Basic HTML Version
Ministry of Peter
223
it is done in heaven. Peter had not yet preached the gospel to the
Gentiles. Many of them had been interested listeners to the truths
which he taught; but the middle wall of partition, which the death of
Christ had broken down, still existed in the minds of the apostles,
and excluded the Gentiles from the privileges of the gospel. The
Greek Jews had received the labors of the apostles, and many of
them had responded to those efforts by embracing the faith of Jesus;
but the conversion of Cornelius was to be the first one of importance
among the Gentiles.
By the vision of the sheet and its contents, let down from heaven,
Peter was to be divested of his settled prejudices against the Gen-
tiles; to understand that, through Christ, heathen nations were made
partakers of the blessings and privileges of the Jews, and were to be
thus benefited equally with them. Some have urged that this vision
was to signify that God had removed His prohibition from the use of
the flesh of animals which he had formerly pronounced unclean; and
that therefore swines’ flesh was fit for food. This is a very narrow
and altogether erroneous interpretation, and is plainly contradicted
in the Scriptural account of the vision and its consequences.
The vision of all manner of live beasts, which the sheet contained,
and of which Peter was commanded to kill and eat, being assured
that what God had cleansed should not be called common or unclean
by him, was simply an illustration presenting to his mind the true
position of the Gentiles; that by the death of Christ they were made
fellow heirs with the Israel of God. It conveyed to Peter both reproof
and instruction. His labors had heretofore been confined entirely to
the Jews; and he had looked upon the Gentiles as an unclean race,
and excluded from the promises of God. His mind was now being
[286]
led to comprehend the world-wide extent of the plan of God.
Even while he pondered over the vision, it was explained to him.
“Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had
seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius
had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, and
called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were
lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto
him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise, therefore, and get thee
down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.”