One of the biggest differences between the Old and New Testaments is the Law's designation of "clean and unclean." In Leviticus, we find a whole list of prohibitions—certain foods, practices, and even health conditions that were considered unclean. Today, most Christians don’t see these as relevant anymore. However, some groups still maintain these dietary restrictions, especially when it comes to kosher food. Groups like the Seventh Day Adventists and Hebrew Roots proponents come to mind.

 

So, what does the New Testament actually say about this? Let’s dive into a few key passages.

 

Paul tells us, “Whatsoever is sold in the marketplace, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.” (1 Cor 10:25-27). He also warns against those who forbid marriage or command people to abstain from certain foods, saying that everything created by God is good if received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:3-4).

 

In Romans, he adds that while some Believers feel free to eat all things, others eat only vegetables, but nothing is inherently unclean (Rom 14:2,14). For those with weak consciences, food offered to idols can be a stumbling block, so Paul advises caution. But in the end, “food does not bring us closer to God,” and we’re not worse off if we don’t eat, nor better if we do (1 Cor 8:8).

 

Paul sums it up by saying, “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days” (Col 2:16), reminding us that these regulations were temporary and pointed to a greater reality (Heb 9:10). In the kingdom of God, it’s not about food or drink, but “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

 

So, according to the above quoted passages, New Testament believers are free to eat whatever is sold in the marketplace, kosher or not. And whether you’re invited to someone’s home or out at a restaurant, Paul tells us to eat without questioning the origin of the food (i.e., was the meat a slab of beef or pork?).

 

Apostle Paul's approach was fairly straightforward—when with the Jews, he lived like a Jew; and when with the Gentiles, he lived like them. This was his way of reaching as many people as possible for Christ: "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. … I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor 9:20-22).

 

Peter, like Paul, enjoyed meals with Gentiles until he faced pressure from the Judaizers, who believed in keeping the entire Law. As a result, He withdrew, trying to avoid conflict, but Paul rebuked him for hypocrisy, reminding him that living one way while telling others to live another was inconsistent: "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Gal 2:11-14).

 

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul gives a similar message: it’s okay to eat food offered to idols, provided your conscience is strong enough. But if someone else struggles with this, we should be mindful not to cause them to stumble (Rom 14:15). The main takeaway? We should never let our freedom become a stumbling block for someone weaker in faith.

 

Now, some Christians argue that Paul's dietary instructions were just for Gentiles and that Jews are still bound by the Mosaic Law. But Acts 15 addresses this issue—Peter explains that neither they (the Jewish apostles) nor their ancestors were able to bear the burden of the Law, so why should they put that yoke on new Believers? Instead, both Jews and Gentiles are saved through faith in Jesus Christ: "And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they" (Acts 15:9-11).

 

Finally, Paul wraps it up by reminding us that the regulations on food and drink were meant to last only until the "time of reformation", which refers to the New Testament era (Col 2:16, Heb 9:10). In the end, God’s kingdom isn’t about what we eat or drink, but about living in righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).

 

​