- Aug 28, 2010
- 558
- 10
- 0
Let's read God’s holy word to see for ourselves.
Acts 10
[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
So we see that Cornelius was a non-Jew.
[2] A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
But Cornelius and his family feared God, gave to the poor and prayed always.
[5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
[6] He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
So he was given a vision and instructions to seek after Peter and would be told what to do.
[9] On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
[10] And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
[11] And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
While this was taking place Peter also was given a vision.
[12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Peter saw ALL manner of food and was told to kill and eat. Now let's take in Peter's reply;
[14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
So even AFTER Jesus died on the cross Peter STILL did not eat anything that was unclean. But some say Jesus did away with the dietary laws! Peter must have missed that sermon. Let's continue;
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
[16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
In Peter's vision this was done (3) times.
[17] Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
Peter DOUBTED what this vision could mean. While he was thinking about it the men the angel sent arrived.
[19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
[20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
The meeting of Cornelius, a Gentile; and Peter, a Jew was SUPPOSED to happen. The (2) visions were connected. And Peter was told not to doubt anything when he met with the men, for they were sent by God.
[25] And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
[26] But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
[27] And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
So they met and there were many with Cornelius.
[28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation;
Peter then told them how it was unlawful (by the Jews law) for him to have a non-Jew, or ANY of another nation come into his house.
BUT LOOK WHAT WAS REVEALED TO PETER..............
[28]......but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Was the vision about God's dietary laws? Of course not! The vision was to let Peter know it was now time for the Gentiles and ALL other nations to receive the word of God.
Let's read what Peter says after he hears the complete story from the men that came with Cornelius;
[33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
Peter is now about to say EVERYTHING that resulted in his vision and the events that followed, as they were, "ALL THINGS THAT ARE COMMANDED THEE OF GOD."
Now let's read if one of the things that was "...COMMANDED THEE OF GOD...", was doing away with His dietary laws;
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
[35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Again....no mention of food. Would not this have been the time to say it?
After all, Peter said he would say, "ALL THINGS THAT ARE COMMANDED THEE OF GOD."! So why did he not say anything about God‘s dietary laws being done away with?
So now Peter understood the vision. It was about MEN not being called unclean and NOT food.
Now let's confirm this. Let's see if Peter said anything about God's dietary law being done away with when he told the story over.
Acts 11
[1] And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
[2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
[3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
So when the Jews of Jerusalem heard what Peter had done they were mad at him. Now do you think the Jews were upset about what food was being eaten? NO! They were mad because one of their own not only had associations with Gentiles, but had given them the word of God. But let's read what Peter did and said;
[4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Peter went over everything that happened, because Peter knew how upset those Jews would be.
First Peter tells of his vision;
[5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
[6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
[8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
[9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
[10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven
Then Peter tell what happened next;
[11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
[12] And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
[13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
[14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
[15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Now let's see at what time God's dietary law was mentioned;
[16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
No mention of food there;
[17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Not there;
[18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,
And why did they hold their peace? Let's read;
[18]......Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
So even when Peter repeated his story the outcome was still the same.
Now at what point was Peter’s vision ever about God's Dietary laws?
Did you know Jesus will kill people for eating certain foods when He returns? Lesson to come soon.
..
Acts 10
[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
So we see that Cornelius was a non-Jew.
[2] A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
But Cornelius and his family feared God, gave to the poor and prayed always.
[5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
[6] He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
So he was given a vision and instructions to seek after Peter and would be told what to do.
[9] On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
[10] And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
[11] And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
While this was taking place Peter also was given a vision.
[12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Peter saw ALL manner of food and was told to kill and eat. Now let's take in Peter's reply;
[14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
So even AFTER Jesus died on the cross Peter STILL did not eat anything that was unclean. But some say Jesus did away with the dietary laws! Peter must have missed that sermon. Let's continue;
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
[16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
In Peter's vision this was done (3) times.
[17] Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
Peter DOUBTED what this vision could mean. While he was thinking about it the men the angel sent arrived.
[19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
[20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
The meeting of Cornelius, a Gentile; and Peter, a Jew was SUPPOSED to happen. The (2) visions were connected. And Peter was told not to doubt anything when he met with the men, for they were sent by God.
[25] And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
[26] But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
[27] And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
So they met and there were many with Cornelius.
[28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation;
Peter then told them how it was unlawful (by the Jews law) for him to have a non-Jew, or ANY of another nation come into his house.
BUT LOOK WHAT WAS REVEALED TO PETER..............
[28]......but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Was the vision about God's dietary laws? Of course not! The vision was to let Peter know it was now time for the Gentiles and ALL other nations to receive the word of God.
Let's read what Peter says after he hears the complete story from the men that came with Cornelius;
[33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
Peter is now about to say EVERYTHING that resulted in his vision and the events that followed, as they were, "ALL THINGS THAT ARE COMMANDED THEE OF GOD."
Now let's read if one of the things that was "...COMMANDED THEE OF GOD...", was doing away with His dietary laws;
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
[35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Again....no mention of food. Would not this have been the time to say it?
After all, Peter said he would say, "ALL THINGS THAT ARE COMMANDED THEE OF GOD."! So why did he not say anything about God‘s dietary laws being done away with?
So now Peter understood the vision. It was about MEN not being called unclean and NOT food.
Now let's confirm this. Let's see if Peter said anything about God's dietary law being done away with when he told the story over.
Acts 11
[1] And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
[2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
[3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
So when the Jews of Jerusalem heard what Peter had done they were mad at him. Now do you think the Jews were upset about what food was being eaten? NO! They were mad because one of their own not only had associations with Gentiles, but had given them the word of God. But let's read what Peter did and said;
[4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Peter went over everything that happened, because Peter knew how upset those Jews would be.
First Peter tells of his vision;
[5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
[6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
[8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
[9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
[10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven
Then Peter tell what happened next;
[11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
[12] And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
[13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
[14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
[15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Now let's see at what time God's dietary law was mentioned;
[16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
No mention of food there;
[17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Not there;
[18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,
And why did they hold their peace? Let's read;
[18]......Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
So even when Peter repeated his story the outcome was still the same.
Now at what point was Peter’s vision ever about God's Dietary laws?
Did you know Jesus will kill people for eating certain foods when He returns? Lesson to come soon.
..