Pauls Teaching on Meat Slaughtered to Idols

by True Science
Chapter 1
To the Assembly of YHWH throughout the world, and to all those who seek the
truth. There are many wolves in sheeps clothing who have gone out to ravage the
flock teaching that our beloved brother and saint Paul who now sleeps in glory is a
false delegate (apostle), prophet, and teacher because he apparently teaches that
eating meat slaughtered to idols is okay. This article is to refute such lies and false
accusations against the chosen man of God, and to show what the true Teaching of
God is on this matter of food slaughtered to idols, and that Paul was in accordance
with it.
Chapter 2
Though this may seem to be an insignificant issue to many, whether or not we can
eat meat slaughtered to idols is a question many ask. Because most people dont
live next to a temple slaughtering animals to their false gods, the more modern
question seems to be on the topic of Halal food. Halal is an Arabic word
meaning lawful or permissible. Halal food is meat that has been slaughtered in
the manner prescribed by the Islamic Sharia Law. For meat to be Halal it follows a
prescribed method of slaughtering all meat sources excluding fish and other sea
life. This method of slaughtering animals consists of using a well-sharpened knife
to make a swift deep incision that cuts the front of the throat, the carotid artery,
wind pipe, and jugular veins. The head of the animal that is slaughtered using Halal
methods is aligned in a prescribed manner. In addition to the direction to be Halal,
permitted animals should be slaughtered upon utterance of an Islamic prayer in the
name of their god. The slaughterer allows the animal to lay on their right side while
facing toward Mecca. Both the slaughterer and the animal are to face Mecca. The
slaughterer says out loud Bismillah, Allahu akbar! which is translated from the
Arabic tongue as: In the name of (their) God the Greatest! Because of all of this
it is largely interpreted that such a practice could be defined as slaughtering meat to

idols or to false gods. I would not necessarily disagree with that understanding, in
many respects Halal food would indeed be meat slaughtered to idols. Namely the
fact that the meat is butchered in conjunction with a prayer to another god, that
assists in suggesting that Halal food is indeed meat offered to idols. Ultimately this
meat ends up in grocery stores, and those following the whole Word of God now
have a choice to make.
Chapter 3
Is wrong to purchase and consume Halal meat? First the meat must agree with the
criteria being actually defined as food, as defined by God in Leviticus 11. If it
passes the Leviticus 11 test then we must determine whether or not it is against the
Torah (YHWH Gods Instruction/Teaching/Law) to eat meat slaughtered to idols,
which is right or wrong, which we will now determine.
Chapter 4
As with anything the Torah is freedom giving unchanging truth. Psalm 119 is a
great testimony to that understanding. Thus, first we will test eating meat
slaughtered to idols to see whether or not it is compatible with the Torah (in the
context of the first 5 books of the book known today as the Bible, for all of the
Holy Scriptures are Yahs Torah, but the first 5 books are the foundation). Then we
will determine what the 1st Century Scripture (known by most today as the New
Testament) teaches on this matter. Because we cannot add to or take away from
the Word of YHWH (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32) the back of the Bible must agree
with the front of the Bible, first the Torah. In the matter of meat slaughtered to
idols, the Torah has two specific mentions of it.
The first one is:
Exodus 34:11 Observe for yourself that which I command you this day.
Behold, I am driving out from before your face the Amoriy (Amorite), and
the Kenaniy (Cannanite), and the Khiytiy (Hittite), and the Periziy
(Perizzite), and the Khiwiy (Hivite), and the Yebusiy (Jebusite).
Exo 34:12 Take heed to yourself, lest you cut (make) a covenant with the

inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it be for a snare in your midst.
Exo 34:13 But break down their alters, and break their pillars, and cut
down their groves (Asherahs).
Exo 34:14 For you shall bow down to no other god, because YHWH (whose
name is Jealous) is a jealous God.
Exo 34:15 Lest you cut (make) a covenant with the inhabitants of the land,
and they whore after their gods, and slaughter to their gods, and call to you
and you eat of his slaughtering,
Exo 34:16 and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters
whore after theirs gods, and cause your sons to whore after their gods.
Note: In Exodus 34:11-16 it is not clearly taught in the Torah that eating meat
slaughtered to idols is a you shall not do type of command. However, without
question it is certainly associated with something that YHWH hates, and accuses
those eating meat slaughtered to idols as whoring after other gods.
This is where we must use some critical thinking. How many have heard that
context is everything? The Torah also commands, You shall not kill. (Exodus
20:13) However there is, in fact examples of justified killing in the Torah. Does
Scripture contradict itself? No. The commandment you shall not kill is in the
context of not murdering an individual, the unjust taking of another mans life. The
Torah also commands us not to make any graven images (Exodus 20:4). Yet, God
commands Mosheh (Moses) to make brass into the image of a serpent and tells the
Israelites to look upon it for the healing of their serpent bites (Numbers 21:8-9). Is
this a contradiction? Or course not. This command is in the context of not bowing
down to the graven images (Exodus 20:5). We who know YHWH and believe in
the testimony that he has given to us by his only-begotten Son know that the reason
for the serpent was to be a type and shadow to hint of the coming Son of God, who
is YHWH, who would be born of a woman as a flesh and blood man, and would be
lifted up on the tree, crucified on the cross to destroy the power of the Adversary
(Satan), the serpent, curing us of our sin and death (Genesis 3:15; John 3:14-15).
So am I suggesting that eating meat slaughtered to idols is according to Torah? Im
not going to say that just yet. But note this in its context:

Exodus 34:15 Lest you cut (make) a covenant with the inhabitants of the
land, and they whore after their gods, and slaughter to their gods, and call
to you and you eat of his slaughtering,
Exo 34:16 and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters
whore after theirs gods, and cause your sons to whore after their gods.
In early Scriptural times when a covenant was made with another man or a god, an
animal died, and they ate of that animal. Some examples of this are found in
Genesis 15 men YHWH made a covenant with Abram to give his seed the land;
and in Exodus 24 when YHWH made a covenant with Yishrael (Israel). Notice in
Genesis 15 animals were cut into pieces. As we see above my translation translates
make a covenant literally as cut a covenant which is what it literally says in
Hebrew. I wonder where that idea came from to use such a word meaning to cut
when referring to the making of a covenant? Perhaps because they slaughtered
animals by cutting them when they made a covenant? And this is exactly what
happened in ancient covenants.
Chapter 5
In context, Exodus 34:11-16 is about someone who is making a covenant with
those who worship false gods, and then this someone is partaking of the
slaughtering to their false gods as part of the covenant, and then to solidify the
covenant one eats of that sacrifice. YHWH calls this adultery (spiritual adultery) to
whore after their gods. What this means is that what is being defined here is
glorifying false gods, slaughtering to them, and then eating of that slaughtering.
This is considered idolatry.
Chapter 6
Here is the question: What about if someone eats of the slaughtering, because it is
being sold in the meat markets, yet does NOT take part in making a covenant with
false gods and actively slaughter to them? Well according to the example given in
Exodus 34:11-16 I would either have to say, Maybe, or really I dont know.
What this means is that the Torah is not clearly teaching against such a
circumstance. We cannot prove that the Torah would be against eating meat
slaughtered to idols in such a context. The Torah is apparently concerned with the

active slaughtering and eating TO false gods. There is not any mention anywhere
in the Torah of any concern of eating meat slaughtered to idols outside of the
context of the actual temple covenant making worship of false gods. Some may not
like that distinction, and yet, that is the pattern of context that forces us to make
that distinction. I am simply noting that difference of context. Understanding that
differentiation of the context will explain why the 1st Century Scripture (New
Testament) seems to be teaching two different things on this matter.
Chapter 7
The other instance in the Torah on this topic is found in:
Numbers 25:1 And Yishrael (Israel) dwelt in Shitiym (Shittim) and the
people began to whore with [the] daughters of Moab.
Num 25:2 And they called to [the] people to [the] slaughterings of their
gods, and the people ate and bowed down TO their gods.
Again, here the context is about slaughtering to the false gods, and then eating it,
and then bowing down TO the gods. Here Numbers 25 does not specifically state
that eating meat slaughtered to idols outside of the cultic pagan god worship is
inherently wrong. Again, what appears to be wrong is the blatant spiritual
prostitution of actively engaging in and prostrating ones self in false god worship.
What this means is that the Torah clearly states that eating meat slaughtered to
idols is very wrong, but only in the context and setting of actively worshiping false
gods. What the Torah does not say, nor can we force it to say, that eating meat
slaughtered to idols while having no regard for false gods, nor worshiping them in
any capacity is a violation of Gods Law. I have not found anywhere in the Torah
that says that eating meat slaughtered to idols in and of itself is wrong. For it to be
wrong it must be combined with the wilful worship of false gods.
Chapter 8
Now I understand that some may not welcome that distinction but I am simply
noting what the Word of God specifically states and does not state.

Deuteronomy 4:2 [Do] not add to the word which I command you, and [do]
not diminish from it, in order to guard [the] commands of YHWH your God
which I command you.
Not only should we not want to take away from the Word of God, we should not
want to add to it either. Knowing that, I will proceed into the 1st Century Scriptures
(New Testament) on this topic.
Chapter 9
In Acts 15 Yaaqob (James) issues a decree to converted gentiles, and the decree is
repeated in Acts 21.
Acts 15:19 Therefore I judge to not further harass those from the gentiles
[who are] returning to God.
Act 15:20 But write to them to abstain from the defilements of idols, and
whoring, and that [which is] strangled, and blood.
Act 15:21 For Mosheh (Moses) from ancient generations, according to city,
has those preaching him in the congregations, being read along every
Shabath (Sabbath).
Acts 21:25 But concerning the believing gentiles, we have written, judging
[that] they observe no such [thing], except to keep themselves from both that
[which is] slaughtered to idols, and blood, and [that which is] strangled,
and whoring.
Some might say here that Yaaqob (James) clearly stated that they should abstain
from eating meat slaughtered to idols. However, I will say it again, context is
everything. Just as the Torah says that eating meat slaughtered to idols is wrong in
the context of active false god worship, so Acts 15 is no different. The returning
from among the gentiles just came out of a system of that engaged in pagan false
god worship. Active worship included going to the temple, slaughtering, eating of
that slaughtering, drinking its blood, and engaging in temple prostitution. That is
why Yaaqob (James) mentions all of these things. Yaaqob (James) is telling the
converted gentiles that a true believer must first stop worshiping false gods before
learning the rest of the Torah of Mosheh (Moses). Which is the next instruction

found in Act 15:21: For Mosheh (Moses) from ancient generations, according to
city, has those preaching him in the congregations, being read along every Shabath
(Sabbath). Thus Yaaqob (James) is not necessarily saying not to eat meat
slaughtered to idols; he is in fact saying not to eat meat slaughtered to idols in the
context of pagan false god worship. Nowhere in the Torah will we find a clear
literal plain and clear command to not eat meat sacrificed to idols. We are only
given the command to not worship false idols. The same pattern is found in
Revelation 2. Eating meat slaughtered to idols is tied to sexual immorality, all
things found in pagan temple worship.
Revelation 2:20 But I have against you that you put up with that woman of
yours Iyzebel (Jezebel) who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and
misleads my servants to commit whoring, and to eat [things] slaughtered to
idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her time that she might repent, and she did not want to
repent of that whoring of hers.
It might seem like that distinction is splitting hairs but it appears to be a Scriptural
distinction. We must remember that the Word of YHWH is sharper than a twoedged sword. There is no room to go either to the left or to the right. We must be
very careful to not add to or take away from the Word of YHWH (Deuteronomy
4:2; 12:32) but remain fully in the context of which instruction is given. Paul
teaches on this matter and arrives at the very same conclusion. Paul teaches that if
one goes to the meat market and buys and eats of meat slaughtered to idols it
should be of no concern. Why? Because false gods are nothing, false gods are only
made to be something when we are worshiping and acknowledging them,
esteeming them, glorifying them, making them to be idols in our lives. However, if
we know that false gods are nothing, which they are, then by that very definition
we are not worshiping false gods when we eat of their sacrifices. Something that is
nothing cant be something. That seems to be common-sense, and that is basically
Pauls point, and appears to fit the context of the two examples given in the Torah.
However Paul does mention something to consider. He mentions that some which
are weaker in the faith may not understand the Torah that well yet, and may
become offended. He states that it might be better to not eat meat at all rather than
offend a brother or sister, and to that I agree. It is always best to maintain peace

then to intentionally cause strife in the body of the Anointed One. He also mentions
that it could cause others to interpret that it is okay to go to the temple and worship
false gods and eat of their slaughterings. Thus, if there is such risk then one should
refrain from eating such meat. In Pauls letter he does clearly state that it is okay to
eat meat slaughtered to idols, as the Corinthians must have been struggling with
the idea of such meat entering the meat markets. This would be very similar to
Halal in our very own grocery stores.
1Corinthians 8:8 But food does not commend us to God, for we are neither
better if we eat, nor are we worse if we do not eat.
1Corinthians 10:25 Eat everything being sold in the marketplace,
questioning nothing on account of the conscience.
Paul can only say this because when context is considered no Torah command
forbids it. However Paul does give the recommendation not to in the context of
knowing and being in the presence of an unbeliever, lest you offend others and/or
make it appear to the unbeliever that you are okay with slaughtering to false gods,
or esteeming false gods. Though Paul starts off in 1Corinthians 8, some do not
know this.
1Corinthians 8:7 However, this knowledge [is] not in all. But some, with
consciousness of the idol, until now eat [it] as [something] slaughtered to
an idol, so their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
1Cor 8:8 But food does not commend us to God, for we are neither better if
we eat, nor are we worse if we do not eat.
1Cor 8:9 But take heed, lest perhaps this authority of yours becomes a
stumbling-block to those who are weak.
Chapter 10
Eating meat slaughtered to idols is not sin, it is not against the Torah, it is not
against the Law/Instruction/Teaching of God. But the more important reality is that
not everyone understands this, and we to be sensitive to that. Such meat may
offend others and we should want to avoid offending others unnecessarily. What is
against Yahs Torah is worshiping false gods and making covenants with them. An

individual can eat meat slaughtered to idols in which others were doing the
worshiping, yet the same individual is not actively worshiping false gods. That is
the Scriptural distinction. That is why Yaaqob (James) could say what he said, and
why Paul could say what he said. It is all about the context of how, when, and
where the meat slaughtered to idols is being eaten. It is about worshiping false
gods or simply eating a meal knowing that false gods are nothing. Acts 15 is all
about taking direct part in slaughtering unto idols in false gods temples and eating
the meat there, taking part directly in temple prostitution and drinking blood. This
is certainly a violation of the Torah. Such examples in the Torah have been shown
to show how this is wrong. Paul speaks in another context, what to do once the
meat that is not eaten in the temples by the pagans is sold to the meat markets. Or
if when we are bringing and proclaiming the Good News to the nations we find
ourselves in a pagan temple witnessing the truth, and they offer us to eat with them
and they are serving meat left over from former slaughterings to their false gods.
Can we eat it? Is it wrong? In Pauls understanding it is not. Paul finds no violation
in the Torah with eating meat slaughtered to idols outside of taking direct part of
worshiping false gods in a temple. He simply cautions us to avoid unnecessarily
offending others, or giving others a false interpretation that actual participation in
worshiping false gods is okay. We are permitted (according to the Creators Word)
to eat meat that has been previously slaughtered to idols if we do not eat it TO false
gods.
Numbers 25:1 And Yishrael (Israel) dwelt in Shitiym (Shittim) and the
people began to whore with [the] daughters of Moab.
Num 25:2 And they called to [the] people to [the] slaughterings of their
gods, and the people ate and bowed down TO their gods.
1Corinthians 10:31 Whether then you eat, [or] whether you drink, [or]
whether you do anything, do [it] all to the glory of God.
Chapter 11
I would like to give special thanks to 119 Ministries who the Master Yehoshua the
Anointed One used to make me aware of this truth, and whos video on the matter I
have taken almost all of this article from. The Holy Spirit of God has truly worked

mightily in their teaching on this. All praise, honor and glory be to the Most High
God YHWH and his beloved Son in whom he is well please by the Holy Spirit of
Truth. Amen. Favor be upon those who read this article to see the plain truth of
God. And those who see may they have peace. May the Most High continue to
unify the body of the Anointed One together, to work together to seek, find and
bring the truth to the gentiles, and may favor and peace abound with the whole
house of YHWH, the Assembly and all the saints with her.
[Some more thoughts: I know a lot of the stuff in the Hebrew/Torah Roots
Movement is false now, and I'm not sure about a lot of other stuff, but this paper
does indeed prove one irrefutable thing, that Paul's teaching on food sacrificed to
idols in in 100% accordance with the Spirit and the Letter of the Torah of Mosheh.
It proves it so much so that it is shocking how accurate and on point Paul is on the
matter for the antinomian Paul we thought we knew in modern day mainstream
Christianity. But of course, what should one expect from a man who was a
rabbinic Torah scholar all his life even before becoming a disciple? Once one has
read this teaching and understands it, there is no way they can ever use the food
sacrificed to idols argument against Paul. And knowing how on point Paul is in this
area, it should make one who is open to truth be more careful and give Paul the
benefit of the doubt in other issues they may have with him, and be patient in
searching out these matters before making rash conclusions about him being a false
disciple and devil and stuff (I know because I was there a few times).]