1. Acts 10:10-16 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, {11} And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: {12} Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. {13} And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. {14} But Peter said, Not so, Master; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. {15} And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God hath cleansed; you do not call common. {16} This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Some people will say that this passage means ONLY that our Eloah, whose name is Yahuwah (NOT God), is not a respecter of persons, which Keph (Peter) alluded to further on in verse 34. I do not believe this concept to be correct. Because of what Sha'uwl (Paul) wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit in 1 Timotheos (Timothy) 4:1-6, I believe that it means what it says for foods also. Especially when He said, "What Yahuwah has cleansed, you do not call common."

2. Acts 15:19-21 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to Yahuwah, {20} But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. {21} For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every shabbath day.

4. Acts 15:27-29 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. {28} For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; {29} That you abstain from foods offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well.

5. Rhomaios (Romans) 14:ALL

6. 1 Corinthians 8:8 But food does not commend us to Yahuwah: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we do not eat, are we the worse.

7. All of Galates (Galatians), paying close attention to chapter three.

8. 1 Timothy 4:1-6 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; {2} Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (3} Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, whichGod has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believeand know the truth. {4} For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving: {5} For it is cleansed by the word of God and prayer. {6} If you put the brothers in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.

For every (pas) creature (ktisma) of Yahuwah is good (kalos) and nothing (oudeis) to be refused (apobletos), if it is received (lambano) with thanksgiving (eucharistia):

G3956. pas, pas; including all the forms of declension; all, any, every, the whole.

G2938. ktisma, ktis'-mah; from G2936; product or created thing.

G2570. kalos, kal-os'; of uncertain affinity; properly beautiful, (but chiefly figuratively) good, (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous for appearance or use, (and thus distinguished from G18, which is properly intrinsic).

G3762. oudeis, oo-dice'; including feminine. oudemia, oo-dem-ee'-ah; and neutral ouden, oo-den'; from G3761 and

G1520; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing.

G579. apobletos, ap-ob'-lay-tos; from G577; cast off, (i.e. figuratively) such as to be rejected.

G2983. lambano, lam-ban'-o; a prol. form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take in very many applications, literally and figuratively [properly objectively or actively, to get hold of; whereas

G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove].

G2169. eucharistia, yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah; from G2170; gratitude; (active grateful language to God, as an act of worship).

When the apostle Sha'uwl wrote this, through the inspiration of the Spirit of Yahuwah, he said that EVERY LIVING thing that Yahuwah created was good as food with absolutely NO exceptions. He told us to NOT eat the blood of those living things, because that is the life thereof, but ALL things that we use as food are CLEANSED by the word of Yahuwah and prayer. If Yahuwah has made it clean, how can we then call it unclean?

Man can defile foods by offering it to idols, and if we know that this is the case, we can not partake of it. Not because the food was bad, but because of the example that it gives to those who are watching. Read all of 1 Corinthians chapter eight to see the truth of that. Pay close attention to verse 8, as it helps to confirm that what we eat is of no consequence, as long as we thank the Master for it. The only requirement is that we must give Yahuwah the praise and be thankful for that food. I direct your attention to the statement Paul made in 1 Corinthians 14:37 concerning whether these types of statements are from him, or from Yahuwah. Also note that in the beginning, as recorded in Genesis 1:29-30, only herbs, seeds, and other green things were given as food to ALL animal life, including man. In other words, the first people were supposed to be strict vegetarians. In Genesis 9:2-4 we see that it was not until AFTER the flood that Yahuwah added flesh to the diet of man.

The Law of Mosheh (Moses) is the "book of the law" as defined in many places in scripture, and especially in Exodus 24:3-8 and Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:19-22. It differs from the Decalogue (Ten Words or Commandments) in that it was given to Mosheh to write down and present to the people. Yahuwah Himself presented His commandments to the people (See Exodus 20:17). These commandments, although not recorded previous to Siynay (Sinai), were in effect from creation. Now we need to know where the book of the law starts and the Decalogue leaves off and when or if the law of Mosheh was put aside.

Remember that the law as recorded by Mosheh in the camp (see Exodus 24:3-8) required that the Yisra'eliy (Israelites) DO the works of the law as Yahuwah had stated, whether they believed Him or not, AND they were required to obey the Ten Words also. Not as part of the book of the law, even though Mosheh had written the ten in the book also, but because they were the commandments of Yahuwah. Read the commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and you will see that they are the general rules for a good and decent people to be doing, whether they believed in Yahuwah or not. They just make good sense in how to look at life and how to treat your neighbor. If the Yisra'eliy failed to keep the whole law, they were in deep trouble.

• 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: {14} But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil not taken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. {15} But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. {16} Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Master, the veil shall be taken away.
• Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

The "book of the law" is the "Old Testament" or Law of Mosheh. The Ten Words are the true Torah and what we are bound to today.

The difference for today is that He still requires us to be good and decent people, and He still requires that we obey His commandments, but not the book of the law, which includes the dietary laws and so many more. Now the requirement is that we DO BELIEVE, and that we are in obedience BECAUSE Yahuwah is our Eloah. We obey now from faith, from the heart, from our reflected love for Him, and not as a means of salvation or atonement for our sins. The only way we can have our sins atoned for now is to be washed in the blood of the Lamb. Under the law of Mosheh, the people had their sins atoned for annually by sacrifices of a lamb made for them by the high temple official, but they could never be washed away. No one had access to salvation until Yahushua shed His blood. When He died, He removed the requirement of the Law of Mosheh from us, so that we no longer had that unbearable burden to bear.

• Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Note that it was the ORDINANCES of the "book of the law" that were removed. Not the commandments.

• Hebrews 8:13 In that he said, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.

He removed the OLD law to make room for the NEW law. Two systems of law cannot be in force at the same time, or chaos would be the result. Yahuwah is NOT the author of confusion. The New Testament, or Covenant, is the Old Testament, or Covenant, revealed. All of the old was there for one purpose, and that was to bring us to the new. The only way that could be done was by the shedding of the blood of the Anointed.

• Hebrews 9 Then verily the first covenant also had ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. {2} For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. {3} And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Cleanest of all; {4} Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; {5} And over it the keruwbs of splendor shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. {6} Now when these things were thus chosen, the ministers always went into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of Yahuwah. {7} But into the second the high official went alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: {8} The Set Apart Spirit this signifying, that the way into the cleanest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: {9} Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; {10} Which stood only in foods and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. {11} But the Anointed being come an high official of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; {12} Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the clean place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. {13} For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, cleanses to the purifying of the flesh: {14} How much more shall the blood of the Anointed, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to Yahuwah, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohiym? {15} And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. {16} For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. {17} For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. {18} Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. {19} For when Mosheh had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, {20} Saying, This is the blood of the testament which Yahuwah hath enjoined unto you. {21} Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. {22} And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. {23} It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the skies should be purified with these; but the celestial things themselves with better sacrifices than these. {24} For the Anointed is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into the sky itself, now to appear in the presence of Yahuwah for us: {25} Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high official enters into the clean place every year with blood of others; {26} For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. {27} And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: {28} So the Anointed was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

We didn't really need this whole chapter to show the concept of new fulfilling the old, but it is such powerful information that I couldn't resist. This chapter by itself proves the statement of the new fulfilling the old. What helps is that it is also what Yahushua said He had come to do.

• Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. {18} For verily I say unto you, until the skies and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. {19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of the sky: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of the sky.
• Galatians 5:1-3 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith the Anointed has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. {2} Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if you are circumcised, the Anointed shall profit you nothing. {3} For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Circumcision of the male was a sign of the covenant given to 'Abraham in perpetuity (forever). It was carried over into the Law of Mosheh as a continuing requirement for all Yisra'eliy males. When the Law of Mosheh was fulfilled at the death of Yahushua, circumcision was STILL required (anything that Yahuwah sets up as a perpetual commandment or sign cannot be done away with except by Yahuwah). Now however, the circumcision required is of the heart, and not of the flesh. This circumcision applies to ALL those who would be children of Yahuwah, male AND female (man of the heart) If physical circumcision is believed to still be a requirement of Yahuwah, and is practiced as a part of His requirements, the individuals believing and doing this are in error, still trapped by the deeds of the Law of Mosheh, and are not looked on with favor by Yahuwah the Father. If they are going to do this, they have to do ALL of the other things required by the Law of Mosheh also, such as observing all of the feasts, observing the kosher diet, making holy water for purification from sin by running water through the ashes of a red heifer, making burnt offerings for their sins, having a human high official atone for their sins once a year, etc. Of course, all of this negates the sacrifice that Yahushua made, and therefore they are NOT children of Yahuwah, but are fallen from the grace of Yahuwah.

The coup de grace for the observation of this dietary part of the Law of Mosheh requirement are the words of our Master Himself.

• Mark 7:14-23 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said to them, Pay attention to me every one of you, and understand: {15} There is nothing from outside a man that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. {16} If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. {17} And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. {18} And he said to them, Are you so without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatsoever thing from outside enters into the man, it cannot defile him; {19} Because it does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all foods? {20} And he said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. {21} For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, {22} thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. {23} All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

If you have met all of the conditions that Yahuwah placed on becoming a member of the body of Yahushua, and I haven't convinced you with the above scripture that Yahuwah no longer requires us to obey the dietary restrictions contained in the Law of Mosheh, then I will say no more to you about it. I just ask that you do not condemn me because I know the truth as revealed in the scriptures and accept all foods as being good. (Rhomaios 14)

C.F. Castleberry
http://www.considerthis.net
buck@considerthis.net