Jesus's Words

Eating Sacrificed Meat

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In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes, As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.1st Corinthians 8:4-13 cf. Romans 14:14, 15

To summarize, Paul is saying that it is fine to eat foods sacrificed unto idols, unless it makes another brother stumble. This is Paul's doctrine of "nothing is unclean." Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.Romans 14:13, 14. If you can eat things sacrificed to idols with a clear conscience, go on ahead - so says Paul.

However, James and company came to this conclusion: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.Acts 15:20 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.Acts 15:29 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.Acts 21:25

Paul was present each time the church elders said that sacrificed things should not be eaten. Paul ignored them. Paul wrote that his disciples could eat these things, just so long as others did not rebuke them.

Who was correct? Was it Paul, or James and the church elders that were correct? Fortunately, we do not even need to debate about this, because Jesus tells us who was correct, not once, but twice. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.Revelation 2:14 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.Revelation 2:20

Jesus condemns two churches in Asia for eating things sacrificed unto idols. Thus, Paul was wrong.


Value of this Evidence

This is indefensible evidence against Paul's case for being a true apostle, and this is indefensible evidence for Paul's case for being a false apostle. If Paul was a true apostle, he would have been able to listen to his follow apostles and not lead anyone into sin. But since Paul propagates a lie and cause others to sin, an action that those who hate Christ and God would do, this is evidence that Paul was a false apostle.

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