Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18Sample

What is this passage saying?

God’s plans never fail. It is such a blessing that we get this aerial view while reading the Bible. The people in the stories can only see what is happening right in front of them. When we read this story, we can see how God is bringing everything together perfectly. God had given Peter a vision of all kinds of clean and unclean animals coming down from heaven. The law of God, given to the Jews outlawed the people from eating certain animals to separate them from the pagan nations that surrounded them. This is why Peter refused to eat the unclean animals when the voice from heaven told him to “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” When Peter refused, as he thought he should, the voice from heaven spoke again and said, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” The vision occurred two more times, Tony Evans writes that “two or three witnesses are God’s method of divine confirmation.” Cornelius’ men arrive just in time, the Spirit tells Peter to go with them and Peter obeys. Peter is brought to Cornelius’ house, which is filled with his close friends and relatives. Cornelius was ready for what God was going to bring about. Peter says, in the room filled with gentiles, that it is unlawful for him, a Jew, to be visiting a Gentile, but he continues by saying “…but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” God is changing the heart of Peter, and Peter is the first of many that God will change for the better. God is making what was unclean, sinners, clean, Jews and Gentiles alike by the work of His son at Calvary.

What is this passage teaching?

In Hebrews 12:24 we read that Jesus is the mediator of a New Covenant- He is the only and forever High priest of the order of Melchizedek (Genesis 14, Hebrews 7). In Romans 7, Paul writes how the law showed him that he was a sinner. The law revealed the sin that separates us from God. Jesus’ death paid the consequences of our sins and brought us back into a relationship with God. This passage shows us how God is uniting His Church under this new covenant. Peter is so wonderful to learn from. God chose Peter to be the one to visit Cornelius. He is having his Jewish thought process changed. Peter is submitting what he knew to the Lord. He knows the voice and the ways of the Lord so intimately, that he knows when something is clearly from the Lord! Peter trusts the ways of the Lord. He is in a room filled with people he would’ve considered unclean just a few days ago. By trusting God’s leading, Peter was able to witness to those men and women who were deeply desiring the presence of God.

How do I respond?

Be bold and share the Gospel. Jesus’ sacrifice needs no addition. His work was perfect, and it is complete. Share Jesus with everyone! Far be it from us to disqualify anyone from the gift of salvation based on worldly standards. God has spoken, now we obey.