Do Disciples of Jesus the Messiah Have to Keep the Dietary Laws? – Commandments Regarding Food
Under the Old Covenant and the Law of Moses, God forbade the children of Israel from eating certain foods. First, Gentile Christians were never included in the Old Covenant or subject to the Law of Moses. Second, Jesus fulfilled the entire Law of Moses (all 613 commandments as a whole singular unit) and rendered it inoperative for anyone who puts their faith in His atoning death & resurrection as The Lamb of God (See Romans chapters 5, 6, & 10).
Under the New Covenant and the Law of Christ, God allows all foods to be eaten as long as the person’s conscience is clear about eating them. God also allows individuals to decide for themselves if they want to voluntarily refrain from certain foods for the benefit of others, or for their own conscience sake, but not to put a legalistic burden on others.
⁃ 1 Timothy 4:4-5 “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
Now someone might say something like: “So does that mean I can eat pot-laced brownies, or psychedelic mushrooms, etc?”
The answer is no and there is at least two other primary commandments under the Law of Christ and the New Covenant pertaining to that.
⁃ 1Pe 2:15-16 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”
⁃ Gal 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The Greek word here for sorcery (also called witchcraft in some translations) is Pharmakeia.
What is Pharmakeia?
The use of mind-altering substances to induce an altered state of consciousness.
Why is it forbidden in both the Old & New Covenants?
It brings a person under the influence of demonic forces and a false spirituality that is fleshly, soulish, and carnal, and it inhibits their ability to reason allowing spiritual deception. It also brings a person into bondage to their flesh and those same demonic forces.
All of that is contrary to the work of the Holy Spirit. Our freedom in the New Covenant under the Law of Christ, led by the Holy Spirit does not give a person the license to justify sin.