A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus
“Peter’s Vision”, Acts 10: 9) On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the house top to pray about the sixth hour: Daniel 6:10. 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: Revelations 10:11. 12) Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13) And here came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15) And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 1Timoth 4:4; Titus 1:15. 16) This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into Heaven. 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 enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18) And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19) While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Revelations 22:17. 20) Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15. 21) 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? 22) 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. 23) Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Quest Study Bible – Why go up on a roof to pray? v9) Houses at this time were built with flat roofs, and outside stairways provided easy access to them. It may have been a good place for Peter to go for solitude while the meal was being prepared. Also see, Did these men destroy the roof? Mark 2:4. Why learn theology by trance? v10-20) Throughout the Bible, visions, dreams and trances–often delivered by prophets–were primary means of divine revelation to human beings. Today we rely on the Bible to tell us God’s ways. Impure or unclean, v14) See impure or unclean (11:8).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary – v9-18) The prejudices of Peter against the Gentiles, would have prevented his going to Cornelius, unless the Lord had prepared him for this service. To tell a Jew that God had directed those animals to be reckoned clean which were hitherto deemed unclean, was in effect saying that the law of Moses was done away. Peter was soon made to know the meaning of it. God knows what services are before us, and how to prepare us. v19-23) When we receive a clear call to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Amen.
More to come and God Bless You.
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