Is pork considered unclean meat?
Under the Mosaic Law pork is one of a number of foods forbidden from consumption by Jews. These foods are known as “non-kosher” foods. In order for meat to be kosher, it must first come from a kosher animal. A kosher animal must be a ruminant and have split hooves. Therefore, cows, sheep, goats and deer are all kosher, whereas camels and pigs (having only one feature) are not kosher. The pig is the only common livestock animal that has split hooves but which is not a ruminant. Its external aspect makes it appear kosher, while it is not.
Although the dietary restrictions of the Law were imposed upon the Jews for health purposes, they were also tests of their loyalty and obedience to God. Gentiles were never under these restrictions. Once Jesus came and fulfilled the Law by his sacrifice unto death, the Law was no longer binding to the Jew providing he accepted Jesus.
The Apostle Peter had a vision where he saw all kinds of animals, including reptiles and birds of the air. A voice told him to get up, kill and eat. Peter replied that he had never eaten anything impure or unclean. When the voice spoke to him a second time it said,
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:11- 15)
God was showing Peter that not only was food that was once considered unclean, clean, but also that the Gentiles who were considered unclean and to be avoided, were now to be accepted into the body of Christ. Therefore, the Apostle Paul says in Romans 14:14,
“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself.”
He further explains his position by commenting, “that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:15)
Although some Christians still consider pork unclean meat and do not eat it, as you can see from the above scriptures, there is no support for their action today.
To learn more about how the law of Moses applies to Christians today listen to, “Does the Old Testament Law Apply To Me?”
