Blog post from Ps Stephen Lewin originally posted here for Voice in the City.
From ACTS 10
CORNELIUS HAS A VISION
Cornelius, a Roman centurion was head of a household , and “prayed continually to God “ (Acts 10:2b AmpC ), had vision of an Angel giving him instructions to send for Peter “to come to his house “ (Acts 10:22 ff AmpC ) , to hear what Peter had “been instructed by the Lord to say”. (Acts 10 :33b AmpC )
PETER HAS A VISION
Peter, while praying on a roof, has a vision of a great sheet lowered from heaven , containing all kinds of animals, birds etc , and the Lord said to Peter “Rise up, Peter , kill and eat.” (Acts 10 :13b Ampc) . Peter told the Lord that he could not eat things common and unclean. He saw the sheet lowered three times , and did not know what this vision meant ,but meditated on it.
Then Peter is instructed by the Holy Spirit to go with men that Cornelius had sent. Peter is told he is sent to go to Cornelius’ house and speak what he was told to say . Peter had to overcome restrictions by the Jewish people not to eat with non Jews. For he said to Cornelius “how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean “ (Acts 10 :28b) NKJV). From this encounter we can learn not to have prejudice in regard to ministering the Gospel to others, regardless of their race or creed.
PETER RECOGNISES GOSPEL FOR ALL PEOPLE
Peter speaks and says that he now recognises God shows no favouritism , in respect to every nation, and that all who respond to Jesus Christ and “believes in Him will receive remission of sins .“ Acts 10:43 NKJV) The Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and all at his house causing for Peter to have them baptised as he could see they were filled with Holy Spirit like they were on day of Pentecost. They were accepted by God as much as the Jews.
From Acts Chapter 10 we see the gospel is go to all people , as was promised by Jesus Christ, and that we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to share this message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.(Acts 1:8 NKJV)
We, as followers of Jesus Christ, can learn from the vision that Peter had ,that we be open to take this Gospel to all, through the opportunities that present themselves . For this is the command that Jesus gave to take the Gospel to every people group (Matthew 24:24 NKJV).
Therefore , let us pray for all people , even for those who differ from us , as our Lord is wanting us to pray for all people , as He is wanting all to be saved , and know the Truth , Jesus Christ , as He is the only one Who can save. (i Timothy 2:1-6) .
References
Amplified Classic , Zondervan
New King James Version
