Peter’s Vision

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: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 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 enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Acts 10:9-22

Steps: 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12

While Paul is getting established as a Christian in Damascus, Peter is granted a vision of how to take the gospel of recovery from sin to the Gentiles. A Roman Centurion named Cornelius has sent three men to find Peter to invite him to come and share his experience, strength, and hope with Cornelius and his Gentile friends. God is aware of Peter’s thinking about it being illegal to speak to the Gentiles, because of his Jewish training and bigotry. Before the three men come to Peter, God gives Peter a vision of three sheets of unclean animals. After each sheet God tells Peter “What God hath cleansed that call not though common”. Peter was wondering what this vision meant and the Holy Spirit told Peter that the three men who were coming were sent by Him and that Peter was to go with them doubting nothing, for the Holy Spirit had sent them.

Prayer for Today: God, You know how easily we get confused when trying to sort out Your will from our human traditions. Grant us an awareness of what You want for us and give us the courage and instruction to do it as You instruct us. Help us to obey like Peter did.