Peter's vision
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter
was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised,
and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I
was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet,
let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered,
and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying
unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into
my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done
three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the
house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren
accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and
said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and
all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered
I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch
then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand
God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted
repentance unto life.
(Acts 11:1-18)
Praise the Lord! God in his wisdom and mercy extended his saving grace to the gentiles.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 10:32)
Until this point in time the Christian Church was comprised only of Jews and gentiles that had converted. When the brethren
of the church heard of Peters trip to Joppa and preaching to the gentiles they were very upset. Peter in his wisdom knew that
he would probably be in hot water with his brethren back in Judea so he rehearsed his experience over and over. God had used
a vision of food to show him that while the law had forbade Jews to eat certain foods, Jesus had fulfilled the requirements
of the law and now he could eat a variety of food; by Jesus fulfilling the requirements of the law the Gospel was now available
for everyone. How soon they had forgotten the last words of Jesus.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:18-20
All Nations! I now say to you, have you and I forgotten the great commission?
Tell people of all nations what Jesus means to you, or have you forgotten what Jesus did for you?
16/2008