PETER'S VISION

After the angel had appeared to Cornelius, the angel went immediately to Peter. Peter was tired and hungry after his journey and was praying on the flat roof of the house. While Peter was praying, he was given a vision.SRme 1.1301

Peter "saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In the sheet were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and wild birds. A voice said to him, 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat!'SRme 1.1302

"But Peter said, 'Certainly not, Lord! I have never eaten anything ritually unclean or defiled.'SRme 1.1303

"The voice spoke to him again, 'Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean' This happened three times, and then the thing was taken back up into heaven" (Acts 10:11-15).SRme 1.1304

Through this vision, Peter learned God's world-wide plan for the gospel. Peter had not yet preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Gentiles had listened eagerly to the truths the apostles taught, but the barriers that had divided the Gentiles from the Jews still existed in the minds of the apostles. The apostles did not understand that the death of Christ had broken down the barriers. Many Greek Jews had become believers in Christ. But the conversion of Cornelius was the first conversion of importance among the Gentiles.SRme 1.1305

The Lord used the vision of the sheet and its contents to help Peter learn an important truth. God has no favorite nations or persons. All people are equal. The Jew and Gentile were to be treated the same. Both Jews and Gentiles were precious in God's sight. Through Christ all races and nations may receive the blessings of the gospel.SRme 1.1306

Some people argue that Peter's vision teaches that God has removed His rules against eating the flesh of animals He had said were not clean. These people say the flesh of the pig is now suitable to eat. This idea is a narrow and wrong understanding of the vision given to Peter. The vision did not mean that unclean animals are suitable to eat.SRme 1.1307

Peter was commanded to kill and eat the animals in the sheet. Peter was told that he should not call unclean anything God had cleansed. God used the animals only as an example to help Peter realize the true position of the Gentiles. Christ's death made the gift of salvation available for both the Jews and Gentiles. Up until this time Peter had worked only for the Jews. God corrected Peter and taught him that the Gentiles were not unclean people and that the promises of God were for all people.SRme 1.1308

"While Peter was wondering about the meaning of this vision, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon's house was, and they were now standing in front of the gate.SRme 1.1309

"They called out and asked, 'Is there a guest here by the name of Simon Peter?'SRme 1.1310

"Peter was still trying to understand what the vision meant, when the Spirit said, 'Listen! Three men are here looking for you. So get ready and go down, and do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them'" (Acts 10:17-20, TEV).SRme 1.1311

Peter found it difficult to obey that command, but he did not dare act according to his own feelings. Peter went downstairs and welcomed the messengers sent from Cornelius. The messengers told Peter why they had come. Peter obeyed the directions he had received from God. Peter promised to go with the messengers the next day. Peter kindly entertained the messengers that night.SRme 1.1312

In the morning Peter left with the men for Caesarea. Peter also took six believers from Joppa. The believers from Joppa were to be witnesses of everything Peter did or said while he was with the Gentiles. Peter knew he would be asked to explain why he had disobeyed a strict Jewish law. The journey took almost two days.SRme 1.1313

Cornelius was eager that his friends and relatives hear the gospel. So while the messengers were bringing Peter from Joppa, Cornelius gathered together his relatives and friends. Finally the joyful moment came when the Roman captain opened wide his doors to a gospel minister. God had promised Cornelius that his guest would teach Cornelius and his household how they might be saved. Peter found a large group of people waiting to hear his words.SRme 1.1314