In Acts 10 we hear about a man named Cornelius. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon (love those details, Saint Luke!), he had a vision. An angel told him, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."
At about noon the following day Peter went up on a roof to pray. "He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and soemthing like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.
"Then a voice told him, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'" Peter replied, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.' The voice spoke to him a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."
It's really interesting that Peter was really hungry when he had this vision. Is that a coincidence? That God used a perceived and practical need to get his attention? Sounds like a "divine time."
While he was contemplating the vision, the men sent by Cornelius (one of whom was a soldier) stopped at the gate by his house. The Holy Spirit told Peter, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."
Peter didn't just wait around for these guys to come upstairs, he went down. When they explained why they were there, Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. They set off the next day to Cornelius' place. It's neat that Peter practiced hospitality and had these guys spend the night. He probably fed them dinner and maybe breakfast.
Cornelius explained his vision, and then Peter explained his (it's the second time we read the account). I like what Cornelius said after his explanation:
"...it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
I imagine that Peter didn't not tell them to give him 45 minutes to prepare a sermon. I bet you that the apostles most often spoke and taught "from the hip" and just shared what the Lord had told them. The crux of the message was that Jesus died and rose again, and that God wanted them to tell others that Jesus was the One Whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead, stating that "all the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name."
What's interesting is that while Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The "circumcised believers" who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God."
The next time Peter was in Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him. Peter began to explain everything precisely how it happened (and we read the account for the third time there in Acts 11). What's cool is that after Peter was done explaining that the Holy Spirit fell on these people, "they had no further objections and praised God, saying, 'So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.'" These believers were open to instruction, hearing God teach, and changing their minds (repent themselves). This is a good sign of a true believer. They will listen to reason, apply the Scriptures, and be willing to change their mind. I would call that the kind of "soft-hearted people that God can use."
That's really neat. And I am a descendant and "fruit" of that whole story, as my lineage and bloodline is one of "Gentile" origin, not Jewish. I am so grateful that God has allowed us into His kingdom.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at November 21, 2005 09:02 AM