Devotion for Friday 1 July 2011 Anno Domini Acts 10:14-30

Devotion for Friday 1 July 2011 Anno Domini Acts 10:14-30

“24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And 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. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 And 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. 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send 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. 33 Immediately 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.” (Acts 10:31-33)

In yesterday’s devotion, I suggested that the lowering of the beasts in a vision to Peter had nothing to do with the food laws. Perhaps I can clarify that claim by stating that it had nothing to do with a ‘revision’ of the food laws per se’, but rather used the food laws as an example to Peter of what Peter, himself, had previously considered unclean, that is, to be not so, but declared clean by God. This alluded to the Gentile nations which Peter, and all other Jews, considered to be outside the blessing of God. There would no longer be a “wall of separation” between the Jewish Christian and Gentile Christian in worship – all must come alike to God the Father through God the Son. The fact that the vision was making reference to the Gentiles and not food per se’ is revealed in the continuing narrative.
“And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea.” Peter travels with the three guides as agreed the next day to Caesarea where Cornelius was waiting with his friends and kinsmen of like mind. “And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.”
“And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.” Cornelius may have considered Peter somehow less human and more divine than others of the human race. He recognized in Peter a man different from all others he had ever met because of the power of Christ which Peter demonstrated through faith; however, no mere man is worthy of worship or high reverence - even apostles whether living or dead. How would the worship or reverence of a stone statue of an apostle make them any more worthy of worship as some Roman’s do today? If there is any element in our nature that makes us appear good, it is the imputed and practiced nature of Christ. It is Christ, therefore, that deserves the worship. “But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” When we see men today bowing to statues of saints, or to bishops, we know that they have added an ungodly element to worship.
“And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.” When a man has discovered a great treasure which may be freely had, it is natural that he would share the treasure with his friends and family. We have fallen upon the Gospel and discovered greater benefit therein to our souls than anything the world can offer. It is free and therefore abundantly available to all who believe. Have we called many of our friends, neighbors, and family together, as has Cornelius, to share in the blessing we have?
“And 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 recognizes here the meaning of the vision of the diverse beasts. It was unlawful (through the tradition of the elders) for Peter, as a Jew, to keep company or make friends with a man of any nation other than that of the Jews. In the company before him, toward which Peter demonstrates great respect, there are men of deep and sincere faith though limited it may be in knowledge.
“Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?” Peter did not understand completely his purpose in coming, but he refuses to question the vision which he has received of God. He knows, instinctively, that God has a great purpose for his coming to this assembly of Gentiles. He did not question the intent of those men who came for him at Joppa. Now that he has arrived at the destined time and place, he asks the intent of them.
“And 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.” This will further alert Peter to the purpose of his own vision. The time sequence fits perfectly to that of Peter’s vision. The Centurion had a vision at the ninth hour (3 PM) four days ago. The next day (day two), Cornelius sends his messengers for Peter. “….on the morrow Peter went away with them” (day three) and, “And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea” (day four). So Peter knows that his own vision is related to that of Cornelius. The diverse beast did not represent unclean foods, but the nations of the Gentiles. (including this present company).
Cornelius relates his vision to Peter: “And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.” The fasting of Cornelius has also led to earnest prayer. His prayer has been heard and all the kindnesses his has performed for others are known of God and kept on safe deposit in Heaven.
“Send 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.” Now Peter has heard the whole of the vision. He is left with all necessary detail to comprehend the vision of God to him.
“ Immediately 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.” Being a military officer, the Centurion is not slothful when orders are issued. He acts with immediate dispatch, especially in view of the High Authority of the Issuing Headquarters (God). He is telling Peter: “We are prayerful people, though Gentiles and we have heard from God who has honored our prayers and sent us a vision and a promise. We have complied with His Command and have done so implicitly. Now we are all gathered here before God to hear whatever further command God may command us through you, Peter, his servant. They did not await Peter’s command, but the command of God through Peter. There are many false Peter’s just as there are many false Christs. We must exercise informed discretion in proving all things preached to be in accordance with Holy Scripture. In this way, no man can deceive us even if he does appear as an Angel of Light. (2 Cor 11:14) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thess 5:21) Are you, dear friend, an eagle or an oyster? An eagle challenges the elements and the heights. He searches diligently for his food and he must often fight to get it. He is also very selective in what he eats. The oyster, on the other hand, lies at the bottom of the sea. He exerts no effort in obtaining his food. He simply opens his shell and consumes whatever enters in of its own accord. He is not selective and he is not industrious to find good nutrition. What is your approach to the Gospel? Do you diligently seek out your bread in God’s Word from the heights, or do you simply lie in front of your TV and consume whatever is dished out by some tin-horned evangelist seeking to enrich his pockets at the expense of truth?