Rightly dividing the dietary rules

Noticing that God has put different dietary arrangements in place for man at different points in history is a good way to see the necessity of taking a dispensational approach to scripture.

Summary

1. Instructions to Adam and Eve: Herbs and fruit trees given for food (Genesis 1:29)

2. Instructions to Noah, post-flood: Every moving thing can also be eaten providing the blood has been removed (Genesis 9:4)

3. Instructions to Israel as part of the law: Only 'clean' creatures to be eaten; blood restriction retained (Leviticus 11)

4. Instructions to Paul: No dietary restrictions and all creatures can be received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4)

It doesn't take long to conclude that it is impossible to comply with all four sets of instructions, as they differ from one another. 

The key to the Bible making sense and having any practical value is to understand that while God himself never changes (Malachi 3:6), the basis on which he deals with men sometimes does, and clearly the dietary responsibilities placed on man is one of those areas what God has made changes.

So in this case we need to identify which of the four sets of dietary instructions are given to us for today. 

But how to decide? 

Scripture is clear that the instructions for this age are the ones God gave to the apostle Paul:

Ephesians 3:1-2 (KJV)​ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)​ Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 

That sorts our diet out. Following Paul (the position, not the man) will also sort out the remainder of our doctrine if we allow it to. It is known as 'rightly dividing' from the words of this verse:

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.