Friday, March 09, 2007
New Vision
Even after His death and ascension to heaven, Jesus continued to disciple Peter. This reminds us that even though we may not see or hear God in the physical realm, the Lord still communicates with His people today. God uses physical signs, visions and dreams, nature, the word's of other men, Scripture, and impressions from the Holy Spirit to guide Christians.
The early Church leaders did not have a complete understanding of everything that should be done. This evolved over time. The Gospel was still taking shape as these men and women learned the deeper lessons that Jesus taught. Revelation came as they ministered and prayed. The Holy Spirit guided them into truth. Many times God's vision was far different than what the Christian leaders first thought.
Peter encountered just such an experience in Acts 10. This passage chronicles the events that led to the Gospel expanding to God-fearing Gentiles. Jesus had a vision that extended beyond just the Jews. God's vision went all the way back to the promise spoken to Abraham that he would be father of many nations. Through him all the world would be blessed. This prophecy found its fulfillment in the life of Jesus.
Initially, the apostles focused on spreading Jesus' life and message to fellow Jews. These men did not set out to start a new religion. They were trying to redeem their own heritage from lies and distortions that they believed masked God's true purposes for Israel. The events of Acts 10 opened up the Gospel to the entire world. God spoke to Peter through a remarkable vision that called him to see beyond his own religious beliefs and personal prejudices.
Jesus had commissioned the apostles to preach the Gospel in all the world. They were to go to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Peter had proclaimed the call of the Gentiles in his preaching. But he had failed to realize this was something that was about to literally take place. Maybe he thought this would happen in the distant future. Possibly, he could have thought they would become Jews first. This is unclear from the text. Certainly, Peter did not appear to understand his prominent role in bringing the Gentiles to Jesus. After all, he was a devote Jew. He was pressing his luck enough by staying in Joppa with a tanner. What would people say if he started eating with Gentiles?
God patiently sent direction and assurance to give Peter the courage to do what needed to be done. Moses prohibited intermarriage and the practice of foreign religions. Jewish leaders extended this beyond both the letter and the spirit of the law. These pious Jews would not eat with the uncircumcised. It was a matter of religious custom not divine law. Religious attitudes tend to add unnecessary complexity to God's law. Dead religion erects barriers and makes it difficult for the people of God to welcome in new believers. This can still be seen today as many people avoid churches because they feel unwelcome to attend.
While staying at the house of Simon a tanner, Peter had a vision that would shake his worldview forever. Peter was hungry and while waiting for food to be prepared he went to pray. He ascended to the top of the roof and fell into a trance as he prayed. Peter saw heaven open wide and a sheet came down with a wide variety of animals including those considered ceremonially unclean. According to the Jewish dietary laws (Lev. 11 and Deut. 14) , Jews were forbidden to eat certain animals, such as pigs, rabbits, camels, reptiles, scavengers, many winged insects. etc. The Torah forbid Jews to even touch the dead carcass of these creatures.
A voice from heaven told Peter to rise kill and eat. As a devote Jew, Peter would not think of violating the food prohibitions of the law. Maybe he thought this was a test. What is clear from the text is that the vision disturbed Peter, and he was not sure what to make of it. Peter responded, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
It is clear that Peter recognized the voice as Jesus, his Lord. The voice spoke a second time and said, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This went on three times and the sheet was taken away.
While contemplating what the vision meant, there was a knock at the door. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, "Three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to to go with them, for I have sent them."
The messengers from the Gentile centurion were waiting to talk with Peter. It appears the purpose of the vision was to show Peter, who would not normally even eat with Gentiles, that he should go with these men.
Peter's vision also appeared to abolish the distinction between clean and unclean creatures. This would allow Jews to eat with whomever and whatsoever they pleased. The food laws had created a barrier between Jews and Gentiles. Now that Jesus was creating one Church of all believers it would be critical for them to fellowship with each other. Peter began to understand that all men both Jew and Gentile are equal before God. Jesus affirmed this command three times because sometimes Peter needed repetition for the lesson to sink in. Immediately, Peter had an opportunity to live out this lesson.
Peter was not sent to just any Gentile. He went to a devout man, one who had forsaken Roman idolatry and superstition. Cornelius feared God, taught his family to do the same, gave to those in need, prayed regularly to God. According to the Biblical account, even the Jews in Caesarea respected Cornelius. He worshipped the one only living and true God, the God of Israel.
Cornelius sent these men to Peter after being instructed to do so by an angel. Even though Cornelius loved God, it appears that had yet to hear the complete Gospel. And he needed to know about Jesus. Interestingly, the angel did not instruct Cornelius himself. The angel pointed Cornelius to another man, an apostle of Christ and minister of the Gospel. This shows that people not angels are the primary messengers that God sends to proclaim the Gospel.
Cornelius did not keep his angelic encounter quiet. He called his family and friends together to share his experiences and wait for God's messenger. They eagerly awaited to hear what God would say.
Upon meeting Cornelius' men, Peter welcomed them into the house to be his guests. He could have sent them away to find lodging. But instead, he arranged to have them stay with him. By this very act, Peter was beginning to live out the vision that God had show him. Peter's act demonstrates how Christians should be willing to entertain strangers.
Peter, Cornelius' men and some Jewish Christians from Joppa went to Caesarea the next day. It is not clear why some of the men from Joppa accompanied them. Maybe it was to serve as witnesses since Peter was charting new territory. He would likely have to justify his action to others. And this way he would have eyewitnesses to whatever God had planned. Maybe the men went along to assist in any way they could. Regardless the reason, Peter did not go alone, which is always a wise move for anyone going to minister in the world. There is always strength in numbers.
Upon meeting Peter, Cornelius fell down at his feet in reverence. But Peter was not looking for worship or even respect. He made the soldier get up. Peter said, "Stand up. I am only a man myself."
When Peter went inside the house, he saw a large crowd of people. This wasn't going to be kept a secret very long. One of the first things that Peter says is, "You know I am not supposed to be here." Aware of the cultural and religious taboo he was violating, Peter may have remembered how Jesus frequently did the same type of thing.
Jews were forbidden by the traditions of the elders, which set restrictions beyond what the Torah prescribed, to eat, drink, walk with in the street or enter the house of a Gentile. Peter explained his actions by saying that God had showed him that he should not call any man common or unclean. All men are unclean apart from Christ, and all those who belong to God have been purified by Christ.
After Cornelius explained why he had sent for Peter, the apostle began to preach. He said, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
Peter appealed to their basic knowledge of Jesus and John the Baptist and connected it to what the prophets said as he completely explained the fullness of the Gospel. He preached Jesus crucified and resurrected as the path to lasting peace. Peter taught that everyone who believes on Jesus receives forgiveness of sins.
While it is good to believe in God, salvation comes through the name of Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Peter was taking Cornelius and those in his house from a basic concept of God to a fuller understanding of the good news that came through Christ.
As Peter preached, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who were listening. And they began to speak in tongues just as the Jews had done on Pentecost. The Jews who came with Peter were astonished. They thought this experience was only for the Jews. These extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were necessary at the first preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles. It was a sign that confirmed the authority and divine direction of what was taking place. Peter suggested that the Gentiles be baptized in water since they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
These Gentile Christians very likely laid the foundation of a strong church that lasted a long time in that city. They were most certainly the first Gentile church in the world. It is not unlikely that some Gentiles might have heard the Gospel preached in a Jewish synagogue. But this was the first time that the Gospel was deliberately preached to Gentiles. These were the first Gentile Christians to be baptized. Every Gentile believer today can trace his or her faith back to this moment because God's true vision was realised on this day.
God could have chosen a philosopher or priest to be the first Gentile to hear the full Gospel. But he chose Cornelius, a soldier and officer of considerable rank as centurion. First, Cornelius was a seeker who was brave enough to worship God at a time when many Gentiles worshipped false gods and even the Roman emperors. His faith could have easily cost him is military position. Maybe he left his military career as Rome began to target Christians. As a military man, Cornelius would have understood how to get things done and would have been able to provide the discipline and organization to lead the church in Caesarea.
Cornelius is the only soldier of whose conversion we have an account in the New Testament, and of his subsequent career we know nothing. But the impact of this episode in his life is clear. It forever changed the world. God used it enlarge the vision of the apostles to understand the fullness of what it meant to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.
The early Church leaders did not have a complete understanding of everything that should be done. This evolved over time. The Gospel was still taking shape as these men and women learned the deeper lessons that Jesus taught. Revelation came as they ministered and prayed. The Holy Spirit guided them into truth. Many times God's vision was far different than what the Christian leaders first thought.
Peter encountered just such an experience in Acts 10. This passage chronicles the events that led to the Gospel expanding to God-fearing Gentiles. Jesus had a vision that extended beyond just the Jews. God's vision went all the way back to the promise spoken to Abraham that he would be father of many nations. Through him all the world would be blessed. This prophecy found its fulfillment in the life of Jesus.
Initially, the apostles focused on spreading Jesus' life and message to fellow Jews. These men did not set out to start a new religion. They were trying to redeem their own heritage from lies and distortions that they believed masked God's true purposes for Israel. The events of Acts 10 opened up the Gospel to the entire world. God spoke to Peter through a remarkable vision that called him to see beyond his own religious beliefs and personal prejudices.
Jesus had commissioned the apostles to preach the Gospel in all the world. They were to go to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Peter had proclaimed the call of the Gentiles in his preaching. But he had failed to realize this was something that was about to literally take place. Maybe he thought this would happen in the distant future. Possibly, he could have thought they would become Jews first. This is unclear from the text. Certainly, Peter did not appear to understand his prominent role in bringing the Gentiles to Jesus. After all, he was a devote Jew. He was pressing his luck enough by staying in Joppa with a tanner. What would people say if he started eating with Gentiles?
God patiently sent direction and assurance to give Peter the courage to do what needed to be done. Moses prohibited intermarriage and the practice of foreign religions. Jewish leaders extended this beyond both the letter and the spirit of the law. These pious Jews would not eat with the uncircumcised. It was a matter of religious custom not divine law. Religious attitudes tend to add unnecessary complexity to God's law. Dead religion erects barriers and makes it difficult for the people of God to welcome in new believers. This can still be seen today as many people avoid churches because they feel unwelcome to attend.
While staying at the house of Simon a tanner, Peter had a vision that would shake his worldview forever. Peter was hungry and while waiting for food to be prepared he went to pray. He ascended to the top of the roof and fell into a trance as he prayed. Peter saw heaven open wide and a sheet came down with a wide variety of animals including those considered ceremonially unclean. According to the Jewish dietary laws (Lev. 11 and Deut. 14) , Jews were forbidden to eat certain animals, such as pigs, rabbits, camels, reptiles, scavengers, many winged insects. etc. The Torah forbid Jews to even touch the dead carcass of these creatures.
A voice from heaven told Peter to rise kill and eat. As a devote Jew, Peter would not think of violating the food prohibitions of the law. Maybe he thought this was a test. What is clear from the text is that the vision disturbed Peter, and he was not sure what to make of it. Peter responded, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
It is clear that Peter recognized the voice as Jesus, his Lord. The voice spoke a second time and said, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This went on three times and the sheet was taken away.
While contemplating what the vision meant, there was a knock at the door. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, "Three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to to go with them, for I have sent them."
The messengers from the Gentile centurion were waiting to talk with Peter. It appears the purpose of the vision was to show Peter, who would not normally even eat with Gentiles, that he should go with these men.
Peter's vision also appeared to abolish the distinction between clean and unclean creatures. This would allow Jews to eat with whomever and whatsoever they pleased. The food laws had created a barrier between Jews and Gentiles. Now that Jesus was creating one Church of all believers it would be critical for them to fellowship with each other. Peter began to understand that all men both Jew and Gentile are equal before God. Jesus affirmed this command three times because sometimes Peter needed repetition for the lesson to sink in. Immediately, Peter had an opportunity to live out this lesson.
Peter was not sent to just any Gentile. He went to a devout man, one who had forsaken Roman idolatry and superstition. Cornelius feared God, taught his family to do the same, gave to those in need, prayed regularly to God. According to the Biblical account, even the Jews in Caesarea respected Cornelius. He worshipped the one only living and true God, the God of Israel.
Cornelius sent these men to Peter after being instructed to do so by an angel. Even though Cornelius loved God, it appears that had yet to hear the complete Gospel. And he needed to know about Jesus. Interestingly, the angel did not instruct Cornelius himself. The angel pointed Cornelius to another man, an apostle of Christ and minister of the Gospel. This shows that people not angels are the primary messengers that God sends to proclaim the Gospel.
Cornelius did not keep his angelic encounter quiet. He called his family and friends together to share his experiences and wait for God's messenger. They eagerly awaited to hear what God would say.
Upon meeting Cornelius' men, Peter welcomed them into the house to be his guests. He could have sent them away to find lodging. But instead, he arranged to have them stay with him. By this very act, Peter was beginning to live out the vision that God had show him. Peter's act demonstrates how Christians should be willing to entertain strangers.
Peter, Cornelius' men and some Jewish Christians from Joppa went to Caesarea the next day. It is not clear why some of the men from Joppa accompanied them. Maybe it was to serve as witnesses since Peter was charting new territory. He would likely have to justify his action to others. And this way he would have eyewitnesses to whatever God had planned. Maybe the men went along to assist in any way they could. Regardless the reason, Peter did not go alone, which is always a wise move for anyone going to minister in the world. There is always strength in numbers.
Upon meeting Peter, Cornelius fell down at his feet in reverence. But Peter was not looking for worship or even respect. He made the soldier get up. Peter said, "Stand up. I am only a man myself."
When Peter went inside the house, he saw a large crowd of people. This wasn't going to be kept a secret very long. One of the first things that Peter says is, "You know I am not supposed to be here." Aware of the cultural and religious taboo he was violating, Peter may have remembered how Jesus frequently did the same type of thing.
Jews were forbidden by the traditions of the elders, which set restrictions beyond what the Torah prescribed, to eat, drink, walk with in the street or enter the house of a Gentile. Peter explained his actions by saying that God had showed him that he should not call any man common or unclean. All men are unclean apart from Christ, and all those who belong to God have been purified by Christ.
After Cornelius explained why he had sent for Peter, the apostle began to preach. He said, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
Peter appealed to their basic knowledge of Jesus and John the Baptist and connected it to what the prophets said as he completely explained the fullness of the Gospel. He preached Jesus crucified and resurrected as the path to lasting peace. Peter taught that everyone who believes on Jesus receives forgiveness of sins.
While it is good to believe in God, salvation comes through the name of Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Peter was taking Cornelius and those in his house from a basic concept of God to a fuller understanding of the good news that came through Christ.
As Peter preached, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who were listening. And they began to speak in tongues just as the Jews had done on Pentecost. The Jews who came with Peter were astonished. They thought this experience was only for the Jews. These extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were necessary at the first preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles. It was a sign that confirmed the authority and divine direction of what was taking place. Peter suggested that the Gentiles be baptized in water since they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
These Gentile Christians very likely laid the foundation of a strong church that lasted a long time in that city. They were most certainly the first Gentile church in the world. It is not unlikely that some Gentiles might have heard the Gospel preached in a Jewish synagogue. But this was the first time that the Gospel was deliberately preached to Gentiles. These were the first Gentile Christians to be baptized. Every Gentile believer today can trace his or her faith back to this moment because God's true vision was realised on this day.
God could have chosen a philosopher or priest to be the first Gentile to hear the full Gospel. But he chose Cornelius, a soldier and officer of considerable rank as centurion. First, Cornelius was a seeker who was brave enough to worship God at a time when many Gentiles worshipped false gods and even the Roman emperors. His faith could have easily cost him is military position. Maybe he left his military career as Rome began to target Christians. As a military man, Cornelius would have understood how to get things done and would have been able to provide the discipline and organization to lead the church in Caesarea.
Cornelius is the only soldier of whose conversion we have an account in the New Testament, and of his subsequent career we know nothing. But the impact of this episode in his life is clear. It forever changed the world. God used it enlarge the vision of the apostles to understand the fullness of what it meant to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.
