Reference: Clean and Unclean
American
Terms often used in the Bible in a ceremonial sense; assigned to certain animals, and to men in certain cases, by the law of Moses, Le 11-15; Nu 19; De 14. A distinction between clean and unclean animals existed before the deluge, Ge 7:2. The Mosaic law was not merely arbitrary, but grounded on reasons connected with animal sacrifices, with health, with the separation of the Jews from other nations, and their practice of moral purity, Le 11:43-45; 20:24-26; De 14:2-3,21. The ritual law was still observed in the time of Christ, but under the gospel is annulled, Ac 10:9-16.
Ceremonial uncleanness was contracted by the Jews in various ways, voluntarily and involuntarily. It was removed, usually at the evening of the same day, by bathing. In other cases a week, or even forty or fifty days, and some sacrificial offerings, were required.
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The next day, while they were still on their way and were approaching the town, about noon, Peter went up to the housetop to pray. He had become very hungry and longed for food; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance. read more. He beheld the sky opened, and a vessel descending like an enormous sail let down to earth by four corners. In it were all kinds of quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth, and wild birds. A voice came to him, saying, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat." "Not so, my Lord," answered Peter, "for I have never yet eaten anything common and unclean." And again a second time came to him a voice, saying, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." This happened three times; and immediately the sail was drawn up into the sky.
Hastings
CLEAN AND UNCLEAN
Introductory.
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Then Jesus called the people to him and said:
"See you say nothing to any one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your purification what Moses commanded for a testimony to them."
One day the Pharisees came to him in a body with some Scribes who had come from Jerusalem. They had noticed that some of his disciples were eating with "common," that is to say, unwashed hands. read more. For the Pharisees and all of the Jews do not eat until they have ceremoniously washed their hands in obedience to the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market-place they do not eat without bathing first. and they have many other customs which they have received and observe, such as the washing of cups and jugs and copper pans. So the Pharisees and Scribes asked him. "Why do your disciples not follow the traditions of the elders? Why do they eat with 'common' unwashed hands?"
And they also offered a sacrifice as commanded in the Law of the Lord A pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
And the Pharisee noticed, to his amazement, that he did not wash his hands before eating,
"Not so, my Lord," answered Peter, "for I have never yet eaten anything common and unclean."
"Not so, my Lord," answered Peter, "for I have never yet eaten anything common and unclean."
"that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, and from tasting blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear from these things and it will be well with you. Farewell."
Then Paul took the men, and after purifying himself with them next day, went into the temple to declare the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is in itself unclean; but any food is "unclean" for one who considers it "unclean."
Do not, for the sake of food, be tearing down God's work. All food indeed is ceremonially clean, but a man is in the wrong if his food proves a stumbling-block.
Therefore do not permit any one to sit in judgment on you in regard to what you may eat or drink, or in regard to feast-days or new moons or sabbaths.
If you died with Christ to the world's rudimentary notions, why, as if you still lived in the world, do you submit yourselves to dogmatisms found on teachings and doctrines of men??21 such as "Do not handle this," "You must not taste that," "Do not touch this"??22 all things which are intended to perish in the using?
All things are pure to the pure; but to the contaminated and the faithless nothing is pure, nay, their very minds and consciences are tainted.
Morish
See ANIMALS.