Acts chapter ten is one of the most important passages of
the scripture in the New Testament. It's an area that is much of the time used
to encourage wrong teaching that God has now released us to uninhibitedly eat
any kind of animal, even those He had defined as unclean for food and thusly
human usage.
When we see from Scripture, Peter's vision wasn't connected
to having the alternative to eat unclean food in any shape or form, rather it
was about God enduring the Gentiles coming into certainty and system. This was
the remarkable mystery being revealed to Peter through his vision that God
would loosen up salvation to the Gentiles without them hoping to at first,
change over by transforming into a genuine Jew.
Let us read what Paul has to say about this mystery of the
Messiah to the believers in Ephesus.
Ephesians 3:1-6 (NASB:New American Standard Bible)
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ
Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship
of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made
known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you
can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made
known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles
and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be
specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members
of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus
through the gospel,
For what reason was the idea of Gentile inclusion in
salvation such a troublesome plan to think about? Until this time, a Jew
thought salvation existed distinctly inside the limits of citizenship among
lawful Israel. So when a Gentile felt attracted to love Yahweh – the God of
Israel – Judaism of that day required the Gentile to experience a man-made conversion
custom of circumcision, absolution, and offering a penance before he could be
considered being 'saved'.
However God has consistently had a definitive plan of all nations and people groups venerating and serving Him. This was revealed,
however just in small sections, in numerous passages all through the Old
Testament (for example Isaiah 56:1-8). But when the Messiah came,
Yahweh unfurled His definitive plan of all nations and peoples loving and serving Him in a manner He hadn't done earlier (Ephesians
3:5).
This is the context and background encompassing Peter's
vision. It has nothing to do with God changing existing Old Testament dietary
laws and forbiddances. Presently, we should follow the story as we read through
Acts chapter 10 together in the rest of this article.
As we read the scripture in Acts chapter 10, how about we
recall the unique circumstance: until this point it was felt that a Gentile believer
couldn't be considered as 'being saved' except if he originally changed over
and turned into a legitimate Jewish resident through experiencing man-made
transformation ceremonies recommended by the Judaism of that day. We currently
know, and will see from Scripture, that such a prerequisite isn't a piece of
God's arrangement for Gentiles coming to belief and faith in Him.
Acts 10: 1-8
Now there was a man at Caesarea named
Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God
with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God
continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the
day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him,
“Cornelius!” 4 And fixing his gaze on him and
being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your
prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now dispatch some men
to Joppa and send for a man named Simon,
who is also called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who was speaking to him
had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those
who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to
them, he sent them to Joppa.
We are told about a Gentile God-dreading man named
Cornelius who was centurion of the Italian regiment. We're informed that
Cornelius feared Yahweh, gave generous contributions to the people, and was an
ardent man of prayer. The above entry reveals to us that God was moved by
Cornelius' commitment (Acts 10:4b).
God addresses Cornelius, the Gentile God-fearer, in a
vision ordering him to send men to Joppa and bring back a Jewish man named
Simon, also called Peter, to Caesarea to stay with Cornelius and his family in
his home – an unsuitable thing for a Jewish man to do. After getting the
vision, Cornelius is respectful and sends men to Joppa to search for Simon Peter
and bring him back.
Before the men sent by Cornelius show up, Peter goes onto
the roof to pray and gets hungry. As Peter prays, Scripture says he falls into a
trance. It's during this trance that Yahweh uncovers a message to Peter through
a dream – it's a message that will totally shake Jewish impression of Gentiles
and their coming to faith in Yahweh, God of Israel.
Acts 10:9-16
On the next
day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the
housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and was desiring
to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; 11 and he *saw the sky opened
up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners
to the ground, 12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling
creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill
and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord,
for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to
him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” 16 This happened three times, and
immediately the object was taken up into the sky.
During Peter's vision a voice instructs him to "rise,
kill, and eat" the unclean animals within the great sheet. Peter is baffled
by the instructions he has heard, to which he adamantly replies “By no means,
Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” The voice in
the vision repeats the instructions, instructing Peter 3 times. We should note:
at no time does Peter violate God's written commandment (Leviticus 11) by
eating the unclean animals.
Subsequently, this section can't be utilized to support the
possibility that God has discarded Old Testament dietary laws. In addition, the
entry here in Acts 10 will continue to clarify the specific reason and
explanation behind Peter's vision.
Beyond the extent of this article, some today teach that
Jesus got rid of Old Testament dietary laws in Mark section 7 (because of some
shocking inline discourse from interpreters in the Greek content), yet on the
off chance that Jesus did get rid of them, for what reason is Peter – 10 years
after Jesus' demise and revival – insistently expressing that he has eaten
nothing unclean?
Acts 10:17-23a
Now while Peter was
greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen
might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked
directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 18 and
calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was
staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting
on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are
looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs
and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter
went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what
is the reason for which you have come?” 22 They
said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken
of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed
by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and
hear a message from you.” 23 So he invited
them in and gave them lodging.
Peter's bewilderment concerning the importance of the
vision soon approaches disclosure and understanding. Three times the voice in
the vision instructed Peter to "rise, kill, and eat", and as he was
considering the vision, quickly the three Gentile men sent by Cornelius reach
the house which Peter is staying at in Joppa. As the men arrive, Peter is as
yet considering the importance of the vision, and the Spirit at that point
addresses him “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and
accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
The Gentile men sent from Cornelius reveal to Peter the
reason behind their coming; how Cornelius was coordinated through a heavenly
vision and voice to send for Peter, so that Cornelius' home may hear all that
Peter needs to talk about God – an expression of uplifting news and salvation
that would be birthed by the Spirit of God.
Acts 10:23b-29
And on the next day he got
up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa
accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered Caesarea.
Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and
close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and
fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But
Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a
man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found many
people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know
how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or
to visit him; and yet God has
shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. 29 That is
why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for
what reason you have sent for me.”
Listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit “Rise and go down
and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” Peter travels
north to Caesarea, landing at Cornelius’ house. As Peter enters, he finds
Cornelius' family members and friends gathered together and enthusiastically
anticipating the divine message that God would talk through Peter.
Peter starts by enlightening them about the meaning and
significance of the vision God provided for him while on the rooftop praying in
Joppa. Peter tells those listening the true meaning and significance of his
heavenly vision – "God has shown me that I ought not call any individual clean
or unclean."
The reason and significance of Peter's vision is
undoubtedly that Peter (and all Jews) should never again accept that Gentiles
coming to faith in the God of Israel are unclean or unholy. Actually, God has
acknowledged Gentiles coming to faith in Him without the requirement for them
to experience a man-made custom transformation to turn into a legitimate Jew.
This thought of Gentiles being unclean was so instilled in
Jewish idea, that Judaism of the day regarded it to be 'unlawful' for a Jew to
connect with or go into the place of a Gentile. This is the reason when Peter
goes into the place of Cornelius he says: “You yourselves know how unlawful it
is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation.” (Acts
10:28)
Peter then turns his consideration back to his host –
Cornelius the Gentile – and asks “So when I was sent for, I came without
objection. I ask then why you sent for me?”
Acts 10:30-33
Cornelius
said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth
hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer
has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and invite
Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of
Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you
have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before
God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Cornelius responds to Peter's question by telling him the divine
vision he got, at that point finishing up with an invitation for Peter to now
share the message God has assembled them all to hear. You could presumably
barely hear anything at all.
It can't be emphasised enough how critical the words are
which Peter expresses following Cornelius' encouragement to share God's message
to every one of those Gentiles assembled. God had supernaturally coordinated
this unconscionably 'unlawful' gathering of Jewish church pioneers and unclean
Gentile god-fearers, and for what? Why? The message that followed would stun
everybody gathered. Besides, repercussions would be felt all through Jerusalem,
Israel, and the Gentile world.
Acts 10:34-43
Opening his mouth, Peter
said:
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show
partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears
Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 The
word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through
Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing which took
place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John
proclaimed. 38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth,
how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and
healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 We are witnesses
of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 God
raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to
all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with
Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He ordered us to preach to the
people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed
by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of Him all
the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in
Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Peter opens his mouth and addresses the Gentile god-fearers
who have gathered and says: "Truly I understand that God shows no
partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is
acceptable to him." Peter at that point follows by giving them the good
news of salvation.
Yet, nobody was set up for what might occur straightaway,
not even Peter himself…
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter
was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who
were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who
came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured
out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking
with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for
these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
When Peter is doing the unbelievable –
announcing the good news of salvation to Gentiles – something considerably unimaginable
happens: the Holy Spirit falls on all who were accumulated there listening! Peter
and the Jewish brethren who had followed along for the journey to Cornelius'
home in Caesarea now look at each other in total surprise at what's going on in
their midst – Gentiles filled with the Holy Spirit, talking in tongues, and
praising God!
At seeing this Peter now announces in celebration "Can
anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?"
This was a significant defining moment wherein God Himself supernaturally
organized the meeting up of Jews (circumcised) and Gentiles (uncircumcised),
and in a moment destroyed the biased dividers of separation through a glorious
show of His power by His Spirit.
Later on, the Apostle Paul would write about this, on this
hidden truth which was once concealed to Gentile believers, calling them to
recognition about their new identity and the reality of being in the Messiah:
Ephesians 2:11-14
Therefore
remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called
“Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which
is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that
you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth
of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope
and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly
were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who
made both groups into one and
broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Later on, when Jewish brothers all through Judea heard that
the Gentiles likewise had received the Word of God, Peter went up to Jerusalem
and disclosed to them all that occurred while visiting the Cornelius’ house.
However, there were some in Jerusalem who were not exactly
excited at the updates on Gentile salvation. The Circumcision Party scrutinized
Peter, saying, "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
(Acts 11:2-3) We'll see these individuals again when we go through Acts 15.
Despite the cold reception by the Circumcision Party at
Jerusalem, there were as yet those present who celebrated and felt overwhelmed
by what God did by His Spirit among the Gentile believers:
Acts 11:15-18
And as I
began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord,
how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the
Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore if God gave to them the
same gift as He gave to us also
after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand
in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they quieted
down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the
Gentiles also the repentance that
leads to life.”
What an astonishing experience Peter and others encountered
direct! Peter recalls to the brothers in Jerusalem: "God gave the same
gift to them as he gave to us when we believed” and “who was I that I could
stand in God’s way?". After some silence, a large number of the brothers
celebrated God by declaring to Peter and the rest of the siblings "Then to
the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life!"
At this point, when we take a look at Acts chapter 10 and reduce
it down to a proof-content for falsely guaranteeing God has 'discarded Old
Testament dietary laws', we deceive ourselves as well as other people, yet we
totally fall short at seeing the excellent crescendo of God's arrangement – bringing
salvation to Gentile believers.
Amen
