Verse 15: “And a voice again, a second time to him, said, ‘What God has cleansed you do not call unclean.’”

What God has cleansed you do not call unclean: God is correcting a wrong understanding that Peter has. If God has cleansed something it is no longer unclean.

Note: The intent of this passage is not about whether or not we can eat pork. This passage has far greater significance than this.

1. The first problem was this: there was something that was unclean, but it was not common. It would have been acceptable, but because of some wrong it was rendered unclean.

2. The second problem was that although God had cleansed it Peter still thought of it as unclean.

What is this that was unclean but not common? The answer is found within the context. Cornelius, a Gentile man. One of the rulings of Judaism, an oral law and not a law found in the law of Moses, was that a Jewish man was forbidden to go into the house of a Gentile. These oral laws are traditions of man and were often put together and mixed in with the laws of Moses. They were/are adhered
to as if they were/are Biblical laws.

Messiah was doing two things here:

1. Reaffirming His call to Israel – to be a blessing to the nations (Gentiles) – Genesis 12v3

2. Telling Peter to not believe the lie that Gentiles were unclean, and that he could not have fellowship with them. Israel’s purpose was not to be separated from the Gentiles, but to minister to them and take truth to them – so that they too could be full members in the family of God.

Verse 16: “And this came about a third time, and again this vessel was taken up into the heaven.”

Third time: The number 3 is for the purpose of revelation. What is God wanting to reveal? That we can eat anything we want? No! Not freedom from food consumption, but freedom from sin. This message is for ALL people – in an equal manner. It was for the Jew first, but is now also for the Gentile. Through this vision, God was commissioning Peter, not to kill animals in order to eat them but, to take the gospel to the nations. Peter was unqualified to slaughter animals for sacrifice, and did not feel called or qualified to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Through this vision God called Peter, ordained Peter, and qualified him for the task.

Verse 17: “And as in himself he (Peter) was confused on what this vision was. As he was ponder

ing these things behold the men that were sent from Cornelius were inquiring of Simon’s house. And they stood at the gate”

Simon’s house: Simon the Tanner

Verse 18: “They were calling and asking if Simon, the one who is called Peter, was lodging there.”

Verse 19: “Peter was thinking concerning this vision and the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you.’”

Three men: 3 again, for the purpose of revelation coming to Peter. This passage is NOT about food, but it is about the appropriateness of the gospel for all people – Jew and Gentile alike. God wants all people to become one people – His people. Through the forgiveness of sins, by the grace of God, through the gospel message that speaks of the all-sufficient, perfect work of redemption – Messiah Yeshua

Verse 20: “But stand up, go down, and go with them and do not contend with them – because I have sent them.”

Do not contend: Do not argue with them.

Verse 21: “Peter went down to the men that were sent by Cornelius to him. He said, ‘Behold I am whom you are seeking. For what reason is it on account of which that you have come?’”

For what reason: Peter knows that he must go with them and he knows that God is at work here. But he does not understand yet the reason why they were there. (The reason was to take the message of the gospel to the Gentiles. This was revolutionary at that time.)

Verse 22: “They said, ‘Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and fearing God of all the world – of the nations of the Jews he has a testimony by them. He received a divine proclamation, by a holy angel, to send for you to come into his house, that he should hear the words from you.’”

Righteous man and fearing God: When we fear God we will live righteously.

Hear the words from you: In his trance, God had told Peter to rise up to do something. God commissioned Peter to be a servant (like those priests who served to ritually slaughter animals to sacrifice them to God), but Peter’s commission was to go to the Gentiles whom Judaism had said were unclean.

Verse 23: “Therefore entering with them he brought them in for to lodge. On the next day Peter went out with them, and certain ones of the brothers of Jaffa.”

He brought them in for to lodge: Peter gave these three men a place to stay for the night.

Certain ones of the brothers: Some believers, who lived in Jaffa, also went with him to Caesarea. They heard this testimony and wanted to participate in the things of God.