Tag: Jesus

What Does the Bible Say About Food? Understanding the Shift from Old to New Testament Dietary Laws

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Food plays a significant role in the Bible—not just for physical nourishment but also for spiritual lessons. If you’ve ever wondered why the Old Testament has strict dietary laws while the New Testament seems to lift those restrictions, you’re not alone. The difference reflects God’s unfolding plan for humanity. Let’s explore the biblical dietary laws, their purpose, and why things changed with Jesus.

Old Testament: Clean vs. Unclean Foods

In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, God gave the Israelites a clear list of foods they could and couldn’t eat. These dietary laws served multiple purposes:

What Could They Eat?

1. Land Animals – Must have a split hoof and chew the cud (e.g., cows, sheep, deer).

• “However, you may eat any animal with a divided hoof, that is, split in two, and that chews the cud.” (Leviticus 11:3, NASB)

2. Sea Creatures – Must have fins and scales (e.g., salmon, trout, bass).

• “These you may eat, of everything that is in the water: anything that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the streams, you may eat.” (Leviticus 11:9, NASB)

3. Birds – Generally non-predatory birds were allowed (e.g., chickens, doves, quail).

4. Insects – Only locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers were considered clean.

What Was Forbidden?

• Pigs (don’t chew cud), camels, and rabbits.

• “The pig, because it has a divided hoof but does not chew cud, it is unclean to you.” (Leviticus 11:7, NASB)

• Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster) and scaleless fish (catfish, eels).

• Birds of prey (eagles, vultures, owls).

Why Did God Give These Laws?

• To Set Israel Apart – These laws distinguished Israel from other nations.

• “You are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have singled you out from the peoples to be Mine.” (Leviticus 20:26, NASB)

• For Health & Hygiene – Many unclean animals carry diseases or toxins.

• Symbolism – Clean and unclean animals reflected spiritual purity and sin.

New Testament: A Shift in Dietary Freedom

When Jesus came, He fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17, NASB) and introduced a new era—one based on faith, not strict adherence to dietary rules.

What Changed?

1. Jesus Declared All Foods Clean

• “There is nothing outside the person which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which come out of the person are what defile the person.”

• “By saying this, He declared that all foods are clean.” (Mark 7:18-19, NASB)

2. Peter’s Vision (Acts 10:9-16)

• “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” (Acts 10:15, NASB)

3. Paul’s Teaching on Food Freedom

• “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.” (1 Timothy 4:3-5, NASB)

Should Christians Follow Old Testament Dietary Laws Today?

The Bible gives freedom in this area. Some believers still follow Old Testament dietary laws for health or personal conviction, while others embrace the New Testament teaching that all foods are permissible when received with gratitude.

The Key Takeaway?

• Food doesn’t determine righteousness—faith in Christ does.

• Health choices are personal, and each believer should follow their convictions without judging others.

• “The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.” (Romans 14:3, NASB)

• Whatever you eat, do it with gratitude to God.

• “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB)

Final Thoughts

The Bible’s food laws were never just about diet—they were about obedience, holiness, and pointing to Christ. Today, believers are free to eat according to their convictions, but the most important thing is to honor God in all we do.

What are your thoughts? Do you follow any biblical dietary principles in your life? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Disclaimer

The content on this site, including blog posts, shared material, and external links, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, including medications, diet, exercise, or supplementation.

David Julian, Natural Vitality Advocate, is not a licensed medical professional. The views expressed in this blog and shared content are those of the respective authors and do not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or reliability.

David Julian is not affiliated with Natural Vitality or NaturalVitality.com. He does not promote, sell, or take a position for or against them.

The Story of “Sunday Nights” —

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Sunday Nights is a Bible Study of Calvary Chapel East Anaheim on Sunday Evenings at 6pm. It is the passion of our church to reach our county with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.  There has never been a time in history that we have been better equipped & positioned to bring revival. Jesus is coming back, and we are here to prepare the way for Him by declaring the Word of God and demonstrating His life changing power.  We are not about just going to church service, but coming back to Christ to serve Him!

From Pastor Josh Terada:

In August 2017 at a worship night with my Youth Ministry, God told me that
He planted the seed of revival in my heart. In other words, if I will give
myself to grow what He has given me, it will eventually bud forth to be
seen by all. So, I wrote it on the back of one of those very “pinterest”
felt boards “God planted revival in my heart 8/17”. But, as I began to pray
more about it, God showed that I just saw it in August, but He planted it
in my heart years ago when I was thirteen years old. This is important
because was the year I was baptized, but it was also the year I began to
backslid into addiction to sin. However, it was that time as I gave up on
my relationship with God that I wanted revival for my neighborhood. I
started a blog and began to write about purity and revival, even though I
didn’t want much to do with God. (It was the craziest thing.) As I’ve
talked to God this year, God showed me that He chose to plant the seed of
revival in that time when I had so little faith in God, to prove to me that
when He carries out any exploit of faith through my life, it will be
obvious that it was not because of my faith in God, but His grace to me.
Because He was faithful to me, when I was faithless to Him.
— Read on www.sundaynights.org/the-story

Disclaimer:

The content on this site, including blog posts, shared material, and external links, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, including medications, diet, exercise, or supplementation.

David Julian, Natural Vitality Advocate, is not a licensed medical professional. The views expressed in this blog and shared content are those of the respective authors and do not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or reliability.

David Julian is not affiliated with Natural Vitality or NaturalVitality.com. He does not promote, sell, or take a position for or against them.

🔊 LISTEN: Revival is not the world’s problem, it’s the church’s purpose. (Matt. 9:35-37) — Calvary Chapel East Anaheim | YOUTH

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Christians, it’s time to stop blaming the world for the lack of revival, it’s time to start working the Word of God! Revival is not the problem of the world, it’s the purpose of the church. There is no lack of fruit, only a lack of farmers to bring in the ripe harvest.

MATTHEW 9:35-37

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Source: 🔊 LISTEN: Revival is not the world’s problem, it’s the church’s purpose. (Matt. 9:35-37) — Calvary Chapel East Anaheim | YOUTH

Disclaimer:

The content on this site, including blog posts, shared material, and external links, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, including medications, diet, exercise, or supplementation.

David Julian, Natural Vitality Advocate, is not a licensed medical professional. The views expressed in this blog and shared content are those of the respective authors and do not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or reliability.

David Julian is not affiliated with Natural Vitality or NaturalVitality.com. He does not promote, sell, or take a position for or against them.