Joel Osteen teaches Christians about pork!

She gotz da crazzzzzy eyezzzz ....

Yet did not the Apostle Peter was given a “vision” of a cloth showing all the different animals with the command from the Lord, “take, kill, eat?” Which from what I see, frees Christians from observing any Mosaic dietary laws.

There is nothing in Acts 10 or 11 to even remotely suggest that Peter or those he told the vision to thought that it had anything to do with being able to eat foods that the Lord had designated as unfit for human consumption.

Peter tells us in scripture what the vision meant to him:

Act_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.

That's what Peter got out of it. And that's what he told others in Acts 11. After he recounted the vision and his journey this is what others said:

Act 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.

That's what they got out of the vision. To suggest that these early Christians would blithely toss scripture out the window has no basis in fact.

There HAS been revisionism about this vision. But it's all man made and post biblical.

Act 10:10-15
(10) He was hungry and wanted to eat. But while they were preparing the food for Peter to eat, he had a vision.
(11) He saw something coming down through the open sky. It looked like a big sheet being lowered to the ground by its four corners.
(12) In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds.
(13) Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill anything here and eat it.”
(14) But Peter said, “I can’t do that, Lord! I have never eaten anything that is not pure or fit to be used for food.”
(15) But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things pure. Don’t say they are unfit to eat.”

Jesus spoke in parables which many people of that day didn’t get either. So don’t feel bad.

I didn’t write it. I’m just telling you what it says. It’s a sin to call something “unclean”.

I suppose the “don’t cast pearls before swine” was a fashion statement for pigs too, huh? If you want to take things literally instead of spiritually, nobody’s stopping you.

I didn’t write the Bible. I’m just telling you what it says.

(15) But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things pure. Don’t say they are unfit to eat.”

(14) But Peter said, “I can’t do that, Lord! I have never eaten anything that is not pure or fit to be used for food.” (15) But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things pure. Don’t say they are unfit to eat.”

This is interpretation goes against what Peter said and did. It goes against what Peter told others the vision meant. It goes against scripture.

Peter was also confused about the vision:

Act 10:17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant...

You see Peter didn't believe that the Lord God meant literally for him to be able to eat the foods that the Lord had designated as unfit for people. It went against scripture and all he knew.

But luckily Christ didn't leave him hanging...

Act 10:19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.
Act 10:20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

So three times the command of Christ and then the three men showed up.

Peter got it:

Act 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.

This is what God showed Peter. That he should not call any man common or unclean. That's what the vision meant. That's all it meant. There is no word in scripture about it meaning anything else. The whole context of the story is that the holy spirit came upon gentiles. It has nothing to do with changing any of the food laws that the Lord gave us for our own good.

I understand that many THINK that it justifies eating the meat that the Lord said we shouldn't. But that's a non-scriptural interpretation that goes against God, what God showed Peter, what Peter thought and what Peter told others the vision meant.

So why did Peter NOT eat the unclean food IF God cleaned it?

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.

Ah I thought people were claiming that God made the pig/swine a cleaned food? What is spiritual about that? Peter sure never ate the unclean foods, why NOT, if that is what is suppose to be the instruction here?

Look at post #48 by Douglas KC (he’s a smarter guy than me) and see his explanation about what is happening. It is one thing to read the words and quite another to grasp the meaning/significance. Remember, in the Bible, everything is context and precept upon precept.

Ah, thanks. This instruction begins in Acts 10:1 and it is about Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, Cornelius was a devout man... He saw a vision wherein he was told his prayers and alms were heard by God Himself.

I am not going to type the whole instruction, but this was about Peter getting told that Gentiles were offered salvation same as those of Israel and Judah. Peter never ate one bite as he was in a trance and only saw unclean things. Gentiles were considered 'common' or 'unclean'. Else Peter would have gone to a pig roast after he came out of that trance.

“Pardon me for being dull but what does YBPDLNPL stand for?”

Your Best Purpose Driven Life Now Ping List.

Refers to a combination of the “teachings” of Rick Warren and Joel Osteen.

Peter at the point refered to had issues putting away the requirements of the Law of Moses {not the same thing as the Commandments}. But several passage do refer to Gentiles and likely converted to Christianity Jews being allowed to eat all meat except animals strangled, offered to gods or idols, or drinking their blood. Paul clears up the issue.

1 Corinthians 10:23You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is helpful. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24Don’t think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them. 25Here’s what you should do. You may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace. Don’t ask whether or not it was offered to idols, and then your conscience won’t be bothered. 26For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”£ 27If someone who isn’t a Christian asks you home for dinner, go ahead; accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you and don’t ask any questions about it. Your conscience should not be bothered by this. 28But suppose someone warns you that this meat has been offered to an idol. Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 32Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.

And a more specific passage here in relation to Gentiles and The Laws of Moses.

Acts ch 21 15Shortly afterward we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. 16Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. 17All the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us cordially. 18The next day Paul went in with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present. 19After greetings were exchanged, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20After hearing this, they praised God. But then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all take the law of Moses very seriously. 21Our Jewish Christians here at Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews living in the Gentile world to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They say that you teach people not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. 22Now what can be done? For they will certainly hear that you have come. 23“Here’s our suggestion. We have four men here who have taken a vow and are preparing to shave their heads. 24Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, and pay for them to have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws. 25“As for the Gentile Christians, all we ask of them is what we already told them in a letter: They should not eat food offered to idols, nor consume blood, nor eat meat from strangled animals, and they should stay away from all sexual immorality.”

Acts ch 15 has the previous letter given the Gentiles.

Christ taught on this issue as well and it is very specific.

Mark ch 7 17Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowds, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the statement he had made. 18“Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that what you eat won’t defile you? 19Food doesn’t come in contact with your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then comes out again.” (By saying this, he showed that every kind of food is acceptable.) 20And then he added, “It is the thought-life that defiles you. 21For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.”

http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/series/Life/LH049/LH02.html

Sorry for the long excerpt, but I found their discussion of the topic interesting. (I ran a search on Jesus rebukes Pharisees.) Summed up in a sentence from below, Jesus didn’t find fault with their outward actions, but their hearts. And vice-versa, what comes out of our hearts is more important than what goes into our mouths).

Excerpt:

In the future studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will tell the people that “you have heard, but I say . . .” Jesus will repeatedly disagree with the Pharisees and Sadducees. He will do this in Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, and 33-34.

Jesus will eventually warn His disciples to beware of the teaching of these religious leaders (Matt. 16:11-12) and eventually Jesus silenced His critics using scripture (Matt. 22:34, 46). In Matthew 23, Jesus repeatedly warned the scribes and Pharisees with, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees . . .”

Colossians 2:20-23 probably summarizes the conflict with the Pharisees, scribes, and the Sadducees very well.

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, do not handle, do not taste, do not touch! (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) - in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (NASB) Col. 2:20-23

Not What You Think. The beatitudes were revolutionary because Jesus emphasized not the external conduct as did the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, but the internal heart attitude. So after Jesus concluded the beatitudes and before He started the next series of statements where He declared “You have heard, but I say,” He made this comment,

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (NASB) Matt. 5:17

First, Jesus corrected the teachings of the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. So the people thought that He was teaching them something new. The people were amazed.

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (NASB) Matt. 7:28-29

The religious leaders had corrupted the very book that they claimed to know. Later in Matthew, we will hear Jesus tell the Sadducees that they do not know or understand the Tanakh (Matt. 22:29).

Yes they had memorized it, but they did not understood it. Jesus corrected their errors.

Today there are many religious leaders just like the Pharisees and Sadducees who claim to know the Bible. They write scholarly books about the Bible, but they do not have the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives to help them understand it.

They are just like the highly educated Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees who had major portions of the Tanakh memorized. How many scholars today have it memorized? Yet, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day did not understand the scriptures, and some religious scholars today do not either because they have never really believed in God and submitted themselves in faith to Him.

Christ indeed fulfilled the laws and righteousness that man could not. It would make no sense in trying to go back living under the burdens of the laws which no one could obtain their salvation through them if you understand what I'm saying. The laws, the Lamb without blemish literal offering Christ became completed for mankind the requirements.

We live under Grace but we still live under Commandments given us. That as well by some will become corrupt meaning placing more burdens upon man that what is asked.

We are obligated to obey the Commandments given Moses as well as the ones Christ Himself gave, and obey the guidance of The Holy Spirit. Food is for keeping our cursed bodies alive until our eternal spirit for which our salvation is sealed by Christ accepted sacrifice for our sins departs this world. As such we are already dead in the flesh.

Peter at the point refered to had issues putting away the requirements of the Law of Moses {not the same thing as the Commandments}. But several passage do refer to Gentiles and likely converted to Christianity Jews being allowed to eat all meat except animals strangled, offered to gods or idols, or drinking their blood. Paul clears up the issue.

The Law of Moses contained 'blood sacrifices' and only clean animals were ever allowed upon the altar. With the sacrifice of Christ, there would never ever again be the requirement of a 'blood sacrifice'. The claim that 'all meat' was acceptable and 'lawful' a new thing acceptable to Christianity is NOT of God but of man. Strangled animals do not properly bleed out, thus without refrigeration the blood rots first and fast.

1 Corinthians 10:23You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is helpful. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24Don’t think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them. 25Here’s what you should do. You may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace. Don’t ask whether or not it was offered to idols, and then your conscience won’t be bothered. 26For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”£ 27If someone who isn’t a Christian asks you home for dinner, go ahead; accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you and don’t ask any questions about it. Your conscience should not be bothered by this. 28But suppose someone warns you that this meat has been offered to an idol. Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. 32Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.

I do not know which edition of the Bible you used to quote Paul, but Paul did not say he was allowed to do anything. More correctly said by Paul, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient;...... Paul knew the 'law' and under the 'law' which things are acceptable. Paul does not say the food laws were hung on the cross. Yes, I know that is not going to penetrate the minds of the majority of Christians but it is what it is. There will be the millennium for teaching the WORD. And there will be no unclean meats served.

And a more specific passage here in relation to Gentiles and The Laws of Moses. Acts ch 21 15Shortly afterward we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. 16Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. 17All the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us cordially. 18The next day Paul went in with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present. 19After greetings were exchanged, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20After hearing this, they praised God. But then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all take the law of Moses very seriously. 21Our Jewish Christians here at Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews living in the Gentile world to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They say that you teach people not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. 22Now what can be done? For they will certainly hear that you have come. 23“Here’s our suggestion. We have four men here who have taken a vow and are preparing to shave their heads. 24Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, and pay for them to have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws. 25“As for the Gentile Christians, all we ask of them is what we already told them in a letter: They should not eat food offered to idols, nor consume blood, nor eat meat from strangled animals, and they should stay away from all sexual immorality.”

Was pork sold at the market place in Jerusalem when Paul was visiting? There is nothing here about God changing the health food laws. The Jews which were of Asia started an uproar because they accused Paul of teaching against the people, and the law, and Jerusalem, and 'further' brought Greeks into the temple. Remember now 'blood' ordinances are what got nailed to the Cross and one of the biggest objections to Paul was the accusation that Paul forsook Moses, 'saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after their 'customs'.

Acts ch 15 has the previous letter given the Gentiles.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, (Gentiles) and to command them to keep the law of Moses.... The answer comes in Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, (Gentiles) that they abstain from pollutions of idols, (the pollutions would be unclean meats) and from fornication, and from things strangled and from blood.

Christ taught on this issue as well and it is very specific. Mark ch 7 17Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowds, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the statement he had made. 18“Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that what you eat won’t defile you? 19Food doesn’t come in contact with your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then comes out again.” (By saying this, he showed that every kind of food is acceptable.) 20And then he added, “It is the thought-life that defiles you. 21For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.”

Why do you jump to the middle of the subject claiming Christ taught something He did not teach. The subject of Mark 7 begins in verse 2. Notice they were eating 'bread'. verse 2 And when they (Pharisees, and certain of the scribes) saw some of His disciples eat *bread* with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed, hand, they found fault. That is the subject, Christ did not follow the Pharisees and scribes tradition of a ritualistic hand washing ceremony. They were eating BREAD.

I’m just telling you what was said.

(15) But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things pure. Don’t say they are unfit to eat.”

It seems pretty cut and dry to me.

YBPDLNPL=Your Best Purpose Driven Life Now Ping Life.