Is it okay for Christians to eat pork?

[Elder-Elect Justin Sudler]

Is it ok for a Christian to eat pork? We know that the Seventh-Day Adventists and other Sabbatarians would say that it's wrong to eat pork. To back up their reasons for their belief that eating pork is wrong, they use Leviticus 11:7 which state that the swine (or pig) is unclean because it doesn't chew its cud although it has cloven hooves. Also, the pig is considered unclean because it eats slops and has the worm-like parasite.

But concerning the issue of the dietary laws dealing with clean and unclean meats on Leviticus 11:1-23, that's what God had set during a time period in the Mosaic covenant. But when Jesus Christ died on the Cross on Calvary for our sins, it lets us know that Jesus didn't want us to live in the past and He put us on a transition from law to grace.

On Matthew 5:17, Jesus said that he didn't come to destroy the law of the Prophets, but to fulfill it. What it means is that Jesus speaks out against the way the Pharisees follow the law. The Pharisees follow the old Levitical laws in order to earn their way into heaven. And you understand how the Pharisees said that what you eat defiles you. But on Matthew 15:11, Jesus stated that what you eat does not defile you, but what comes out of your mouth defiles you. In addition on Matthew 15:17-19, Jesus stated that what goes into your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body when you take a dump. But what comes of your mouth comes from your heart, and these defile you. The things that come out of your heart include sexual immorality including lustful and pornographic thoughts, murder, adultery, hate, dishonesty, theft, evil thoughts, and slander. These things make you unclean.

The point that Jesus was making is that it's not about what you eat; it's about your heart. Abstaining from pork doesn't save you. Yes, you can abstain from pork, but if your heart is not right with the Lord, you are unholy still. You may find on Galatians 6:12-16 that it deals with people who would keep parts of the law in order to gain favor amongst people, yet their hearts are not right with the Lord. Although we should eat right, it's not about eating right. It's about living right.

To answer the question "It is ok to eat pork?", the answer is yes. On 1st Corinthians 10:25, it tells you to eat anything that is sold in the meat market without questioning conscience. Also you may find on Acts 10:9-15 while Peter prayed and fell into a trance, he was surrounded by animals and the Lord spoke to him saying, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." But Peter replied to the Lord that he will not eat anything that is unclean. Then the Lord told him that what He had sanctified, he should not call it unclean. What it means is that the foods that God had sanctified you should not call it unkosher. Concerning pork, it does have a worm-like parasite. But to get rid of the worm-like parasite from the pork, all you got to do is to cook the pork thoroughly at the appropriate temperature and pray over it to remove the impurities. But I advise you to use wisdom and not eat pork too much because it can put you at the point when you get high-blood pressure. It's not about what you eat, but it's about how you eat it. So, enjoy pork in moderation. Keep in mind that pork gives you the itis. Also, if eating pork causes your brethren to stumble, don't eat it around them.

I myself asked some fellow Christians who don't eat pork about why they don't eat pork. I learned that they do not abstain from pork because of Leviticus 11. I learned that they avoid pork because they have high-blood pressure, they get headaches from pork, they're vegetarians, and they don't like pork at all. And if you ask me if I eat pork, I say yes, but I don't eat it too much.

The reason why I typed this message is because when I was a Senior in high school, a Seventh-Day Adventist girl was constantly nagging me about not eating pork and telling me that I was doing the wrong thing because I eat pork. Concerning the Dietary Laws, it can be used as something legalistic and a way to earn their way to heaven. I'm not dissing the Seventh-Day Adventists and the Sabbatarians, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. But the point that I'm making is that Christianity is about pleasing the Lord, not living by a list of do's and don'ts. Also on 1st Timothy 4:3, it deals with how people give in to man-made doctrines commanding people to abstain from foods which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who know the truth.

It's not good to judge people what they eat. The bottom line is that what you eat is between you and God. So, don't judge what people eat because you are not their God and Holy Spirit.

I hope this message is a blessing to you and if you agree with this message, give me an amen. Also, feel free to repost this message as "Is it ok for Christians to eat pork?". I can't leave you without proceeding what your soul needs, which is Jesus Christ, baby!!!!

[John]

AMEN!

[John]

Brother Moreh I have the same beliefs as Brother Terrance (I think) about Galatians and what Paul was saying. Paul has stated that since Jesus and we live by faith and not the law that it didn't make the law of none effect, God forbid! But read Galatians since it's short and provide me with your understanding. I mean Paul says in Chapt 3 that the law was a curse and that the promise of faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. He called the law a yoke of bondage and if we are led by the Spirit we are not under the law. We all know this is God telling Paul to write this and not of Paul him self. Break it down for us please. Thank you. Now where does it IMPLY that God is talking about just the creatures He said that were good to eat in the OT. Wouldn't He have said that. He said EVERY creature not just those that were mentioned in the OT. In the OT He made it clear and I believe He is making it clear here also. Now the thing about Pork and what doctors say what it does. Black folk in this country have high blood pressure because of more things than eating pork with what we have to deal with in society. Doctors tell us anything and we take what they say as the gospel. I believe in God's Word and if He tells me to ask for thanksgiving for what I eat and it will be alright I believe Him. He doesn't lie but I know man does. Personally I don't eat meat per se anyway and haven't for over 25 years. I eat fish because in the Word that's all they ate (NT) it seems. Meat as pork, beef stays too long in my system and makes me sluggish. I don't like the taste of lamb and goat though I like goats milk. LOL Sometimes it seems to me we all go back and forth from the OT to the NT and don't rightly divide the Word and take the OT and nullify the NT and take the NT and nullify the OT based on our own beliefs instead of what the Word is saying. That's just my take and I'm not pointing fingers at anyone so don't anyone come back at me half crazy. LOL I've got so much going on in my head right now until I don't know whether I'm coming or going. LOL

[James Pierce]

1 Tim 4:4-5: For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

This scripture has been misunderstood when it comes to Yahweh's dietary laws. Christians always read into this text to fit their denominational, or personal beliefs.

The only foods that are "set apart(holy) by God's word, are the foods that are outlined in the Torah. Most Christians think that God has now let all Gentiles eat pork, shellfish, and all unclean animals, while his Jews adhere to his laws. This does not make Logical sense. If Gentiles are grafted into the Olive Tree with Israel, does that mean we are to adhere to the same rules that they do? Of course, for Jew & Gentile are ONE in Yahshua.

Again, the only foods that are set apart by the word of God are the foods outlined in the Torah. Christians only read into the text whats actually not there. Foundational wise, its not their fault, for they were not taught Torah foundations.

The vision that Peter had is another misunderstood scripture. Christians will tell you that God was telling Peter, a Torah-Observant Jew, that all unclean foods are now good to eat. That cannot be further from the truth. Those unclean foods that God showed Peter represented the Gentiles that God has called out as people unto himself, just like he called out the Jews.

I have to say that ALL followers of Yahshua are under ONE LAW. 2 law theology, in my opinion, is heresey. To say that the Jews follow this, and the Gentiles follow that, will always cause dividance among God's people. But, Yahshua's body is ONE, we are under ONE TORAH.

Galatians is probably the most twisted, to their own destruction book in the New Testament. The book of Galatians is about Judaizers that were forcing "Rabbinic traditions" on Yahshua's followers. One tradition, which was also the center of debate in Acts 15, was that one had to be circumized to be saved. Paul was not debating these men for telling them to observe Torah, rather, he was debating them because they were telling Yahshua's followers to observe man-made traditions. To my knowledge, Jewish dietary laws are not even mentioned in Galatians.

To be a follower of Yahshua and say," I think we should eat anything in moderation", sounds convincing, but in true exegesis of scripture, It does not hold water. As Yahshua's followers, we are to eat the foods that are holy by God's word(1 Tim 4:4-5). And yes, too much Pork can cause many health problems, but since Yahweh said do not eat it period, I think we should adhere to his Torah, for there are huge blessings for doing so(Duet 6, 28).

Be blessed in Yahweh,
James

[Tara Robinson]

what saddens me is you cannot do away with the OT and just say The NT is what is truth i feel as this if jesus did not change our eating habits in the NT why is there an problem if god said it then that should settle it. But for those who are really sure its ok to eat pork did you ever really just pray and ask god to show you that it's ok i did and he let me know his law still remains about clean and unclean foods.I think anytime you use what the bibles says to make a point know your history about that text before you sound off on what i have heard tons and tons of preachers say.A lot of what we think is being said is not always so and i don't believe in misleading anyone so as Gods People we will be accountable for all we say and do in the lord and i am saying be sure you know your answers are right and pleasing to god.

[anna]

Yahsua did not do away with the the law but when you come to fufill something you make it complete, in other words he made the law complete in his flesh... If he did not die we would still be under the curse of the laws he provided to Moses, God knew the law could not make man right with him that why he sent his son........If the law justifies us then why do we need the blood of his son? Luke 5:37,38 No one puts new wine into old wine skins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved. No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’" we can not afford to say the Old is better God has preseverd both the old a new testament in his son's flesh. Can a man walk in grace and the law god forbids you must walk under Grace...Grace said that we are to call nothing unclean that God has made clean weather it be pork, clothing, people etc.... God people are perishing for a lack of knowledge.

[CHIKU]

The Leviticus 11.7 & 11.8 are word of the God as I believe, How can we just dis regard it? This is specifically mentioned Dont eat PIG?

There is nowhere mentioned in the bible YES PIG IS CLEAN NOW YOU CAN EAT.

so other more general terms which are in different context should not be used to reverse the Leviticus 11.7 & 11.8.

Then why entire Matt. dont Tell YOU CAN EAT PIG?

Is there anywhere like that?

Probably matthew or any other chapter are not to reject what is mentioned in the earlier chapters.

Thanks, please correct my mis understandings.......

[Hezekiah Ben Israel]

Animals you can Eat

Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

Animals you cannot Eat

Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean unto you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and of their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean unto you.

Fish you can Eat

These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters; whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.

Fish you cannot Eat

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination. Whatsoever have no fins nor scales in the waters, shall be an abomination unto you.

Birds you cannot eat

And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Every raven after his kind; And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat, All fowls that creep, going upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.

Birds you can Eat

Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

[BruthaPharoah]

I've got a greater question concerning the pork

Is this pretaining to the to the Day of the lord????
Isaiah66:15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.


Isaiah 65: 3A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
4Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
5Which 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.
6Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

[Eccl. 12:13]

Yes it is. And YES God is going to punish those He said He would. Now my question to those reading this post is this; "Why would God punish someone for eating swine, if His Dietary laws were nailed to the cross?"

Any thoughts out there "Pastors"?

.

[Zealot X]

I think what people are missing is the reason they were told not to do certain things in the first place. Was it for him? Or was it for us, our benefit, and our protection?

Which one among you knows how to protect your own bodies better than YHWH, your maker?


Shabbat shalom

[Chaplain Pat Harris]

Good and wise point Bro. Zealot X.

[Zealot X]

I have also taste pork before and yes it does taste good. Of course doctors will most often wait until your health is already bad in order to tell you to cut out the pork from your diet. I believe that all plants and animals have a purpose. We don't eat bees. But we do eat their honey as well as they spread pollen and help the plants. Many animals are scavengers. I think of them as the garbage men (oops.... "sanitation engineers") of nature. They often eat the things we would no and their excrement is something that may be easier for the earth to digest. Throw a hamburger outside on the grass and see what happens to it. Creation is amazing. But you also need animals who will do the same jobs in other environment, especially rocky terrains.

Another consideration is that many animals are toxic or poisonous. This is often their defense mechanism against predators. There are plants and animals that can hurt us. There are poisons so bad that can stop your heart in minutes. A lot of things that are harmful are not harmful in small amounts but will eventually kill you over time with repeated consumption. You can build a tolerance for poisons but toxins in your system can really mess you up long term. As you body fights to stay healthy against one threat it may have a diminished ability to handle another. Pigs do not have sweat glands and therefore they cannot release toxins through their skin. Whatever toxins they release must be through their natural wastes. While the meat still has protein it also has an amount of toxins. Your body can handle a certain amount of toxins because it has its own ways of filtering them out but it cannot handle any amount of toxins you throw at it. So often someone can smoke if they're otherwise healthy and live long (relatively speaking) but the combination of other habits may significantly reduce their lifespans.

Adam was immortal before he sinned. For all we know he may have introduced a viral toxin into his system by eating the fruit which then cut off his immortality. The dietary laws in the scriptures are laws, I believe, can be broken without it constituting a sin. These laws have a lot to do with "cleanness" or sanitation. If you did something that made you "unclean" you would be unclean until even and would also need to wash yourself. I believe much of this was aimed at protecting the people from germs and disease (things they couldn't see).