God's law is applicable to all of mankind not just particularly a group or sect or particular religion. Pig belong to the forbidden animals, and not allowed to be eaten by the believers because Pig eats almost anything dirty and these creatures are scavengers and feed on the waste and filth of the earth, whether in the waters or on the land. Pigs are high in fat, cholesterol, deadly diseases, and trichina worms. God created them for the purpose of disposing of the earth's garbage.
1. Clean and unclean animals are listed in Lev. 11 and Deut. 14:
a)Unclean Land animals : Swine, Coyote, Dog, Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wolf, Cat, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Panther, Tiger, Donkey, Horse, Mule, Onager, Quagga, Zebra, Badger, Coney, Hare, Monkey, Opossum, Porcupine, Raccoon, Skunk, Squirrel, Bear, Camel, Elephant, Gorilla, Hippo, Kangaroo, Lama, Rhino, Wallaby etc.
b)Unclean water animals lacking fins and scales: Catfish, Eel, Marlin, Shark, Sturgeon, Abalone, Clam, Crab, Crayfish, Lobster, Mussel, Prawn, Oyster, Scallop, Shrimp, Cuttlefish, Jellyfish, Limpet, Octopus, Squid, Dolphin, Otter, Seal, Walrus, Whale, Crocodile, Turtle, Frog, Newt, Salamander, Toad, Lizard
c)Unclean birds: Albatross, Bat, Bittern, Condor, Cormorant, Crane, Crow, Cuckoo, Eagle, Flamingo, Grosbeak, Gull, Hawk, Heron, Kite, Lapwing, Loon, Osprey, Ostrich, Owl, Pelican, Penguin, Plover, Raven, Stork, Swallow, Swan, Swift, Vulture, Water Hen, Woodpecker
2. Scriptures Forbid Pork/unclean meat:
Deuteronomy 14:7-8: However, of those that chew the cud or that have a split hoof completely divided you may not eat the camel, the rabbit or the Coney. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a split hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you. The pig is also unclean; although it has a split hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.
Isaiah 65:4: Who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat.
Leviticus 11:7: And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
Isaiah 66:17: Those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things--they will meet their end together," declares the LORD.
Matthew 8:31: The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs
Deut 14:3 "You shall not eat any detestable thing.
Deut 12:23: Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat.
2 Peter 2:22 A dog returns to its vomit." And another says, "A washed pig returns to the mud."
Acts 10:28, "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."
3. Jesus Christ did not make unclean meat as clean: Satan is the author of confusion. Satan confuses many people with endless doubts and blatant errors continuously .
Satan leads others to give their own opinions and ideas. God wants us to be healthy and he has given instructions on everything but we always try to be disobedient to Gods word and his laws bring sickness on ourselves and expect God to heal us for the damage that we caused ourselves. Matthew 13:15 says "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
Jesus did not abolish the law concerning clean and unclean meats, but He fulfilled it by setting an example of abiding by that law. As Isaiah 66:3 says “they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. Jesus and his disciples did not eat unclean meat since they follow the Law of Moses.
Matthew 5:17-19: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be least in the Kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Since Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is: the same yesterday, today and forever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines."
God’s people must be holy just as God is holy. One of the identifying signs of being called and set apart from other peoples by God is to avoid eating unclean flesh.
Lev 20:23-26 says ‘And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them. 'But I have said to you, "You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey." I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. 'You shall therefore distinguish between clean animals and unclean, between unclean birds and clean, and you shall not make yourselves abominable by beast or by bird, or by any kind of living thing that creeps on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 'And you shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.
Jesus did command the unclean spirits to enter a herd of swine in (Mark 5:13). So how can people say that one can eat pork after Christ's death. Ezekiel criticized the priests for their failure to teach the people the difference between the clean and the unclean.
Ezekiel 22:26:Her priest have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and the profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eyes form my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
God gave these unclean meats instructions in the Old Testament for our instruction now today to follow and ever to follow.
4. Misinterpreted scriptures to justify eating of unclean meats.: Word of God has been Perverted by many preachers and pastors who have misinterpreted scriptures by not rightly dividing the Gods word have led many into sickness and disease just like the scriptures said would happen to all of His people who are disobedient unto Him. Jude 1:3-4 warns us about the spiritual perverts who pervert Gods message and teaching. Once we know the truth of Gods word, the truth will set us free and God requires His people to abstain from swine's flesh, He will convict them on the matter. There are a lot of people out there with "itching ears"; and a lot of people who are "ever learning but never able to come to an understanding of the truth" (2 Timothy 4:3). In Luke 16:8 scripture reminds us that Worldly people are cleverer than spiritually-minded people when it comes to dealing with others. Only clean animals were sacrificed on any altar during Noah's (Gen 8:20, Gen 9:3) Abraham (Gen 26:5 ), Moses, and Daniel (Dan 1:8-Dan 1:20, Exo 15:26) time.
God said something was unclean once, how dare mere man try and make God out of a lie and said he has changed it and made it clean. Does being a Christian make unclean
meat any less “unclean” in God’s eyes? God does not change. I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Malachi 3:6.. God accused His people of destroying themselves for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), and promised freedom from disease if they followed His laws (Exodus 15:26). In Leviticus 11:44 god says: For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. In Matthew 5:16-19 and Luke 16:17 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
a) Acts 10:9-16: Peter’s conclusion is shown in verse 28. Notice that he did not interpret it as meaning he could begin eating unclean meats.
Acts 10:28: Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
What did God show Peter? Peter said God hath showed me that I should not call any MAN common or unclean. God created ONLY clean meats to be received, not unclean meats.
In the vision, Peter refuses by saying "I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” why did he strongly refuse to eat the unclean things that he saw in the vision? Paul did not eat unclean meat or he would not have been able to say "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all" (Acts 25:8; Acts 21:24). Only clean meats are food to Paul who was also a Jew.
God was showing Peter that Christians were no longer separate from gentiles. Because in those days the gentiles were considered as unclean and the Israelites were considered as clean to God. Many have grossly misinterpreted, misapplied scriptural interpretation and said the unclean animal was clean. Paul also says that for you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Peter then concludes with a look at Jesus as our Chief Shepherd. "For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25). Thus we may follow, obey, and conform to the life of Jesus (Heb. 12:1,2). Let us therefore be followers of Christ. To violate the commands of God is sin which says in 1 John 3:4.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Cor. 1:10-13.
Notice how God is revealing things. Peter Never came to a conclusion that it was now okay to eat unclean animals. And as Peter doubted what his vision meant, the three men that Cornelius sent arrived - and the Spirit told him to arise and meet them, doubting nothing. So Peter did as the Spirit told him and the men of Cornelius explained the purpose of their visit. So the next day Peter went with them and met Cornelius.
By further reading of Acts 10 one will not be able to find Peter coming to conclusion that it was okay to eat unclean animals. Instead Peter realized that God was revealing to him that he should not call Gentiles or any man “common or unclean”.
Peters Vision clearly states that God had opened salvation to the Gentiles and therefore the Gentiles should no longer be regarded as “common” or unclean. Again, this passage has nothing to do with clean and unclean animals.
b) Translations errors of scripture:
Mark 7:18 (NIV) "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'?
Mark 7:19 (NIV) For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
Mark 7:18 (KJV) 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;
Mark 7:19 (KJV) Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Those two translations do not say the same thing. The King James does not have Jesus declaring all foods clean. It is saying all food passes through the body and is expelled. Jesus is not removing the prohibition on eating unclean animals. Modern translations like the NIV that say Jesus declared all foods clean are in error, and are intentionally mistranslated in order to justify eating the biblically unclean animals. The NIV translators removed 64,576 words as compared to the King James Bible.
Many of them have misunderstood that” Jesus just declared all foods clean “ but when you read at the end of verse 20 tells us exactly what Jesus was talking about when He said, “but to eat with unwashed hands defileth not a man.” Clean and unclean foods were not the subject here, but rather washing hands according to the traditional laws man had made. Were the Pharisees arguing about clean and unclean meats or animals? they were not even discussing about meat, rather the Pharisees were taking exception to Christ’s disciples eating with “unwashed hands”. The Pharisees were insisting on the “tradition of the elders” of washing their hands in a special way before eating. SO Christ response was in Mark 7:6-9. that the people were into ritualistic washing of hands was a practice before eating instead of ordinary washing of hands hence Jesus Christ said it was the doctrine or commandment originated by men rather than by God.
It is obvious from Christ’s comment that the Pharisees were hiding behind the outward show of “righteousness” of washing their hands to deflect attention from their disobedience to God’s law . In all this account there is no discussion of clean and unclean animals. Hence, we cannot use this passage to make conclusions regarding clean and unclean animals.
Rather, it revolved around Jewish traditional of ritual purity, such as ceremonial hand washing.” Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes from Jerusalem came together to Him. And when they saw some of His disciples eating with defiled hands (that is, unwashed hands),they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews, holding fast to the tradition of the elders, do not eat unless they wash their hands thoroughly.
For this reason, the Pharisees and the scribes questioned Him, saying, ‘Why don’t Your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?’ ” (Mark 7:15).
Drawing a sharp distinction between the Jews’ traditions and the commandments of God,
Jesus accused the scribes and Pharisees of invalidating the Word of God by their traditions.” And He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.” For leaving the commandment of God, you hold fast the tradition of men, such as the washing of pots and cups [and ritual hand washing]; and you practice many other things like this.’ Then He said to them, ‘Full well do you reject the commandment of God, so that you may observe your own tradition’ ” (verses 69).
Jesus sternly rebuked the Jews for “nullifying” the authority of the Word of God by their countless and restrictive traditions (verse 13).
Notice that Jesus’ primary response was to defend and fully support the laws and commandments of God. In no way have God’s laws been abrogated. Having made that point, He went on to deal with the question of eating with “unwashed hands.” Addressing the multitude, He said, “Hear Me, all of you, and understand. There is nothing that enters into a man from outside which is able to defile him; but the things that come out from within him, those are the things which defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” (verses 14-16).
Obviously, unwashed hands will not particularly defile a person. But Jesus said there was
“nothing that enters into a man from outside which is able to defile him.” Does that mean unclean meats were no longer prohibited by God’s law—that literally nothing can defile a person? What did Jesus mean? For this reason, the Pharisees and the scribes questioned Him, saying, ‘Why don’t Your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?’ ” (Mark 7:15).
Obviously, unwashed hands will not particularly defile a person. But Jesus said there was
“Nothing that enters into a man from outside which is able to defile him.” Does that mean unclean meats were no longer prohibited by God’s law—that literally nothing can defile a person? What did Jesus mean?
c) As we read Mark 7:1-5 we read the immediate context which we must consider in our interpretation. Mark 7:1-5: The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”
Pharisees criticized Christ's disciples for eating food with "unwashed hands" (verse 2); that is, without washing their hands first "in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. Swine (the pig) remains unclean animal even in the New Testament, no wonder Jesus send the unclean spirits (demons) in them( Luke 8:32).
Many false teachers blindly interpreted this passage to be speaking about eating unclean animals. God's people have been robbed of the depth of true biblical meaning. The vision of Peter had in Acts 10 is out of context. But, the text makes it clear that the passage is addressing the subject of tradition and food coming in contact with unwashed hands and unwashed eating utensils. It has absolutely nothing to do with eating unclean animals. This passage does not teach, as some erroneously claim, that Christ made all foods clean. Rather, the word is cleansing is used in James 4:8, where sinners are told to cleanse their hands. Jesus had never declared unclean foods clean are seen by Peter’s comment, “I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.” Vs. 14 In verse 15 Peter hears the voice in the vision say, “What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.” Many try to twist this comment to mean that God had now declared all foods clean. No mention is ever made of unclean foods being pronounced okay to eat. However Peter tells us what the exact context of his vision was in verse 28, “God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Peter was encouraged by God to take the gospel to the gentiles. God told Peter no man was unclean, but Peter nor God ever mention animals being made clean in Acts 10 or anywhere else in the Bible.
Hence Jesus said in Mark 7:6 those who reject any of God’s commandments. Some, who refuse to obey God in all things, use additional passages to "prove" that we can eat today whatever dirty and rotten and slimy animals we Want to devour. In fact, the scripture is very clear in Isaiah 65:2-5:that the returning Jesus Christ will PUNISH those who eat abominable unclean animals
Also notice in Hosea 9:3-4:They shall not dwell in the LORD's land, But Ephraim shall return to Egypt, And shall eat unclean things in Assyria. They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, Nor shall their sacrifices be pleasing to Him. The scriptures clearly teaches that God will punish those who eat unclean meat .
Hence Mark 7:6 says “ Jesus replied, "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me”.
d) Another verse to justify unclean meat eating 1 Tim 4:1-5: “commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
There are those who believe that if you just pray over food, you can purify whatever you eat. God has given us clean meats to be received with thanksgiving. Unclean animals were not created to be eaten by man, there is no way that God can ever sanctify something He explicitly condemns as an abomination (Lev. 11).Poisonous fruits and unclean meats were never intended to be received with thanksgiving. This does not mean that every creature being is permitted to be eaten. If this were the meaning, cannibalism, cockroach, camels, dogs, monkeys, gorillas, elephants would justify. By knowing the truth in the Word of God, and receiving these clean animals in a thankful manner with prayer, the true believers would obey God and not the “doctrines of devils.” Paul told Timothy that in our day "some will fall away from the truth, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons" (I Timothy 4:1).The unclean animals were dangerous for human health and it is still dangerous for human health as of today and ever. Some people might say If Christ cleansed all animals, then we should have no problem eating Armadillo, jellyfish, cockroaches, Shark, worms, centipedes, scorpions, caterpillars, spiders, etc. But why are these creatures hardly found in any of our meal? God has given some guidelines for recognizing animals that are acceptable for food.
e) Another verse to justify unclean meat eating Romans 14:14-15: I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
f) Another verse to justify unclean meat eating Rom 14:1-2: Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
Romans 14:20-21 states “Don't tear down God's work for the sake of food. The purpose of this passage is not to declare Lev. 11 unclean meat to be clean, or that these things are now acceptable to eat .The meaning of this was don’t place something on the table that will cause your brother to stumble. But again, unclean animals are not even within the scope of Paul’s discussion. Paul was actually condemning a false doctrine that prohibited the eating of clean meats. Paul adds that clean meats are also set apart by prayer. Indeed, we have Christ’s own example of asking for God’s blessing on our food (Luke 9:16; 24:30; etc.). These further sets the food apart as approved and even enhanced by God but in no way can prayer make unclean meat clean.
g) Another verse to justify unclean meat eating is in Col 2:13-17 :Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ”.
Colossians 2:8 makes it clear that Pauls warning was aimed towards some of the harmful traditions of man. But often Many people have ignored the verses 2 Cor 6:17-18 and Isaiah 52:11which says “Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." Christ did not come to cleanse the pigs or any unclean animal but to cleanse sinners.
Note: I myself I have eaten unclean meats out of ignorance. I have truly repented and have forsaken completely.
Also visit the website to read more about Dangers of pork “http://www.giveshare.org/Health/porkeatdanger.html”
Blessings to all of you in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Further read my article” Old Testament is just as inspired as New Testament. But still why many will ignore OT?”
http://christian-topics.info/Article/Old-Testament-is-just-as-inspired-as-New-Testament--But-still-why-many-will-ignore-OT-/6398
