Is it OK to eat pork?
Introduction. Under the Law of Moses, animals were divided into two classes based on various physical characteristics to determine if they were "clean" to eat. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 for more details. This is the main reason why Jews do not eat pork and other "non-kosher" foods.
Under the Law of Christ. It is important to properly distinguish between the Law of Moses given to the Israelites and the Law of Christ that replaced it. Yes, there were certain things forbidden by the Law of Moses (including unclean foods like pork) and personally observed by Jesus as a Jew during His lifetime. But that religious system was taken away by Jesus nailing it to the cross and was replaced with the Gospel (Col. 2:14, 16). That also includes Sabbath worship (including capital punishment for violators), animal sacrifices, religious use of incense and instrumental music, the priesthood, tithing, religious robes & choirs, circumcision, and so on.
Food restrictions today. Generally speaking, no one today has the right to impose restrictions on the people of God concerning what they may eat. Note especially what God instructed Peter in Acts 10:9-16 as well as what Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Tim. 4:1-5. Two exceptions to this general rule are:
Under the Law of Christ. It is important to properly distinguish between the Law of Moses given to the Israelites and the Law of Christ that replaced it. Yes, there were certain things forbidden by the Law of Moses (including unclean foods like pork) and personally observed by Jesus as a Jew during His lifetime. But that religious system was taken away by Jesus nailing it to the cross and was replaced with the Gospel (Col. 2:14, 16). That also includes Sabbath worship (including capital punishment for violators), animal sacrifices, religious use of incense and instrumental music, the priesthood, tithing, religious robes & choirs, circumcision, and so on.
Food restrictions today. Generally speaking, no one today has the right to impose restrictions on the people of God concerning what they may eat. Note especially what God instructed Peter in Acts 10:9-16 as well as what Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Tim. 4:1-5. Two exceptions to this general rule are:
- Acts 15:28-29 which prohibits the consumption of blood and inadequately drained meat from strangled animals.
- Rom. 14 which prohibits a person from violating his own conscience by eating something he thinks is unclean (esp. verses 2, 14, 23).