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Post by gratefulmomof3 on Aug 13, 2008 23:16:59 GMT -5
So as most of you know I am new to being a Christian....and I have a question that is really bothering me....Leviticus 11:7-8 it says you can't eat swine (pigs). OK I understood that part fine, so I called my friend who is a preachers daughter and she said" That doesn't count because its in the old testament"......She says when Jesus died he said the old laws didn't matter and we would be forgiven..... I don't think that sounds right. Today at bible study I asked her to show me where it said that, and she pointed me to a verse that didnt' make a bit of sense to me......Somewhere right before the death of Jesus......... So does it say somewhere that the old testament "doesn't count" because Jesus died for our sins??? Does it say somewhere that we can eat swine, very specifically like it says we can't in the old testament? I have so many more questions, but I'll just start with this one.....Thank you all so much!!!
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Post by mrshester on Aug 14, 2008 8:46:40 GMT -5
I have to say first that I am no theologian or expert by any means and alot of times when I read Scripture and something doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, I'll follow how the Spirit convicts me. But I cannot agree with what your friend says about the OT "not counting"...I have never read that from the words of Christ or His apostles in the New Testament. Personally I do believe we are not under the laws of Moses, but under grace because we have Jesus. Jesus said He didn't come to abolish the laws but to fulfill them. He also said that it is not what goes into a man that makes him unclean but what comes out of him that does that (Matthew 15:11). Paul later wrote in Romans 14 very specifically about food and strength and weakness and in verses 19-21 states that all food is clean but if eating that food would cause your brother to stumble in their walk it is better to avoid it. And that is not only with meat, but any food. I hope that makes sense...
**Edit: I was thinking about this and it occurred to me that part of what I typed might sound like double talk. I'm going to try to clarify what I said at first so that it might be clearer, if only to me. What I meant was: because of Jesus we do not have to follow the same laws that the Jews did as far as restricting our diet and sacrificial laws are concerned. At least that is how I understand what Jesus taught and the apostles after Him. In that aspect, your friend is correct, that part does not matter that we have to adhere to it. I do think there is much importance to the Old Testament in it shows us what life would be like for us today if we did not have Grace given to us through Jesus.
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Aug 14, 2008 16:11:28 GMT -5
It is so exciting to see you studying and growing in God's Word!
Regarding your question about eating pork (swine). Yes in Leviticus the Jewish nation was instructed not to eat "unclean" animals, pork (swine) was one of them. Even today, pork is not part of a Jewish diet. Please note, these instructions were to the Jewish nation - not to the Gentiles (Gentiles are any race outside the Jewish race).
Is there a verse in the New Testament that specifically says it's O.K. to eat pork? Not to my knowledge. Acts 11:5-10 says, "I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision. A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times; and all were drawn up again into heaven." Now, this vision is representative of Peter being directed to go and witness to the Gentiles about Jesus. We must remember from our Old Testament teaching that Jews were not only forbidden to not eat "unclean" animals but they were also forbidden to touch them or come in contact with any person who had touched or ate them - Gentiles ate pork. Thus, at that time the apostles were not actively pursuing a witness of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Basically, God was instructing Peter that when a Gentile repented of his/her sins and accepted Jesus as their Saviour, they too were spiritually cleansed just like the Jews who were converting to Christianity.
Are the laws of the Old Testament null and void because of the resurrection of Christ? If that were so, then the Ten Commandments would also be null and void. Realistically, there is much sin in today's churches because so many people think that they can do anything they want because sin covered under "grace".
Grace is not a free pass to continue in sin. Grace is God loving us so much that he gave his only son as a blood sacrifice for the remittance of our sins. When we repent our sins are covered under the blood of Christ. In the Old Testament sins were covered under the blood of animal sacrifices. Repentance and remorse are not the same. Remorse is a feeling of guilt about a sinful act. Remorse DOES NOT equal forgiven sins. Repentance is a turning away from sin. Making a commitment and following through on that commitment to NOT commit a specific sin again. Only repentance can bring forgiveness of sins.
What commandments did Jesus leave us with? Matthew 22:37-40 says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This the is first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Basically, if we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind then we will not have other Gods before him (#1),we will not make graven images (#2), we will not take his name in vain (#3), we will remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (#4). If we love or neighbor as ourselves we will honor our Father and Mother (#5), we will not kill (#6), we will not commit adultery (#7), we will not steal (#8), we will not bear false witness against our neighbor (#9), and we will not covet our neighbor's possessions (#10). Jesus came to fulfill the law not to abolish it. Jesus did not abolish Old Testament Law. He observed and fulfilled the law.
I know I didn't answer your question regarding pork outright, but that's because it is not specifically addressed in the New Testament. Therefore, I think it is important that each individual allow the Holy Spirit to lead him/her in these types of matters. I know several Christan families who do not eat pork because of Leviticus Scripture. I also know several Christian families who don't eat or use animal products because of Genesis Scripture. However, I also know many Christian families that do eat pork, meat and use animal products. Who is right and who is wrong?
I don't wear a watch because it is a sin for ME to do so. I find myself focusing on what time it is instead of focusing on the Lord. Does the Bible forbid wearing a watch? No. Does this mean that if other Christians wear a watch it is sinful for them also? No. I don't wear a watch because the Lord had convicted ME about it and ignoring the Lord's conviction would be sin. I think the same principle applies to the eating of pork. Do you feel the Lord convicting you? If you do, then abstain from it. If you don't feel like you're being convicted, then I'd think it would be O.K. for you.
tb
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