Unclean, Unclean!Laws of the Clean and Unclean

For Today (Leviticus 11-15 )

Uncleanness in Leviticus

• Clean and unclean animals (Lev. 11)

• Clean and unclean people (Lev. 12-15)

• Uncleanness came as a result of…

– Sin (Lev. 16:16)

– Physical circumstances (12:2; 13:3; 15:2; etc.)

Uncleanness in Leviticus

• Levitical laws of clean & unclean are no longer binding (Eph. 2:14; Col. 2:14)

• Food restrictions have been done away (Mk. 7:16; Acts 10:15; 11:19; Col. 2:16)

• However, laws of clean & unclean exist in the NT for us today. What are they?

Uncleanness in New Testament

• May not be viewed on the outside (Mt. 23:25-27)

• Is a work of the flesh (Rom. 1:24; 6:19; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; Col. 3:5; 1 Thess. 2:3; 4:7; Rev. 17:4)

• Must be avoided (2 Cor. 6:17)

• Has no part in the kingdom of God (Eph. 5:3-5)

Cleanness in New Testament

• Must be clean from within (Lk. 11:37-41; Jn. 13:10-11)

• Made clean and pure…

– By faith (Acts 15:9), and the blood of Jesus in baptism for the erring sinner (Eph. 5:26; Heb. 1:3; 9:13-14,22-23; 10:22)

– By the blood of Jesus in prayer and confession for the erring Christian (1 Jn. 1:7,9)

Cleanness in New Testament

• Must remain pure and clean in our Christian living (2 Cor. 7:1; Tit. 2:14; Jas. 1:27; 4:8; 2 Pet. 1:9)

• Must keep a clean heart / conscience (Mt. 5:8; 1 Tim. 1:5; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3; 2:22; Tit. 1:15; 1 Pet. 1:22)

• Made clean through the Word (Jn. 15:3)

• Only purity inhabits heaven (Rev. 19:8)

Lasting Principles for Today

• All lifestyles are not the same; there is a difference and distinction between clean and unclean (Lev. 10:10; 11:47)

• The Lord, not man, determines what is clean and unclean (Lev. 11:44-45; 20:25-26)

• Uncleanness is not “cool” or “fun”; it brings death (Lev. 15:31)

• There is no contact with uncleanness; it separates from God’s people (Lev. 13:46; 14:3; 22:3)

Lasting Principles for Today

• What is clean and unclean must not be ignored; it must be taught to the next generation (Lev. 10:11)