While visiting Simon the tanner, Peter goes to the roof of the house to pray. He's really hungry, and while lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance. During this time, God gives Peter a vision, about food, no less! God speaks to us where we are and He used Peter's hunger and a trance to get his full attention.
This vision involved meat. God gave Peter a vision of all kinds of beasts, creeping things, and fowl and told Peter to arise, kill and eat. Peter's response to God was "No, I have never eaten anything this is common or unclean." Peter was a Jew. And according to the law given to Moses in Leviticus 11, Jews ate only a very few meats and they must be prepared with great detail. This was for the protection of the nation. God told Peter three times that he could eat because what "God has cleansed is no longer considered unholy or common." This was probably very scary to Peter. You mean that everything I have ever thought or believed or practiced is now unnecessary? YES!
This vision has a much deeper meaning than Peter's lunch. And, it even goes deeper than the abolishment of unclean and unholy meats. Because God is going to use this as a truth that not only applies to meat but to all people!
This vision involved meat. God gave Peter a vision of all kinds of beasts, creeping things, and fowl and told Peter to arise, kill and eat. Peter's response to God was "No, I have never eaten anything this is common or unclean." Peter was a Jew. And according to the law given to Moses in Leviticus 11, Jews ate only a very few meats and they must be prepared with great detail. This was for the protection of the nation. God told Peter three times that he could eat because what "God has cleansed is no longer considered unholy or common." This was probably very scary to Peter. You mean that everything I have ever thought or believed or practiced is now unnecessary? YES!
This vision has a much deeper meaning than Peter's lunch. And, it even goes deeper than the abolishment of unclean and unholy meats. Because God is going to use this as a truth that not only applies to meat but to all people!
God is Sovereign. And He is at work at all times in any situation. He has a plan, a purpose, and a will that is accomplished through every circumstance. He is all powerful and all-knowing and He has complete control. He is above all, over all, in all! He is I AM! Praise Him!
While Peter was dreaming of lunch in a vision from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit was giving a vision and a word to a Italian centurion in Caesarea named Cornelius. (say that ten times fast!) This man, Cornelius, was devout and God-fearing. He gave to the needy and prayed daily. And so was everyone in his house. God had a plan for him that would change mine and your lives. God gave him a detailed vision of a man named Peter. He told Cornelius that Peter was staying in Joppa near the sea with a man named Simon. Go there and get him. Simon trusted what God had revealed to him and he sent two servants and a soldier to find Peter. When these three men arrived in Joppa at the house of Simon, they sent for Peter. Peter was waiting for their arrival. Not only had God spoke to Peter in a vision about His cleansing of unclean meat, He also told Peter that three men would be coming for him. God said, "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." Acts 10:20
What is so satisfying about this is that the Holy Spirit was speaking and revealing details and information to these men miles apart. One a Jew and one a gentile. God divinely directed these two men to do His will. They trusted Him and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit spoke to these men and there was no doubt or mistake. There was confirmation that could not be denied.
Once Peter arrived at the home of Cornelius, there were many that were gathered there. Family, friends, and kinsman had come to meet this Peter. Cornelius knew that Peter had to be someone special, why else would God want Peter to come there. Upon entering the house, it all made perfect sense to Peter. The hunger, the vision, the meat. Peter says, "it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but, God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Acts 10:28 The Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that was God cleanses He calls holy.
Peter begins to speak truth, "God is no respecter of persons!" Acts 10:34 In Joel 2 the prophet tells us that the LORD:
While Peter was dreaming of lunch in a vision from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit was giving a vision and a word to a Italian centurion in Caesarea named Cornelius. (say that ten times fast!) This man, Cornelius, was devout and God-fearing. He gave to the needy and prayed daily. And so was everyone in his house. God had a plan for him that would change mine and your lives. God gave him a detailed vision of a man named Peter. He told Cornelius that Peter was staying in Joppa near the sea with a man named Simon. Go there and get him. Simon trusted what God had revealed to him and he sent two servants and a soldier to find Peter. When these three men arrived in Joppa at the house of Simon, they sent for Peter. Peter was waiting for their arrival. Not only had God spoke to Peter in a vision about His cleansing of unclean meat, He also told Peter that three men would be coming for him. God said, "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." Acts 10:20
What is so satisfying about this is that the Holy Spirit was speaking and revealing details and information to these men miles apart. One a Jew and one a gentile. God divinely directed these two men to do His will. They trusted Him and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit spoke to these men and there was no doubt or mistake. There was confirmation that could not be denied.
Once Peter arrived at the home of Cornelius, there were many that were gathered there. Family, friends, and kinsman had come to meet this Peter. Cornelius knew that Peter had to be someone special, why else would God want Peter to come there. Upon entering the house, it all made perfect sense to Peter. The hunger, the vision, the meat. Peter says, "it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but, God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Acts 10:28 The Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that was God cleanses He calls holy.
Peter begins to speak truth, "God is no respecter of persons!" Acts 10:34 In Joel 2 the prophet tells us that the LORD:
28“It will come about after this
That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions.
29“Even on the male and female servants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
He preached Jesus to this household that every nation that fears God and works righteousness is welcome to Him. He testified to Jesus' anointing and power and he told of His healings. How Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead and how He ate and drank with chosen witnesses. While Peter was speaking, the GIFT of the Holy Ghost fell on these Gentiles and the Jews that were there were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on them and they were speaking in tongues. Seeing this, they were baptized with water.
The Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles. Jesus came to all people and God has given His indwelling presence to all people. He is no respecter of persons!
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