How often have we heard that because of Peter’s vision in the book of Acts, the dietary commands have been changed and we can now eat pork? Because, you know, bacon…
Well let’s take a look, shall we? Starting in Acts 10 verse 9, The Scriptures Version:
“And on the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Kepha (Peter) went up on the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and wished to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance, and he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth, in which were all kinds of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping creatures, and the birds of heaven.”
Let’s note: shellfish (crab, lobster, shrimp) were not included in Peter’s vision.
“And a voice came to him, ‘rise up, Kepha, slay and eat.’ But Kepha said, ‘Not at all, Master! Because I have never eaten whatever is common or unclean.’ And a voice came to him again the second time, ‘What Elohim (God) has cleansed you do not consider common.’ And this took place three times, and the vessel was taken back to the heaven.”
Full stop. We can now eat bacon (and rabbits and vultures and cats and dogs) because they have been made clean. Because God changes. He is not the same yesterday, today and forever. No? Just pork? Because bacon is so good!
And good for you, right?
Let’s see. According to science, pigs carry over 30 diseases and 12 parasites, many of which are easily transferred to humans, including the nodular worm, whipworm, lungworm, stomach worm, kidney worm, and roundworm. These parasites are difficult to kill even during cooking, and can cause serious health issues in humans. Consuming pork can increase the risk of swine flu, trichinosis, viruses, and cancer in humans. Pork has about twice the saturated fat as beef, packing on the calories, crowding out important nutrients from other healthy foods, and contributing to sludgy blood and increased cardiovascular risk. But, other than that, eat more bacon!
But, did this conclusion sit well with Peter? Let’s continue reading:
“17 And while Kepha was doubting within himself about what the vision might mean… (read vs 18-27). “28 And he (Peter) said to them, ‘You know that a Yehudi (Jewish) man is not allowed to associate with, or go to one of another race. But, Elohim has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
Let’s read that last part again, “Elohim has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Oh, and pigs also. We can eat pigs now.”
No, that’s not what Peter said, not even close. When the messenger told Peter to “rise up, slay, and eat” many believe this meant Peter was being given permission to eat pork. We see later in verse 28 that the vision was talking about man. Peter was told to rise up and eat pigs (and other unclean animals) in verse 13, then told others the dream was talking about men. So, we can conclude one of two things. One, we can now eat pigs and men. Or two, the Jews can now enter into the house of a gentile, a previously forbidden practice, because those gentiles grafted in to the house of Israel are no longer unclean, but made righteous through the Messiah. I don’t think I need to plead the case that it is definitely not the former.
“34 And opening his mouth, Kepha said, ‘Truly I see that Elohim shows no partiality, but in every nation, he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
This is the grace of God so treasured by believers that we, unclean gentiles, have been made clean and can enter in to the house of Israel, in to the kingdom of Yahovah.
But, what about 1 Timothy 4: 1-5? “But the spirit distinctly says that in latter times some shall fall away from the belief, paying attention to misleading spirits, and teachings of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having been branded on their own conscience, forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. Because every creature of Elohim is good, and none is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is set-apart by the Word of Elohim and prayer.”
The animals that Yahovah has set aside for food should always be received with thanksgiving. Plain and simple. However, He never set aside pig, shellfish, vultures, etc. as food. These animals have never been classified as food in the eyes of Yahovah. They are the earth’s garbage disposals. Their God-given purpose is to eat the junk left behind in order to keep the earth clean. They are no more food than cats and dogs. And if you believe they are, then I would expect you to also receive cats and dogs as food with much thanksgiving. But, we know better.
We can see more insight to these matters in Romans 14:
“And receive him who is weak in the belief, not criticizing his thoughts. One indeed believes to eat all food, but he who is weak eats only vegetable. He that eats, let him not despise him that does not eat. Let him not judge him who eats, for Elohim received him.”
I have seen it said that this proves we should not judge a believer for eating pork. Not so. This passage is about meat vs non-meat eaters. In other words, we should not judge a believer who is a vegetarian who does not eat meat, for God has received that person regardless.
We should not judge (or argue) with a person who does not eat meat. Unfortunately, I see much bickering, from both sides, on this issue. Stop it.
And, I’d like to mention one more passage of scripture often used to justify eating what God has said not to eat. Matthew 15: 1-3 “Then there came to Yahshua (Jesus) scribes and Pharisees from Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), saying, ‘Why do your taught ones transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread?’ But He answering said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the command of Elohim because of you tradition?” (I encourage you to read the full chapter)
Yahshua came against the scribes and Pharisees for adding to and the commands of God and teaching them as though they were His commands. This is known as the Talmud or rabbinical law and it is not ordained of Yahovah. This passage was not about food, but of washing the hands, which does not negate the dietary commands of Yahovah to abstain from certain animals. Yahshua came against the scribes and Pharisees for their traditions, not for their obedience to God’s commands known as the Torah.
“This people draw near to Me with their mouth, and respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. But, in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men.” Matthew 15:8
So, what is the command of Yahovah, not the command of men, regarding pig (and other animals not intended for consumption)?
“1 And Yahovah spoke to Mosheh (Moses) and to Aharon, saying to them, “Speak to the children of Israel (as those grafted in, that’s you and me!) (read vs 2-6) … 7 and the pig, though it has a split hoof, completely divided, yet does not chew the cud, it is unclean to you.” Leviticus 7: 1 & 7
Let us remember the precious promises of the Psalms: “Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, and shall not stand in the path of sinners, and shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the Torah of Yahovah and he meditates in His Torah day and night. For he shall be as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither, and whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1: 1-3
In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!