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In the prior articles we’ve noted that Christians who believe all foods are clean under the New Covenant are correct. However, they may be correct for the wrong reasons. This is because Mark 7:19 and Acts 10:5-10 do not actually teach that the Old Testament dietary laws are no longer in effect.

If these passages do not teach that it is acceptable for Christians to eat all foods, which ones do? Romans 14 and 1 Timothy 4 are two chapters that plainly and directly state that all food is clean and therefore fit for human consumption. However, there is a little catch. 

Paul taught that if we are in the presence of those who believe that some foods are off limits, we must abstain if our eating tempts them to violate their conscience. This isn’t much of a problem in most modern settings. However, in the early church (as in some circumstances today) there were those whose scruples would not allow them to eat certain foods.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he warned that in the church age (last days) many would depart from the faith and that false teachers would go forth speaking lies (1 Tim 4:1-2). What lies would they speak? Some of their lies undermined marriage. Paul dealt with marriage issues in chapter two and he’ll have more to say about marriage in chapter five. Other lies were about what foods God allows under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant some foods were off limits. What about now? Are Christians required to keep Old Testament dietary laws?

Paul rather bluntly says that those who teach we should abstain from certain foods are lying! He unequivocally says that God created all foods and we are to reject none of them.

3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Tim. 4:3–5 ESV)