Slices
Prepare
Pray that as you read you may be prepared to see things from a different perspective.
Bible passage
17 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. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’
21 Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?’
22 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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.’ 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius’ house
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?’
30 Cornelius answered: ‘Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, “Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.” 33 So I sent for you immediately, and 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.’
Explore
If you are anything like me there will be times when you know something but find it hard to put it into practice. Peter is in a similar position. The vision had started him thinking, but now he has to work it out. There is a lot at stake. He is being called to do something that goes against everything he believes. He knows he will face criticism from others. Nevertheless, he is obedient to God’s call without knowing exactly where it will lead. That requires a lot of faith. Sometimes we will have to step out not knowing where it will end but trusting God to work out his purposes.
Peter is discovering that the old divisions have gone. A careful reading of the Old Testament would have told him that God’s promise was to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:1–3), that the stranger was to be welcomed and accepted (Leviticus 19:34; Numbers 9:14). God’s love extends to the whole world (John 3:16). We humans have a natural tendency to erect barriers. To exclude those who are not like us. Any such barriers, based on things like age, social standing or ethnic origin, have no place in the life or mission of the church.
Respond
Where do we put up walls that exclude some people? What might make people feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in your church? Pray that your church will always extend a welcome to all.
Deeper Bible study
Lord, keep us open to the voice of the Spirit and willing to break new ground.
The second act in our drama covers verses 9–23a (we will pick the story up from verse 23b tomorrow). This act we can describe as The Reluctant Missionary. We are taken to Joppa, where we earlier left the apostle Peter lodging ‘with a tanner named Simon’.1 That little detail is important, because the tanner’s trade, being associated with death, was regarded as unclean. Peter has taken a small step beyond his comfort zone before confronting the challenge to come.
There is an obvious parallel between this scene and the previous one in that, like Cornelius, Peter is at prayer and, like him, receives a response from heaven. However, unlike Cornelius, three times Peter cannot accept the divine instruction, and he utters the contradictory response: ‘Surely not, Lord!’ (vs 14,16). The vision of clean and unclean animals was an illustration of the cultural and social implications of the cross of Jesus, removing barriers which prevented table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles. Peter’s mission to the spiritually hungry Cornelius cannot happen unless he is able to receive fresh light and overcome his reluctance to enter Gentile space. Notice the providential timing of the knock on the door (vs 17,18). Peter’s struggle will be resolved by meeting actual people sent from Cornelius, although his initial response in verse 21 is surely a further example of Luke’s sense of humour!
Justo Gonzalez comments: we are now the people who have ‘laws, rules and principles that … run the risk of being obstacles to our mission … We often limit our circle of contacts, so that we are always among believers and avoid rubbing shoulders with those who do not believe as we do’.2
Consider the change that is needed if God’s mission is to reach the world as it is today.
1 Acts 9:43 2 Justo Gonzalez, Acts: Gospel of the Spirit, Orbis Books, 2001, p135
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Chronicles 21–23; Ephesians 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Local Mission Partner The Wave, working with young people in Swanage through the mentoring scheme in the local secondary schools. They also run clubs which include an open mic night, Bible study group and Christian Unions. Pray that they can make deep and lasting connections.
