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QUESTION 70:
There are people that say we should not eat certain meats that are forbidden in the Bible. They quote Leviticus 11 as proof. Are they right in their interpretation?

ANSWER:
The controversy over meats is not new. It was the subject matter of Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10. The Bible is its own interpreter. In 1 Corinthians 10:32 we read, "Giving none offence neither to the Jews, Gentiles or the Church of God." This is the key verse of the Bible. When reading the scriptures always ask yourselves who is this portion spoken to, the Jew, Gentile or the Christian. For an example, the Book of Corinthians is written to the church of God at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2) to apply this to the Jew or Gentile would have him being baptized and attending the Lord's Supper. This would be confusing the whole issue of a Christian church. Though it might be ABOUT them it is not TO them.

To apply this principle to the matter of meats in Leviticus 11 we need only look as far as verse two to see it is to the children of Israel. To bind this upon the Gentile or Christian is to do what the scriptures never do. Peter tried this in Galatians 2:14 and had to be severely rebuked by Paul. Regarding eating of meats 1 Timothy 4:4-5 says that any meat can be eaten if received by thanksgiving to God. This is written to a Christian man and is for all Christians. In Romans 14:20 we read "For meat destroy not the work of God." In 1 Corinthians 8:8 we read, "But meats commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we better; neither, if we eat not, are we better; neither, if we eat are we the worse."

Are you a Jew, Gentile or a Christian? You become a christian by trusting Christ as your Saviour from sin. Do it today?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen