As we saw in part one, Cornelius was a godly man. And the Lord heard his prayer and sent an angel to instruct Cornelius to contact Peter. We saw that God answers prayers in different ways. The answer to this prayer was through a man.
Acts 10:7-16 7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
One thing you must realize is that if God is gracious enough to give you an answer to your prayer, the least you can do is obey his word.
If you have a need and God directs you to do so and so, you need to obey and do so immediately. Cornelius had a need and God supplied that need. Cornelius did not question or argue with God he simply obeyed.
9On 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: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certainvessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Unlike Cornelius, Peter had some preconceived ideas and Old Testament scripture to back up his refusal to eat.
Leviticus 11:41-47 41And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. 42Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. 43Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. 44For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. 46This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: 47To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
Four footed beasts, wild beast, creeping things, all unclean and according to Leviticus 11:41-47 would defile Peter.
What would you do if you were faced with this problem?
On one hand, you have the written word telling you one thing and on the other you have a vision. A revelation which could be just your mind playing tricks on you telling you to do the direct opposite.
Acts 10:17-20 17Now 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, 18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Peter knew enough about revelation to ponder what God was showing him. He didn't quite understand all that was going on. However, he just kept walking. And here we have another valuable lesson. I often tell people "You won't know what's around the corner until you start walking". Many times God will reveal truth to you as you are obedient to act. You may not have all the pieces of the puzzle. As long as you stay faithful and keep walking sooner or later you will begin to understand.
Learn to stand on what you do know. Act on what you do know and God will fill in the blanks as you remain faithful.
Acts 10:21-23 21Then 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? 22And 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. 23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter was already beginning to catch a glimmer of what God was beginning to do. It says he lodged then in verse 23. Later on you will see that a Jew didn't do these type of things.
Acts 10:24-28 24And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Peter reproved Cornelius for falling down to worship him. Again we see the heart of a servant here in Peter. Peter was there to serve not be served.
Acts 10:29-34 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Peter now is beginning to understand the meaning of the vision.
Acts 10:35-46 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter...
What an exciting time it must have been! Peter stayed on course in spite of what he believed.
Peter was willing to change and move ahead for God. It wasn't an easy decision to make.
Everything seemed to be stacked against him. However, he quietly sought God's guidance and direction and then he acted on it.
Peter's lesson was progressive. God gave him a little and as he acted on that God gave him more. This should speak loudly to ears who want to know God. Don't be so stuck in your preconceived, prejudged ideas that you are unwilling to change for God. Especially a leader. If Peter quoted the word in Leviticus 11 God would have found someone else to get the job done. And Peter would have missed out. Think about it. The first gentile to become born again and speak with other tongues. And all of you reading this issue can thank God that Peter was willing to listen and obey. For you all came to the church the same way Cornelius did.
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation, NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to the Works Cited page.