Peter has seen a mysterious vision from God and has heard a clear command three times: “What God has made clean, do not call common.” Thinking that this applies only to the “unclean” foods that came down from heaven in a sheet, Peter is shocked:
“Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them’” (Ac 10:17-20).
Peter is smart enough to realize that this vision from God may have a deeper meaning than just types of food that are permissible to eat. But just as he begins thinking about what the deeper meaning might be, there is a “knock on the door” – in local terms, a shout from the gate. So Peter goes down to meet them at the gate. Knowing that the Spirit has commanded him to go with them, he wants to know a little more before going with them on a journey:
“And Peter went down to the men and said, ‘I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?’ And they said, ‘Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.’ So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he arose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him” (Ac 10:21-23).
Peter’s obedience is a direct indication of his perfect unity with God, something that was very much in question before Jesus was crucified. Now, Peter is acting much more like the rock that Jesus intended him to be, the firm foundation of the Christian church. Peter has offered overnight hospitality to these Gentiles strangers, even as he realizes he is going to speak to Gentiles in Caesarea.
And what does Peter have to say? We will see that soon, but for now, you can bet if it is Peter, it is about the resurrection of Jesus!
Eventually, this will be looked back on as the moment when perfect unity among the apostles would become an absolute necessity.
Perfect unity is not only vertical between you and God; it must also be horizontal between you and your brothers and sisters of all humanity, even if at times it is a one-way street.
The story of Cornelius and Peter continues. Hurry back!