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Peter and Cornelius A Vision
Introduced a New Age And I will give unto thee [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven.—Matthew 16:19 Rick Suraci God’s plan for man’s redemption has been punctuated by changes, including the flood which ended the old world ruled by angels, the calling of Abraham beginning the Patriarchal age, and the death of Jacob which ushered in the Jewish age. Now it was time for another change, one that would be played out through the experiences of the apostle Peter and Cornelius, the first Gentile convert. Amos summed up the broad context of these events: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). Since the days of their father Abraham, the children of Israel had enjoyed an exclusive relationship with Jehovah. This relationship was marked by two defining features that separated them from the other nations of the world: the rite of circumcision given to Abraham, and the Law Covenant given to Moses. Because God’s covenant relationship made them unique, they were marked as chosen, the only chosen people of Jehovah. Then the Messiah arrived and the call to be part of the church was given exclusively to those chosen. But they rejected Jesus and nationally they were cast off as a result of that rejection. That was the defining event showing a change of age. No longer would the house of Israel exclusively occupy a position of favor they had had for thousands of years. Now the spiritual house of Israel would be called upon to carry that banner until the next phase of the plan would begin. The only question was how this change would transpire. Previously, each dispensational change was simply an expansion of existing favor. With the death of Jacob, favor, previously given to individuals only, was expanded to include Jacob’s twelve sons and through them the entire nation of Israel. The arrival of John the Baptist was a clearly prophesied event that introduced Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. But by rejecting him, national favor was departing and individual favor for both Jew and Gentile as a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood,” was emerging. How would such a monumental change be effectively communicated? It would need an appropriate Gentile, someone to announce the change, and a way to communicate this monumental transition to that “someone.” “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius … a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.” —Acts 10:1,2, NRSV These words reveal the character of Cornelius. He was a “devout” man meaning he was reverent and pious. Such a description cannot apply to someone unless that person has displayed these characteristics over a long period. He “feared God with all his household,” meaning that as the head of the house he had the strength of character to nurture his household members toward godliness, away from the pagan beliefs they undoubtedly inherited. He “gave alms generously to the people” (the Jews of his community). This showed his deep compassion for the people of Jehovah and his willingness to support them outwardly. Finally, he “prayed constantly to God.” While constant prayer would not be surprising in light of what we are told about him, this practice was, nonetheless, nothing short of amazing when we consider his pagan status did not hinder his obvious grasp of the Law and favor to Israel only. Cornelius knew he was not among God’s favored, but he prayed anyway. “One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, Cornelius. He stared at him in terror and said, What is it, Lord? He answered, Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.”—Acts 10:3-8, NRSV The first element of this experience is the vision itself. The word “vision” (Strong’s #3705, something gazed at, a spectacle) is used for both visions within the mind as well as for things that can be literally seen. The fact that Cornelius’ vision was seen “openly” (Strong’s #5320, plainly, clearly, or publicly) seems to indicate that this was an actual visit from an angel. This occurred about three in the afternoon and Cornelius was praying as he explains later to Peter: “And Cornelius said, Four days ago till this hour, I was fasting, and at the ninth hour praying in my house, and, lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing” (Acts 10:30, Young’s Literal Translation). The ninth hour was one of the Jewish hours of prayer (Acts 3:1; Exodus 29:38-42) and Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, was keeping it holy! What an example of faith and humility he is. Here was a man on the outside of blessing and favor who was reverencing the Almighty for the sake of reverence alone. Next we see his reaction: terror (fear, alarm) and recognition. This was the usual reaction by those whose minds were focused on holy things (Luke 1:12,29; Acts 9:5,6). Here again is evidence of the character of this centurion. His humble response (“What is it, Lord?”) reveals his willingness to listen and be taught. “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” This is an unusual proclamation: Your prayers have ascended as a “memorial.” What was the significance of this? The word “memorial” is used only one other time in the Bible. It concerns the anointing of Jesus by Mary: “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:8,9). Consequently, the angel’s first words gave Cornelius special encouragement. God had heard, appreciated, and remembered his prayers; now they were being answered. What a magnificent lesson in understanding the wisdom, power, justice, and love of the Almighty! Jehovah heard the prayers of a humble pagan man and though it was not yet an appropriate time for an answer, had held them with honor, until favor to the Gentiles would begin. Then, with a swift and mighty response, Jehovah answered Cornelius. Next, the angel gave instructions which were both simple and mysterious. Send men to Joppa to find Simon Peter. Here is his address. Have them invite him back and he will instruct you (Acts 10:32). Then the angel left. Why did the angel leave out all the details and not tell Cornelius more?
The Apostle Peter “About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air.”—Acts 10:9-12, NRSV As with Cornelius, we are told about the time: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17). Praying at noon was familiar to Peter and his adherence to this discipline helps us see his untiring devotion to the will of God. His going up onto the roof for seclusion also accentuated this devotion. Then, as he was getting hungry, he “fell into a trance.” This trance was a “displacement of the mind” or a state of awe as in Luke 5:26 and Acts 3:10. The purpose of this trance was to completely focus Peter on the important instruction he was about to receive. Peter was probably in a humbled posture of prayer and stayed in that position throughout this experience. What is the difference between Peter’s trance and the experience of Cornelius? Perhaps it is that Cornelius had never had any spiritual experience before, whereas Peter had had previous visions. Because Peter would be called upon to recount this experience, a visual encounter was needed to give his hearers an added degree of understanding. This vision was already significant. Peter, completely focused on the matter at hand, saw the heavens open and a linen sheet was lowered from heaven to earth, carrying all manner of birds, animals, and creeping things. Certainly this was as unexpected an event as he could have imagined! But there was more: “Then he heard a voice saying, Get up, Peter; kill and eat” (Acts 10:13, NRSV). A heavenly voice called Peter by name and gave a three-part command: 1) Rise, indicating his humble posture; 2) Kill, an aggressive and unmistakable command; 3) Eat, a command completely contrary to what Peter had ever done. A command of this nature, seemingly without explanation, had never been issued to him before. It evoked a strong response: “Peter said, By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean” (Acts 10:14, NRSV). Peter’s instinctive reaction was one of great integrity. He wanted to protect the sacred commands of the Law because up to that time, there had never been a reason to disregard it. So the command was repeated: “The voice said to him again, a second time, What God has made clean, you must not call profane” (Acts 10:15, NRSV). This time the focus is on an explanation for that radical order. This additional command gave Peter context. While the thought was entirely new and certainly not impossible, yet it still was not completely understandable or even desirable. “This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven” (Acts 10:16, NRSV). The command was given three times, a significant number since Peter’s Christian life was a series of experiences with threes: w His calling to follow Jesus was in three parts (John 1:40-42; Mark 1:14-20; Luke 5:1-11). w He fell asleep three times while Jesus prayed in Gethsemane (Mark 14:37-42). w His denial of Jesus was in three parts (Matthew 26:69-75). w His responsibility to the flock was given to him in three parts (John 21:15-17). w Now, a command given three times was used to open the gospel to Gentiles! Although Peter did not understand the vision as he was experiencing it, everything soon became clear: “Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, Look, three men are searching for you. Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them. So Peter went down to the men and said, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” (Acts 10:17-21, NRSV). Peter is given clear instruction by the holy spirit: there are three men—this would get his attention!—looking for you; “go with them without hesitation.” Peter did just that. In comparing the two visions we see that Cornelius’ desire to worship God more fully was recognized and responded to by the Lord. Therefore, Cornelius was given instruction as to how to accomplish his intent. Cornelius’ faith was evident because he did what he was told to do. He sent for Peter and prepared for his coming by enthusiastically assembling family and friends. Upon Peter’s arrival he humbly received him (Acts 10:24-27). On the other hand, Peter was asked to be the first Jew to override the Law of Moses and carry the good news to non-Jews. He, too, was “obedient to the vision” as he not only entered the house of a Gentile, but also taught, baptized, and welcomed them as brethren of equal stature. Peter was courageous. God strengthened his courage three times. Here we have a wonderful and final lesson regarding the mercy of repetition. The Father knows our frame and may give us an experience multiple times: first to get our attention, next to help us ponder its meaning, and finally to provoke us to action. Let us be like Peter and Cornelius—obedient to the vision and willing to listen, ponder, and do the will of our Father with all our might, for the Messianic kingdom awaits us (Romans 8:22,19). |