unclean animals? Are we Required to keep food laws under the new covenant?

I'm finding that some Christians that were keeping these laws as a thing of their conscience, but now more than ever there is a teaching out there that we are to adhere to food laws, feasts and other laws.

I believe 2 Timothy 3:15-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

As we can see God uses the unclean laws to show the fulfillment of them in Acts 10:10 -
10 And Peter became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius (Gentile) had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 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?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feared God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 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.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the seaside: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feared him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

My understanding of this vision was that God was speaking to Peter about accepting the Gentiles and the proof was that God poured out the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles who believed on Jesus for the remission of sins. verse 43-45
The new covenant was being inaugurated through Jesus' ministry and the unclean was the type and shadow of the things coming to pass.

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”[e] 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”[f] (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Are we required? No. I feel another "Sabbath" type debate coming on so I'm putting you on ignore for now. Nothing personal.

That's fine!I understand. I have quite a bit of Torah observant Christians in the area that need more clarification on certain verses at least from my perspective.

I don't think there are any food laws that are required. Sometimes it seems like there is a food law, such as in Acts 21:25, but then later in verses such as the ones you quoted there is not a food law. The way I explain Acts 21:25 in a way that makes sense is that they were probably referring to things they should do so as to not become a stumbling block to others.

I think the practicing Jews were taking their food laws quite seriously. I think breaking their food laws was more than a minor annoyance to them, but most likely got them furious at times. While on the one hand if someone is prone to fits of rage it's a personal problem they need to confront; on the other hand if someone is so far out of control it's better to not do anything to provoke them. I think that's what it's about.

This issue is thoroughly explained in Romans 14. The continued controversy is a little amazing (and baffling).

3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit...

20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

You already quoted from 2 Timothy. So now you should show these Torah observant Christians 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.

What is Paul saying in plain English? There are no dietary restrictions for Christians. Of course once people jump onto a false doctrine bandwagon, they never give it up.

No food offered to idols; and also some people have convictions that are specific to them- and that can include abstinence from certain foods, however, this has nothing to do with the OT law, though.

I am quite fine with not eating stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous artiodactyl mammals.

Don't much care for a lot of sea food, either

So how do you feel about yellow-bellied liver-lipped sap-sucking thoracic monopeds?

God gave eating laws to the nation of Israel to help keep them healthy and disease free. The body of Christ has no such laws but there is wisdom for today in such eating habits.

No. Food laws were given to protect the health of the people of Israel. Those laws do not apply to non-Jews any more than the 600 or so other laws that were given. We no longer sacrifice animals, we no longer burn down houses where someone had an infectious disease and who washes their hands six times now? We have soap and water instead.

God's law was given to the lawless. God's Spirit has been given to the born again. We live by mercy and grace, not by rules and regulations. The Pharisees kept the law to perfection, yet Jesus condemned their hypocrisy. Let's not get caught up in their sin.

Colossians 2:15-17

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.…"

Some want to live in the shadows. I'll live in the light, thanks all the same.

Three things to begin with, if I may?

[1] Acts 10-11 demonstrate that Peter (and as recorded by Luke), years after the resurrection of Jesus, said, "... I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean." (Acts 10:14, see also Acts 11:8) Peter never had the impression that Jesus had ever intimated "Thus he declared all foods clean". John, in the book of Revelation, written circa AD 90ish, also mentions the "unclean" frogs & birds (Revelation 16:13, 18:2) in contrast to the clean. Acts 15:20,29, 21:25, also repeat health law from OT, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, &c, for those Gentiles which were repenting, or "turned to God" (Acts 15:19).

[2] Mark 7:19, in your OP, is a false translation, which leads to a misunderstanding and erroneous,even dangerous to health and life, belief. The actual translation of the GNT TR reads

[3] What was the original diet of mankind (everyone in Adam the first) in Genesis 1-2 (1 Tim. 4:3) as given "created" by God?

I reckon that would depend upon how hungry you were. Original or extra crispy?

In Johns' vision he was speaking of 3 unclean spirits that came from the dragon, false prophet and the beast, so I'm not seeing how this is doctrine for the Church and how this promotes health law for the Gentiles. I understand that eating healthy and in moderation is good and Godly,
Also, I'm not sure where in these passages in Acts shows certain animals being prohibited.
Acts 15 :5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses....................24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
in Acts 15:19 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Genesis 9
9 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

But... bacon!

Don't worry, I'll have your share. And that of anyone else who chooses to abstain.

ServantoftheMostHigh said:

In Johns' vision he was speaking of 3 unclean spirits that came from the dragon, false prophet and the beast, so I'm not seeing how this is doctrine for the Church and how this promotes health law for the Gentiles. I understand that eating healthy and in moderation is good and Godly,

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1 Corinthians 15:46.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Both are tied together. There are still, in John's day (AD 90ish), unclean frogs, and unclean birds. John draws from these natural things, to identify spiritual wickedness. Even as may be done today. The things that surround us, in the natural, when studied in the Spirit of God, explain greater spiritual things. Jesus, drew constantly from the natural things in the wilderness around Him, to teach spiritual matters. This is what also took place in Peter's vision. God used the natural, to explain the spiritual.

This means, that the unclean and clean division, as given by God, in the OT (long before Moses, Genesis 7:2,8), still remains and exists. It is something that does not change with Calvary. Health, exists the same, as it was from the beginning.

The very matter of diet, exists from the Garden of Eden, at least as far as humanity goes. A tree to be eaten from, and a tree not to be eaten from. The not to be eaten tree "looked good for food" according to Eve, but was in fact, not good for food according to God's regulation.

In relation to the last days, God stated in Isaiah, that there would be those still breaking the laws of health:


Paul warned:

ServantoftheMostHigh said:

Also, I'm not sure where in these passages in Acts shows certain animals being prohibited.
Acts 15 :5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses....................24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
in Acts 15:19 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

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I never said it did. My exact words were, "Acts 15:20,29, 21:25, also repeat health law from OT, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, &c, for those Gentiles which were repenting, or "turned to God" (Acts 15:19)." If you would like, I can show you exactly where Acts 15 (James) is drawing from in those OT health laws. Additonally, Acts 15, never states, that those 4 things are the only requirements. it is simply stating the immediate solutions to problems that had specifically arisen. The Gentiles would always learn more, "For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." (Acts 15:21). More on this as needful.

ServantoftheMostHigh said:

Genesis 9
9 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

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Indeed. Nothing about eating flesh of beasts, birds or bait. So, 1 Timothy 4, when it says, "... abstain from meats [k. Greek, "βρωματωνG1033 N-GPN", aka, foods], which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." all refers to Genesis 1-2, and the fruit trees and things there God gave to makind in creation for food ("meat", food, substance).


Roman Catholicism has strict requirement or regulations on Lent, and other of their feast days which mandatorily demand the not eating of those things which God Himself said was OK.

People abuse what 1 Timothy 4 says. Peter warned about that.


To eat/drink the wrong thing (unlawful by God's command), will bring destruction of mind and body, and can lead to eternal destruction.

That which is allowed by God in His word, must be proven by that word, and then by asking God in prayer.


The words "sanctified by the word", means that anything that is to be eaten or drank, must first be specifically set aside for that holy use, in scripture.

The "Unclean" and the "Abomination" are never "sanctified" in all the Bible.

I forgot about bacon But I could easily live without it... my daughter likes it, though

They even make chocolate with bacon it it You may have my share of that, as well

It's your choice.
Pro 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Some wise counsel from God and backed up by science and history...

As long as pigs have existed, people have weighed their hunger for meat against worries about how the animals lived and what they ate. And today, we have just as much reason to worry about how pigs are living.
Pigs "cheweth not the cud" because they possess simple guts, unable to digest cellulose. Pigs are unclean because they ate filth. They’re considered the garbage and waste eliminators of the farm, often eating literally anything they can find. This includes not only bugs, insects and whatever leftover scraps they find laying around, but also their own feces, as well as the dead carcasses of sick animals, including their own young. More then one farmer has gone out to feed his pigs and never returned. They literally became the pig’s breakfast.

The Jews were not alone in teaching that pigs are unclean. In the great civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, priests and rulers avoided pork at all costs.

Just knowing what a pig’s diet is like can explain why the meat of the pig can be so dirty or at the very least not so appetizing to eat.

The pig’s Problematic Digestive System has to do with how quickly it digests what it eats. Only 4 hours for a pig compared to 24 hours for a cow.

During the digestive process, animals (including humans) get rid of excess toxins as well as other components of the food eaten that could be dangerous to health. Since the pig’s digestive system operates rather basically, many of these toxins remain in its system to be stored in its more than adequate fatty tissues ready for our consumption.

Another issue with the pig is that it has very few functional sweat glands and can barely sweat at all. This leaves more toxins in the pig’s body. When you consume pork meat, you too get all these toxins that weren’t eliminated from the pig. None of us needs more toxins in our systems.

Think of the kidneys and sweat glands elimination urine and sweat toxins ... the pig stores lots of this for you to eat.

We should all do what we can to eliminate and cut down on toxin exposure. One vital way to do this is by choosing what you eat carefully, and for me, that definitely includes completely avoiding pork products of any kind.

There is much more science about parasites, and disease to show why God said "Don't eat pigs" Lev11.
And the pig or the human body has not changed.

Gods wisdom doesn't change.

But if you want to follow the wisdom of man because the meat of pigs tastes so good.
Thats your choice.
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.