Sunday
About noon the following day as they [the men sent by Cornelius] were approaching the city, Peter went up on the 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 something 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.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “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.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “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 went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.”
(Acts 10:9-28, NIV)
After the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, the disciples begin to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with great enthusiasm. They now testify by their words and actions that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the long hoped for “Prince of Peace.” They begin to live out the gospel with a fearless spirit which soon attracts considerable opposition from Jewish religious leaders.
One of the most powerful illustrations of what the gospel of peace means in practical terms is found in the early chapters of Acts. Luke records how the gospel of Jesus offers reconciliation among people despite racial and cultural differences. In the same way that Jesus freely offered salvation to the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar, as well as to her neighbors, the disciples now understand that the gospel is not just for Jews, but for all people. Societal prejudices that forbade communication or friendship with Gentiles (non-Jews) is to be ignored. The gospel of peace is a message of harmony and love without constraints.
The Apostle Philip goes to Samaria and preaches the gospel to people whom the Jews traditionally hate. He is soon joined by Peter and John and they all travel throughout Samaria preaching the message of peace (Acts 8:25). Philip also witnesses to an Ethiopian eunuch and tells him “the good news about Jesus” (8:35). Today’s verses record Peter’s vision in which God vividly illustrates how the gospel overcomes differences that divided people and keep them from hearing the truth about Jesus.
By accepting the three men sent by Cornelius into his house, an act contrary to Jewish practice of the day, Peter is making a bold statement about how the gospel is changing his behavior. He is becoming a peacemaker, a reconciler between people. Peter confesses that Jewish law prohibits Jews from associating with Gentiles, but his actions show that the gospel of peace is ushering in a new day for him and the other disciples.
Prayer
Almighty God, we praise you for offering the gift of eternal life to all people. We praise you for the testimony of Peter who is willing to act out the gospel of reconciliation by visiting Cornelius and his family, despite the cultural barriers of his day. Lord, give us the same fearless spirit to share your gospel even when we might be outside of our comfort zone. Amen.