0127. Peter's Vision

Peter’s Vision

"He * * saw Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, * *

"Wherein were all manner of fourfooted 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" (Act_10:11-13).

1. When the great persecution came about Stephen, and when the Christians were scattered abroad, except the Apostles, one can almost see Peter as he goes up to the housetop to pray. His heart is heavy for the Church at Jerusalem; he feels very keenly the fact that the Church is nigh to be broken up by the fact that so many of the saints have been driven from their homes.

We can almost hear Peter pray: "Lord, this is a trying time. So many of the believers have gone. I wonder what is their lot? Oh, Father, protect them and keep them as the apple of Thine eye." Then Peter, perhaps, told the Lord how they all might flee, but that he would stay by the old ship; he was ready to die, if need be.

Alas, how hard it is for God to get some of us awake to our duty. Peter should have been gone long ago, for he was told to "tarry in Jerusalem" only until Pentecost had come, and then he was to go on, and on, and on, preaching the Gospel in other lands. But, Peter did not go.

2. Cornelius of Caesarea, a centurion of the Italian band, a man who feared God, and gave much alms to the people, and prayed always, had seen a vision, and behold an angel appeared and told him to send to Joppa for Peter, who would tell him what he ought to do. Joppa was not far from Jerusalem.

After God had given commandment to Cornelius to send for Peter, He, in His marvelous way began to prepare the heart of Peter to answer the summons and to go to Cornelius’ help. Peter was now at Joppa, in prayer, as we described above. He doubtless was pleading for the Church in Jerusalem and pledging himself to stand by the work. Then, the vessel, as a great sheet, filled with all manner of beasts, and creeping things, and fowls, unclean to a Jew, was let down before Peter and the command was given to "Rise, * * kill, and eat". Peter, of course, protested; but again the voice spake unto him, saying: "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common".

While Peter was doubting what the vision might mean, there was a knock at the door and the men from Caesarea had come. Then the Spirit said unto Peter: "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, * * for I have sent them".

Peter obeyed and went, and when he came to the house of Cornelius, he related his vision, and said: "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him".

At last Peter had caught the true vision of the heart of God toward the lost; but it took a great persecution, followed by the vision of the net, let down from Heaven, to convince him. May none of us be so blinded to the real meaning of the words; "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature".

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR