Is It Permissible for a True Christian to Eat Pork, Drink Alcohol, or Smoke? What Is the Proper Form of Baptism?

1️⃣ Is it permissible for a true Christian to eat pork?

When we study the Scriptures carefully, we see that under the New Covenant, there is no prohibition against eating pork or any other kind of food, provided it is received with thanksgiving and eaten in faith. The distinction between clean and unclean animals in the Old Testament served as a teaching tool to point to deeper spiritual truths, but in Christ those ceremonial restrictions have been fulfilled.

Consider 1 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV):

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

This passage clearly teaches that all foods, including pork, are made clean through the word of God and prayer.

In the vision given to Peter in Acts 10:9-16, God taught Peter not to call unclean what God had cleansed — referring ultimately to the Gentiles, but also symbolically to all creation:

What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15, KJV).

Jesus Himself declared in Mark 7:18-19 (ESV):

Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”(Thus he declared all foods clean.)

However, while all foods are lawful, the Bible also calls us to walk in love and wisdom, so that our freedom does not cause another to stumble.

Romans 14:14-15 (KJV) teaches:

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.

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

And 1 Corinthians 8:9,13 (KJV):

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

🌿 Summary:

A true Christian is free to eat pork, but should always exercise love, consideration, and sensitivity toward others, so as not to cause unnecessary offense or lead others into sin.

2️⃣ Is a true Christian allowed to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes?

While Scripture does not outright forbid the consumption of alcohol, it strongly warns against drunkenness, addiction, and anything that defiles the body. Smoking and harmful substances fall into this category, as they harm the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) commands.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Proverbs 20:1 (KJV) warns:

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Regarding the body, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) teaches:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

And 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV):

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Since smoking and excessive drinking damage the body, they are inconsistent with honoring God with our bodies. Furthermore, they can enslave a person, and Galatians 5:1 (KJV) reminds us:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

3️⃣ What is the proper form of baptism for a true Christian?

Biblical baptism is by full immersion in water, symbolizing the believer’s death, burial, and resurrection with Christ (see Romans 6:3-4, KJV):

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

In the New Testament, baptism was consistently performed in the name of Jesus Christ:

✅ Acts 2:38 (KJV):

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

✅ Acts 10:48 (KJV):

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

✅ Acts 19:5 (KJV):

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Though Jesus commanded baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19), the apostles understood this as a reference to the name that embodies the fullness of God: Jesus Christ (see Colossians 2:9).

🌿 Summary:

✅ Baptism should be by immersion in water.

✅ It should be done in the name of Jesus Christ, as practiced by the apostles.

Conclusion

✅ A true Christian is free to eat any food, including pork, as long as it is received with thanksgiving and does not cause others to stumble.

✅ A true Christian should not drink to excess, smoke, or engage in practices that defile the body, which is God’s holy temple.

✅ A true Christian should be baptized by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ, following the pattern given in the New Testament.

May the Lord give you wisdom and grace to walk in His truth.

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