simply not true. We are going to document that so we properly understand this subject from all angles.
Turn your Bible with me to,
1 Timothy 4:3Forbidding 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.
In the prior verses, God explains in the latter days, that would be today, there will be false teachers among us. Some will say we cannot marry if we keep the Christian faith. Others will say we cannot eat any meat at all, even the meat God created to be received. That is our takeaway here.
Abstaining from meats which God created to be received with thanksgiving. Those people already know we cannot eat unclean meat, they are simply distorting the Word by saying we cannot eat any meat at all.
Now God never said that.
God said we can eat meat. We can eat the animals God designated for us to eat in Leviticus 11, the animals that were created to be received. Pigs were not meant or created to be eaten, and God already told us that.
1 Timothy 4:4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
This is the verse people often cite to say we can eat pork, but they totally miss the point in the last verse.
However, the qualifier here was in verse 3.
Every creature can be used for meat which God hath created to be received.
That never changed.
Why?
Christian Quotes About Food
A man can eat his dinner without understanding exactly how food nourishes him. C.S. LewisIf we will not learn to eat the only food that the universe grows, then we must starve eternally. C.S. Lewis
The deepest need of men is not food and clothing and shelter, important as they are. It is God.
Eating is a necessity but cooking is an art.
Two of the central ingredients to our family are food and faith, so sitting down together and thanking God for the food Hes provided means everything to us. Prayer is a natural part of our lives not only around the dinner table, but all day long.
I say grace. Im a big believer in grace. I happen to believe in a God that made all the food and so Im pretty grateful for that and I thank him for that. But Im also thankful for the people that put the food on the table.
Even though the world is in chaos right now, I have to thank God that Ive a house, food, water, warmth and love. Thank you for blessing me.
May God provide food, clothing and shelter for all humankind.
Recommended Reading: Love Bible Definition
Why Avoid Eating Shellfish
Unlike pork, eating shellfish may not seem as clear cut in its nutritional values. Some types of shellfish like oysters and krill actually contain a high amount of nutrients which can be hard to obtain from other food sources.
For instance, shellfish is high in the critical nutrient zinc. This essential mineral is vital to human health and is a common deficiency in many of our diets. Very important for immune function, the highest concentration of zinc is found in oysters and can further benefit skin and fertility health. In general, eating shellfish and seafood are good sources of the trace mineral selenium which stimulates both immune and thyroid function .
The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are also found high in concentration in krill and shrimp. These omega-3 fats are critical for supporting brain health, reducing inflammation and improving neurological and cardiovascular function . Shrimp and krill eat red algae also making them an excellent source of the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is what gives these shellfish their natural pink color .
What The Bible Says About Eating Pork Catholics & Bible
You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses they are unclean for you. In the New Testament, however, Jesus said, Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean..
The LORD spoke again to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, These are the creatures which you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever divides a hoof, thus making split hoofs, and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat.
The New Testament does not impose any restrictions on eating pork. Let us not forget that Jesus is come not abolish the Old Law but to fulfil them. Mathew 5:17-18
An outline of the new testament about eating pork. 1. Mark 7:15-19 and Matthew 15:17-20 New Testament era All Food is Clean. For Christians, the change from the Old Testament dietary laws can be seen from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and that of Peter & apostles .
i. Bear in mind that when Paul says nothing is unclean of itself, he is saying that we cant always tell just by our own judgment what is clean and unclean. It is determined by the Word of God. If a person feels that something is unclean, then the safe thing to do is avoid eating it since he does not have the faith to eat without scruples.
Don’t Miss: Is The Bible Inerrant And Infallible
Food Was Used As A Blessing By The Lord
7. Exodus 16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the Israelites. Tell them, During the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be satisfied with bread, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
8. Exodus 16:8 Moses also said, You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.
What Does The Bible Say About Eating Pork New Testament Only
What New Testament passage gives Christians permission to eat pork and other foods formerly forbidden of Jews? While the Jews were subject to various food laws, forbidding to eat several types of food , the Christian is under no such restriction today. Note the following texts: Matthew 15:17-20.
You shall not eat any of their flesh nor touch their carcasses. Leviticus 11:7. Verse Concepts. Noting What Animals Eat Unclean Animals Abstaining From Meats Pigs. Unclean Spirits Cleft Hoofs Swine. and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you.
Recommended Reading: Biblical Reference Against Cremation
What The Bible Says About Eating Pork
The Bible says dont you know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?. I know someone will ask about first Timothy 4 verse 3 and 5 which says that
in the last days, therell be a group that will arise forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with Thanksgiving of those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if its received with Thanksgiving
The book of Timothy
They take that verse and they say right there you got it. Paul says that any creature can be eaten and all you have to do is pray over it.
Now think about it, do you really believe that it would mean its okay for you to just say were going to have snake stew. That were just going to say a prayer and were going to eat a pig as Christians.
Its pretty clearthat some things would be revolting that not any creature should be eaten. Technicallyif you take it at any creep can be eaten, that endorses cannibalism. That well yeah,we can eat them and all we need to do is just say a prayer everythings okay.
No, thats not at all what hes talking about. There was abig problem in the days of Paul where the Jews were afraid to eat any food thatwas sold in the marketplace because it was often offered to pagan idols andthey thought that they will I be participating in idolatry.
God is very clear all the way through the Bible that pigs are unclean. Says you do not give that which is holy to the pig.
Is It A Sin To Be Vegetarian
In the second chapter of Genesis vegetarianism is re-affirmed as peoples spiritually proper diet. People are made in Gods image and animals are not, but this spiritual difference is not sufficiently morally significant to allow killing animals for food. Killing another person is a capital crime and a sin.
You May Like: What Does The Bible Say About Cremation Vs Burial
Can Christians Eat Pork Is Eating Pork A Sin The Truth
A: The prohibitions God gave against eating pork were a part of the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant . In short, ceremonial laws were given to symbolically purify and cleanse Gods people.
Understood in its context, Romans 14 does not convey permission to eat pork or any other unclean meat. When one understands that the food controversy of the New Testament era dealt with meat sacrificed to idols and not which meats were clean, other scriptures become clear.
Eating pork was indeed prohibited under the law. Leviticus 11:7 states, “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud he is unclean to you.” However, we are not under the same restrictions today.
Of course, eating under-cooked pork would have posed a significant health threat to the Israelites, but God providentially protected them through the Mosaic Law. If you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you .
The Old Testament stated that pigs are unclean and therefore should not be eaten Lev. 11:7: The swine, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you..However, Jesus said that Christians can eat everything Mk. 7:18-19: He said to them, Then are you also without understanding?
Jesus Was Never Empty
Why you ask? He was never empty because He was always doing the will of His Father. Lets imitate Him.
John 4:32-34 But he said to them, I have food to eat that you know nothing about. Then his disciples said to each other, Could someone have brought him food? My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Read Also: Where In The Bible Does It Talk About Dinosaurs
Is Eating Pork A Sin
Turn your Bible with me to,
Isaiah 65:4-54 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swines flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels.
5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
God clearly explains, those who eat pork are like smoke in His nose.
I would not call that a sin, but what do you do when smoke gets in your nose?
You cough, and you blow your nose to get rid of the irritation. God considers those who eat pork and other unclean animals an irritation.
Do we really want to cause our Heavenly Father irritation over a piece of meat?
Look, God created us. He knows what is healthy, and what is harmful to us. Further, it has been proven scientifically that pork is bad for your health, so stay away from it. Live longer, and stay healthy all while following Gods Food Laws, then we all win.
JB, if we keep reading Leviticus 11 we will find all of the creatures God does not want us to eat. From those in the water, , to those that fly in the air, .
You will notice, most of the clean animals do not eat meat, certainly not animals who scavenge for survival. Hey, they are all good creatures, they all serve their own purpose for God, but being on our plate is not one of them.