Chapter Ten –
First
Uncircumcised Gentile Convert
ACTS 10:9-22:
In our last lesson, we were introduced to Cornelius. He was for God a
memorial (reminder) of a promise made. As such, we have the beginning of the
redemption of all men by the same means (God is not a respecter of persons –
Acts 10:34;
Romans 2:11;
Galatians 2:6;
Ephesians 6:9;
Colossians 3:25;
1 Peter 1:17).
As there is always a beginning, Cornelius will be the first uncircumcised
Gentile convert. No longer will there be a way for Jews, and a way for
Gentiles, but all are to be ‘ONE’ in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:14-18
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and
has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15
having
abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments
contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man
from the two, thus making peace,
16
and that He
might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby
putting to death the enmity.
17
And He came
and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
18
For through
Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
In this lesson, we will see that Cornelius has obeyed the angel of God and
sent for Peter. In addition, Peter being a Jew, will have to be prepared by
God to go to a Gentile.
Text #1:
Acts 10:9-15
“The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter
went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
10
Then he
became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell
into a trance
11
and saw
heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners,
descending to him and let down to the earth.
12
In it were
all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things,
and birds of the air.
13
And a voice
came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14
But Peter
said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15
And a voice
spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must
not call common.””
The Next
Day:
We need to
make a note concerning the description of days in this context. It is
important because the use of days in this text is the same style of use we
see used to describe the days leading up to the Lord’s resurrection (parts
of days counted as entire days).
Any part of
a day is counted as an entire day in the narrative!
Vs. 3
is the first day, even though it is almost over.
Vs.9
is the second day,
Vs. 23 is the third day, and
Vs. 24
is the fourth day, even though it is not over. Then in
Vs. 30,
it is summarized by Cornelius as four days.
Housetop:
The common construction of homes in Judea included a concealed flat rooftop
that would enable privacy from the rest of the house for prayer. Here is an
artist’s rendering of the rooftop where Peter will have his vision (just for
a reference of the housetop!):
Sixth Hour:
The time of day is given by Luke to designate that Peter is clearly having a
vision, as it is the middle of the afternoon (approximately noon). It is
also while he is on the roof praying that he becomes hungry; this is
significant as in his preparations to descend and eat, he is completely
stopped by the trance he falls into (trance – displacement of mind).
Vision:
The visual illustration of the lesson that the Lord wishes to teach Peter
descends in front of him. The great sheet, as Luke describes it, is full of
all kinds of animals, creeping things, and birds. Then there is the oral
instruction to “Kill and Eat”.
One should
not think that this instruction is unusual but realize that the children of
Israel have been trained since birth that they were not allowed by Law
to eat just anything; in fact it was repulsive to the Jews to eat anything
considered by Law to be unclean. The specifics of what they could and could
not legally eat is found in
Leviticus 11;
Deuteronomy 14:3-21.
Peter
responds with the expected repulsive reaction one would assume a Jew would
have to this instruction.
A voice
would speak to Peter concerning a needed change in his understanding of what
is common or unclean (for the sake of what is about to happen with
Cornelius). The mention of Luke concerning what was done three times, is not
referring to the vision being presented three times, but that Peter would
have to be told three times to reconsider what he thinks is common or
unclean (three times for Peter is something he is becoming known for).
Note:
With the abrogation of the Old Law, and the coming of all men to God through
Christ, there would no longer be issues of food restrictions to the servants
of God through Christ Jesus; but a definite guard against the lusts of the
flesh.
Colossians 2:20-23
“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic
principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you
subject yourselves to regulations—
21
“Do not
touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
22
which all
concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and
doctrines of men?
23
These
things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion,
false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value
against the indulgence of the flesh.”
1 Timothy 4:1-5
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some
will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines
of demons,
2
speaking
lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3
forbidding
to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to
be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4
For every
creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is
received with thanksgiving;
5
for it is
sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
1 Peter 2:11
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul”
Text #2:
Acts 10:17-22
“Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen
meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for
Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
18
And they
called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19
While Peter
thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are
seeking you.
20
Arise
therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent
them.”
21
Then Peter
went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said,
“Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
22
And they
said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has
a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed
by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.””
As Peter
sat perplexed over the vision and its meaning (showing that even three times
was not enough), the men sent by Cornelius arrived. Even before he could be
told by those of the household of Simon the Tanner, the Spirit informed
Peter of the men, and added that he go with them
“Doubting nothing”.
This makes
it very clear that Peter would probably not have gone at all without this
prompt, even before he comes to a clear understanding of the vision.
Once the
servants of Cornelius and Peter are united, they reveal the Divine
instructions to come to Peter and bring him to Cornelius in order to hear
words from him (emphasized in the last lesson).
Nothing is
known about the nationality of Cornelius’ household servants that have been
sent to Peter; however, we know that Peter is going to speak to all of them
and acknowledge that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with
those of another nation (Vs.
28). If in fact these are Gentiles, as Cornelius, Peter’s lodging
them is a sign that he is already beginning to comprehend the vision’s
message.
Next: “Peter and Cornelius United!”