Should Christians eat Swine?
Lev 11:7 And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
Deu 14:8 And the pig, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch.”
The question is, are these laws valid for today? It clearly says in scriptures that there is no meat that is unclean and ALL meat is good for food.
1Ti 4:3 commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Paul is saying that a simple prayer and thanksgiving will sanctify the meat, whatever meat it is. Romans 14:14 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.”
Why did Paul said that if he believe that Christians should not eat certain meat? Paul knew that the binding laws were abolished, Colossians 2:14 “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.” The law was only placed over the Children of Israel because of the rebellion. Galatians 3:19 Why, then, was the law given? It was added because of transgressions.”
Christians who practices the tradition of the Old Testament Law of not eating certain meat have placed themselves under a yoke that is not necessary or valid in the New Testament Era. The burden of the law of meat was a curse, Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:” and was only set as a restriction to the Israelites to keep them constricted to the commandments and precepts of God.
Nevertheless, we cannot judge those who do not eat meat or those who eat.
Romans 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Vs.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. Vs.4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?
The scriptures also says,
Ch 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Vs.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Vs.19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Vs.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.
Vs.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.
Vs.22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Vs.23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1Corinthians 8:7-13 can also be read to broaden the understand.
Lev 11:7 And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
Deu 14:8 And the pig, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch.”
The question is, are these laws valid for today? It clearly says in scriptures that there is no meat that is unclean and ALL meat is good for food.
1Ti 4:3 commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Paul is saying that a simple prayer and thanksgiving will sanctify the meat, whatever meat it is. Romans 14:14 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.”
Why did Paul said that if he believe that Christians should not eat certain meat? Paul knew that the binding laws were abolished, Colossians 2:14 “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.” The law was only placed over the Children of Israel because of the rebellion. Galatians 3:19 Why, then, was the law given? It was added because of transgressions.”
Christians who practices the tradition of the Old Testament Law of not eating certain meat have placed themselves under a yoke that is not necessary or valid in the New Testament Era. The burden of the law of meat was a curse, Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:” and was only set as a restriction to the Israelites to keep them constricted to the commandments and precepts of God.
Nevertheless, we cannot judge those who do not eat meat or those who eat.
Romans 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Vs.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. Vs.4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?
The scriptures also says,
Ch 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Vs.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Vs.19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Vs.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.
Vs.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.
Vs.22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Vs.23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1Corinthians 8:7-13 can also be read to broaden the understand.