https://vimeo.com/101588991 Yesterday I shared a story about visiting a kosher home, where they asked no food to enter that they hadn’t bought, just to be sure no one would make their home, or family, “unclean”. These laws are found in the OT part of the Bible, a Bible that Christians say is the word of God.  So why don’t Christians follow these rules? This kind of question is more impomrtant than you think.  So many vocal opponents of Christianity will object to Christian moral teaching on these grounds.  They’ll ask, “How can you claim to be following the Bible’s laws when you eat bacon, don’t wear hats in worship, etc.? This is nothing new, it’s something the very first Christians had to figure out, because at the very beginning, all of them were Jewish. Jesus, his disciples, Paul, and many of the early converts.  They were already following the Jewish dietary laws, and when they because Christian, they likely just carried on.  They knew no other way of life, they didn’t know the delicious taste of bacon they were missing. It’s not something they decided on their own, it all happened because Peter had a vision one day, and went where he was called to go: to a non-Jew, or Gentile named Cornelius.

[10:1] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, [2] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. [3] About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” [4] And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” [7] When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, [8] and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. [9] The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. [10] And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance [11] and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” [14] But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” [15] And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” [16] This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. [17] 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 [18] and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. [19] And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. [20] Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” [21] And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” [22] And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole 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.” [23] So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. [24] And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. [28] And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. (Acts 10:1-28 ESV)

Cornelius was a God-fearer, a non-Jew who was studying Judaism and considering becoming a Jew.  He knew the Jewish Old Testament stories, probably even about Jesus.  He was well prepared for what he heard from Peter, and willing to respond when God’s vision gave him instructions to reach out to Peter. Peter has a vision, too.  Sheet had food, including unclean food, i.e. pork.    Delicious picnic blanket, but he knew he wasn’t allowed to touch any of it.  But God clearly said, you’re living by my rules.  I told you before not to eat these things, but now I am.  Normally this should be a red flag!  We could wonder if this was hallucination, manipulation, etc.  But in this case it was God’s plan, and there are some clues here. Question: What indications does the story give that this is God’s plan, and not just a coincidence or mistake? Meeting with a Group?  Your discussion questions are in this week’s Group Study Guide [permalink append=”#comments”]Discuss the Challenge[/permalink]