CAN WE NOW EAT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING?
Question:
I have been told that chapter 10 of Acts teaches that we can now eat anything and everything without any condemnation of Almighty. Is this true? If it is not true, then what does Acts 10 says?
Answer:
You have asked a very good question. Acts 10 has been terribly misunderstood for many, many centuries. And it seems that if something has age on its side that people think this makes it truth. Age never makes error truth. As you read the book of Acts, it becomes apparent that YaHuah is making an attempt to reach all peoples, nations, and tongues everywhere.
Acts 10:9-15
Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
But Peter said, “Not so, Master! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What YaHuah has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Brethren and Sisters, YaHuah loves all people and wants everyone to be saved that chooses to obey His Will but He is not a respecter of persons. Acts 10:34 gives us a clue that this chapter is not talking about what to eat but is talking about how YaHuah feels about people. If you read Acts 10 from verse 1 to verse 34, it tells the story of mission outreach to those who had previously been looked upon as “unclean or Gentiles.”
Let us face the fact that the apostle Peter was a man of learned prejudice. He suffered from his upbringing just like many of us today. Prejudice is a learned character defect. YaHuah loved Peter and wanted to use him to reach the lost, but He had to re-educate Peter how to teach the truth without any hindrances. Prejudice is a hindrance to the gospel.
YaHuah gives to Peter a dream in which various animals are shown to him clean and unclean. Acts 10:12. These animals represented all the various ethnic classes of humankind as it is written in Daniel 7
This dream was designed to teach Peter an important lesson in regard to the introduction of all nations to the gospel. The message in this context is not about what to eat, but how to love humanity enough to call them back the CREATOR. This is reaffirmed in verses 34 and 35 when Peter states: “In truth I perceive that YaHuah shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted by Him.”
The devil has perverted this portion of Scripture through his master agents who are at work of spreading the sound bite gospel born Out of Babylon. What would it have been like if the truth of this passage had always been taught correctly rather than centering on one’s opinions? What would the world be like if this text was understood contextually?
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Yahudiy to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but Alahim has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts 10:28
It's so easy to get caught up in interpretations of biblical texts, especially when they seem to contradict long-held beliefs or traditions. The idea that Acts 10 suddenly abolishes all 'eating laws' is one of those widespread notions I've encountered countless times, and it often leads to a lot of confusion for those trying to understand God's will. Before Peter's vision on the rooftop, the concept of 'clean' and 'unclean' foods was a fundamental part of the covenant YaHuah made with His people. The Old Testament clearly outlines specific dietary guidelines, categorizing animals as either fit for consumption or forbidden. For example, certain animals like pigs, shellfish, and specific birds were explicitly listed as 'Unclean Animals.' Peter, being a devout Jew, knew the difference intimately; these weren't just suggestions but laws that distinguished his people. His immediate reaction in Acts 10:14, “Not so, Master! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean,” perfectly illustrates how deeply ingrained these dietary laws were in his understanding and daily life. So, when he's told to 'kill and eat' various animals, including those he considered unclean, it was a profound challenge to his entire worldview. The real power of Acts 10, as I've come to understand it, isn't about redefining what's on our dinner plate. The deeper, transformative message lies in YaHuah's radical challenge to Peter's learned prejudice against people. The vision, repeated three times, wasn't just a culinary lesson; it was a divine intervention to prepare Peter for a spiritual breakthrough. It led him directly to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, whom Peter would have traditionally avoided. YaHuah's statement, “What YaHuah has cleansed you must not call common,” wasn't primarily about pigs and shrimp, but about people – specifically the Gentiles, whom many Jews, including Peter, considered 'common' or 'unclean' in a social and spiritual sense. This revelation allowed the gospel to transcend cultural and ethnic barriers, reaching all nations, just as Daniel 7 prophesied. For me, this understanding has been incredibly liberating. It reminds me that while personal dietary choices are important, the overarching message of scripture consistently points to love, acceptance, and the breaking down of walls between people. Instead of focusing on legalistic interpretations of 'eating laws,' I now see Acts 10 as a powerful call to examine my own biases and prejudices. It encourages me to extend grace and fellowship to everyone, regardless of their background, culture, or even their personal dietary habits. The true 'food' for thought from Acts 10 is about nourishing our spirits with radical love and understanding for all humanity, reflecting YaHuah's impartiality and boundless compassion.
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