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The Story of Redemption
and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with
one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee
what thou oughtest to do.”
Here again God showed His regard for the gospel ministry, and
for His organized church. His angel was not the one to tell the story
of the cross to Cornelius. A man, subject as himself to human frail-
ties and temptations, was to instruct him concerning the crucified,
risen, and ascended Saviour. The heavenly messenger was sent for
the express purpose of putting Cornelius in connection with the
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minister of God, who would teach him how he and his house could
be saved.
Cornelius was gladly obedient to the message, and sent mes-
sengers at once to seek out Peter, according to the directions of the
angel. The explicitness of these directions, in which was even named
the occupation of the man with whom Peter was then making his
home, evidences that Heaven is well acquainted with the history
and business of men in every grade of life. God is cognizant of the
daily employment of the humble laborer, as well as of that of the
king upon his throne. And the avarice, cruelty, secret crimes, and
selfishness of men are known to him, as well as their good deeds,
charity, liberality, and kindness. Nothing is hidden from God.
Peter’s Vision
Immediately after this interview with Cornelius the angel went
to Peter, who, very weary and hungry from journeying, was praying
on the housetop. While praying he was shown a vision, “and saw
heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had
been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild
beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
“And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But
Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is
common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second
time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was
done thrice: and the vessel was received again into heaven.”
Here we may perceive the workings of God’s plan to set the
machinery in motion, whereby His will may be done on earth as
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