Do Pentecostals Eat Pork? Here’s What You Need To Know

Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues But when it comes to dietary practices, do Pentecostals eat pork?

The short answer is yes, most Pentecostals do eat pork. However, there are some Pentecostals who abstain from eating pork for religious reasons. Let’s take a closer look at Pentecostal beliefs about food and diet.

A Brief History of Pentecostalism

The Pentecostal movement emerged in the early 20th century out of the Holiness movement which had roots in Methodism It was spearheaded by preachers like William J Seymour who emphasized the baptism of the Holy Spirit accompanied by speaking in tongues.

Pentecostals take their name from the Pentecost account in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended on the early Christians. Adherents believe they can experience the same Holy Spirit baptism and spiritual gifts as the first followers of Jesus.

Like other evangelical groups, Pentecostals uphold the authority of the Bible. But they differ in their emphasis on the direct, personal experience of God through the Holy Spirit.

What Does The Bible Say About Food and Diet?

To understand the Pentecostal view of food and pork, we need to look at some relevant biblical passages:

In the Old Testament, God gave many dietary restrictions to the Israelites including prohibitions against eating pork (Leviticus 11:7). This was part of the Mosaic Law which applied only to the ancient Hebrews.

In the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). The apostle Paul also taught that Christians are free to eat anything, though they should keep in mind the sensitivities of others (Romans 14:14, 20).

Based on such verses, most Christians believe that the biblical food laws do not apply today. The New Testament affirms that no food is unclean in itself.

The Pentecostal Perspective

Given their high regard for Scripture, Pentecostals fully accept the New Testament teaching that all foods are permissible for Christians. This would include pork.

The Assemblies of God, one of the largest Pentecostal denominations, states in their beliefs:

“We should remember that good physical health depends more on the condition of our bodies before we eat than upon the food we eat. . . While the Scriptures give us no direct command on the subject of animal meats, they do appear to authorize the eating of meat.”

Most Pentecostal churches do not have any official dietary restrictions. Individual Pentecostals are free to eat or abstain according to their conscience.

So the majority of Pentecostals have no qualms about eating pork. It is not considered a sin. Many enjoy bacon, ham, pork chops and other pig-derived foods with no religious reservations.

Why Do Some Pentecostals Abstain from Pork?

While the mainstream Pentecostal position is that all food is permissible, some Pentecostals choose to abstain from pork for various reasons:

• Personal Conviction – They feel strongly led by the Holy Spirit not to eat pork, similar to being called to vegetarianism or fasting.

• Health Choices – Some avoid pork for dietary concerns about fat, toxins or parasites in pig meat.

• Cultural Taboos – In certain cultures, eating pork is seen as taboo so Pentecostal converts from these backgrounds may avoid it.

• Old Testament Reverence – A minority view the Mosaic food laws as still spiritually meaningful, if not compulsory. So they honor the pork prohibition.

• Separateness – Abstaining from pork stems from a desire to be spiritually separate from the secular world.

So while theologically there is freedom about diet, Pork avoidance persists among a small subset of Pentecostals for these personal reasons.

Can Pentecostals Eat Pork? Other Points to Consider

While Pentecostals can eat pork, several additional points are worth noting:

• Pentecostals who avoid pork are not to be judged, in line with Paul’s advice in Romans 14. Their personal conviction should be respected.

• Most Pentecostals do see dietary choice as a secondary issue. Unity in the faith is far more important than disputing over food.

• Gluttony and overeating are seen as sins by Pentecostals, regardless of the type of food. Moderation and self-control are promoted.

• Pentecostals generally discourage eating food sacrificed to idols or tainted by occult practices. Otherwise, they affirm freedom in Christ regarding diet.

So while Pentecostal beliefs allow for pork consumption, not all Pentecostals may eat pork. Personal and cultural factors lead some to abstain. But the mainstream Pentecostal view is that Christians are free to make their own choices about diet and pork. Mature believers should act according to their faith with love and consideration for others.