Clean Foods in the New Testament
(Continued)

Paul's Writings

Many are misled by a misunderstanding of the writings of the Apostle Paul. Note the caution given us about Paul's teachings in the Epistle of 2 Peter 3:16. "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which those who are unlearned and unstable wrest (twist), as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction." The current teaching that the law is done away through Paul is the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Many people are blinded by the no-law preachers. Be aware of the teachings of the false teachers and false prophets. Imitate what the Bereans did upon hearing the words and receiving with all readiness of mind, searching the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so, Acts 17:11.

Conscience and Idol Meat

One Scripture that has confused many people is 1 Corinthians 10:25-27: "Eat whatever is sold in the market, asking no question for conscience sake. For the earth is Yahweh's and the fullness thereof. If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you care to go, eat whatever is put before you, without raising questions of conscience."

Many strange items can be found in the various markets. In Corinth there were certainly unclean meats sold in the market. But in the case of the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul was referring to the eating of meat sacrificed to idols.

The point was that since part of the animal is offered to idols, the idol and its worshipers were sharing a common meal. This, according to oriental thinking, creates a bond of fellowship between them. A further objection is that to join in pagan sacrificial meals destroys the True Believer's fellowship in Messiah.

Some have stumbled at another of Paul's verses, Romans 14:14, where he writes, "...there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him that esteems anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean." The English "unclean" should more properly be rendered 'common', as it is from the Greek koinos, and has the sense of 'not sacred' or 'profane'.

In verse 13 Paul stresses that we should not put a stumbling block in someone's way by passing judgment on him because he refuses to eat certain foods. He is again considering the subject of verse 2 in which the weak are vegetarians and are not willing to eat flesh. Yahweh has already told us in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 which are the clean and unclean foods. Paul was talking about veggies & teetotalers.

If someone does not feel right in eating roasted locust [a clean food, Leviticus 11:21-22, which your author has not tried] we should not flaunt this before him. Verse 15 shows that we are not to destroy the faith of others, but are to be charitable in our behavior toward them. This does not mean we are able to eat anything and everything just because it was created by Yahweh.

Approved Food Is Good

Another favorite Bible text used by the no-law preachers and teachers is the letter of Apostle Paul to the young evangelist Timothy.

"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which Yahweh has created to be received with thanksgiving of those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of Yahweh is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the Word of Yahweh and prayer," 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

By taking part of this verse and using it alone, some have not rightly divided the Word of truth. Notice the section which reads, "...commanding to abstain from foods which Yahweh has created to be received with thanksgiving of those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of Yahweh is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the Word of Yahweh and prayer."

A little thought on this passage leads us to understand that there are certain foods that Yahweh has created to be clean foods for His people. Those who are familiar with the clean foods of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 know which foods are acceptable for Yahweh's people.

These foods already have been sanctified (set apart for a holy purpose) for His people through His Word. Not only does Paul note that this good food is sanctified, but also that it is received with prayer.

Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit in his statements that in the latter times some will turn from the faith, meaning become apostate, by believing seducing spirits and doctrines that are prevalent today, even demonic teachings.

["Forbidding to marry"--many religious cults forbid their ministers and members to marry--and "commanding them to abstain from meats." Celibacy is not the way of the Bible. Man and woman were created to marry and raise a family, Genesis 1:28.]

Two whole chapters describe which animals are fit food for Yahweh's people. In general, we are not to eat animals that are carnivorous (eat flesh) like cats, lions, pelicans, owls and eagles, neither are we to eat garbage-eaters such as swine, dogs, shellfish, vultures, and crows.

Spiritist teaching is that animal food (whether clean or unclean) is favorable to the development of occult power. Yahweh's creation is to be "received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." What is the truth? The Word of Yahweh.

In John 17:17 the Messiah provides insight, "Sanctify them, purify, consecrate, separate them for yourself, make them holy through your truth. Your word is truth." We are part of Yahweh's creation, and who are we to refuse His creative works? Our only duty is to give thanks and praise for all blessings we receive from Him.

In speaking of the conclusion of the age of man, Yahweh inspired the prophet Isaiah to write that Yahweh will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.

"They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the garden behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, declares Yahweh," Isaiah 66:17.

Another warning made by Isaiah in 52:11 reads, "Depart, depart, go out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go out of the midst of her [churches], be clean, that bear the vessels of Yahweh."

Even Paul was very explicit in his admonition to the Corinthian brethren, and his writings are for our instruction upon whom the end of the age is come, 1 Corinthians 10:11 and 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says Yahweh, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you. And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says Yahweh the Almighty."

Is This All There Is?

Acts 15 tells of a council held in Jerusalem to determine whether gentile converts who accepted Yahshua were required to be circumcised. The summation, as given by James, is found in verse 20, "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood."

Many look upon themselves as being non-Israelites (however, Paul says we are all of Israel, Galatians 6:16) and assume these four requirements are all they need apply to themselves. That is, they believe we are to (1) avoid anything polluted through being offered to idols, (2) abstain from sexual impurity, (3) from eating animal flesh that has been strangled, and (4) from drinking blood.

Reflection on the practice of the gentile believers shows that they had been accustomed to worshiping pagan deities through offering animal sacrifices; engaged in pagan worship with temple prostitutes; ate animal flesh containing blood and drank the blood of animals. These things were counter to Yahweh's worship, and needed to be restrained by the gentile believers so both Jew and gentile converts could worship together.

Furthermore, James pointed out in verse 21, "For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in every synagogue every Sabbath day." Thus, the gentiles would hear the Old Testament preached to them every Sabbath (Acts 13:42-46; 17:2, 18:4).

The clean food regulations of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 would be explained to them. Therefore, to appeal to Acts 15 to show that believers are not under any restraints found in the Old Testament is folly, for Moses' words are read every Sabbath to Jew and gentile alike and eating unclean foods is forbidden in Moses' writings.

The person who desires to live in complete harmony with Yahweh's wishes will not neglect the clean food laws. We are to be a clean people; to live clean, think clean, and eat clean so that our body is a fit temple for the indwelling of Yahweh's Holy Spirit. These laws were established for our own good, and we can realize the blessings that come with observing them.

They were kept by the Apostles even after the time of the Messiah (Acts 10:14).

They will be in effect under the death penalty when the Messiah returns, Isaiah 66:17.

The clean food laws will be enforced during the Kingdom. Ezekiel 44:23 reads, "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."

Yahweh's people receive physical and spiritual blessings from following these laws today. Secure those blessings for your family today!

HalleluYah!