New Testament Dietary Instruction
It should be understood that the New Testament Scriptures do not engage in throwing out what the Lord our God has instructed His creation to eat. Instead the New Testament deals with the history of what the Lord Jesus and the holy apostles had to deal with regarding traditions of men and heresies that had circumvented the clear will of God. The following Scriptural contexts will demonstrate this fully.
Did You Wash Your Hands???
Matthew 15:1-20
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the Commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
But He answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 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.
So what does this all mean???
In this context the Lord never once mentions eating swine or removing the dietary instructions laid out in the Torah. Instead He attacks and destroys the man-made restriction of NOT EATING WITH UNWASHED HANDS. The same matter is again addressed with greater detail regarding the actual traditions of the elders in the gospel of Mark.
Mark 7:1-23
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
In conclusion of this section we can see some very prominent points that we should address as gospel order for our time.
No man (whether he is a priest, pastor, minister, elder, or pope) has the right to impose his or her man-made restrictions that have no foundation in Scripture.
If we see someone who is doing something that is contrary to Holy Scripture, we are not to do as the Pharisees and make a public spectacle. Instead we are to follow the Lord's example and teaching in Matthew 18:15-20. We are to show forth true love to our brethren and correct them with compassion, seeking to restore them to the right path, not condemn them and shame them away from the Merciful Lord Jesus our Messiah.
When we do circumvent any of God's requirements then indeed we make the Commandments of God of NONE EFFECT. That means that we may read it in church, but it has no meaning or application in our everyday life because men have replaced these holy, just, and good precepts with their modern traditions. That is not a living abiding faith. Instead it is base hypocrisy and a sham, a person impostering to be a follower of Messiah in name only. The Holy Ghost cannot bless and empower us to obey men and their exactions. He is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), and God's Word is Truth (John 17:13) and He was sent to guide us only by that God inspired rule (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17).
Peters Vision Acts 10
Acts 10-28
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
It is truly amazing that should clears contexts of Scripture that deal with more important matters (i.e, the call to the gentile Cornelius to receive Jesus as Messiah) could be used by liberal ministers to teach that you can eat a ham and cheese sandwich. Peter doubted that it was a literal vision, but modern minds think otherwise. Bottom line, "God hath shewed me that I should not call (or treat) any man as common or unclean.
The concept of any uncleaness of man or woman would forbid them to enjoy the company of the Osraelite community. Some reasons were truly necessary for health-sake, but in this regard, Peter had made the sad decision to only befriend the non-Jews when other Jews were not present. Paul addressed this matter to him in person, but also wrote it down for others learning.
Galatians 2:11-13
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Dissimulation is a form of deception in which one conceals the truth. It differs from simulation, in which one exhibits false information. The gospel could not take hold in the world while this exhibition of division was permitted to continue. We as Christians are not to be divided for any reason of culture or race. Unfeigned love is to reign. As we can see from Paul's observation, Peter's example as a pillar was rubbing off upon the other Jewish brethren. How many of the gentiles who were seeking God and the Messiah Jesus fell away from faith after such abuse we do not know, but it is a certainty that the heart of man would not be able to endure such rejection and being given the cold shoulder by the disciples of Jesus unless it was first made a partakerof the divine nature having been subdued by grace and bearing the credentials of heaven (the fruits of the Spirit). We too must be careful in our day not to be self decieved in this matter. If anyone ever asks you the definitioin of unfeigned love, beware, perhaps you are being called on the carpet for having a pretended (or hypocritical) air about yourself when it comes to loving your neighbor and especially the brethren. Remember the Words of Jesus.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Acts 11:1-16 gives the narrative of Peter going to the circumcised brethren to report to them the experience he had concerning the vision and both the visit with Cornelius and the what he discerned it all to mean. First of all it must be noted that Peter was sharply rebuked by they of the circumcision who said, "Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them???" (verse 3)
But Peter had before decided how he would explain himself (as it he needed to for such a thing).
Acts 11:17-18
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
So again we see that this vision concerning the sheet let down from heaven was meant to serve an important lesson for the early Church to tear down that wall of separation between Jew and Greek.
Thank God it is gone... Or is it?
Paul's Letter to Timothy regarding latter day apostasy from truth
1 Timothy 4:1-5
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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 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: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
The statments of Paul the Apostle have been used to incorrectly give many gullible listeners the false impressions that anything goes. You can eat all God's creatures, but the context screams of qualification of what is created to be eaten.
First we must notice verse 5, in which the Apostle Paul makes crystal clear that the meats (foods) he is referencing are meats that the Word of God has sanctified (set apart) to be used for food.
If it is not first sanctified by that rule of faith, then it matters not how much we pray over it, it is never going to be what God intended for us to subsist upon.
Getting back to the rule of faith, let us all reaquaint ourselves with where faith comes from.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
With this verse in mind, perhaps you can now see what is at stake when Paul warns,
"some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
In departing from the expressed will of God as recorded in Scripture, the natural inventor of other doctrines will always be the spirit of Satan.
Remember the garden of God wherein He placed Adam and gave him right and good instruction regarding diet. Did he not say,
Genesis 2:16,17
Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
God told Adam emphatically, "In the day you eat thereof, you will surely die." The instruction of the Lord God was very plain, and yet when Eve stood before the talking serpent she heard,
Genesis 3:4
Ye shall not surely die.
I hope for your sake you see that this is a life and death matter here brethren. God's covenant is hear and obey. Obey and live. In our day there are men using the same method of Satan, which is appetite to destroy many honest God fearing people.
So many are being drawn off course from loving God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and bodies, to instead make god their bellies (their appetite for food and drink).
The standards of diet as set forth in Scripture are plain and reasonable.
The rest of the interpretation of 1 Timothy 4:1-5 has purely prophetic significance. I have prepared a lesson on the book of Daniel entitled, "The Three Fold Union that Leadeth to Perdition." Within that lesson you shall find the clear understanding of this prophecy the Apostle Paul uttered because the prophet Daniel also had the same vision regarding a power that would forbid to marry.
New Testament Commands Concerning Unclean
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Being unequally yoked has various applications.
- Marriage
- Business
- friendship
There are many ways by which Satan will attempt to unsettle the faith of them that are God's people. Marriage with the daughters of Cain brought about the flood because the line of demarcation between the sons of God had been forever severed and intermarriage with unbelievers beget unbelieving children that feared not God.
The floodwater of sin rushed upon all the inhabitants of the world prior to the a literal deluge of water. In business and our relationships with friends we must always be mindful that we can never be joined together in other men's sins as we shall also suffer along with them for God is no respecter of persons.
What is unclean that we should not touch? The Old Testament list is plain and does not need revision. David spake concerning the Commands, Statutes, and Laws saying,
Psalms 19:11
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
God loves us so very much that He gave His people (who are called by His name) special instructions to keep them safe, healthy, and wise, even though they live in a war zone of sin.
We are not to live as the world lives. We should say as did Solomon,
1 Kings 3:7-12
And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
I want the same blessing from the Father above. I admit that I did not know a thing about the abundant life Jesus wanted for me and died that I may have until He came into my life. I thank God for making His children peculiar (different) so we may know that we are pleasing Him and not just going with the flow of the world all the time.