Not Unclean or Common
(Read Acts 10)
Just when we think we’re good enough, God reminds us to think again. When we think we’re righteous enough, God shows us that, apart from our Savior Jesus Christ, we’re not. When we think we’re better, superior, or blessed over others, God points us to the truth. Acts 10 is a turning point for Gospel application in this world.
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
Acts 10:1-4
Throughout my life, I have witnessed, “My way or hit the highway.” I have seen this philosophy in school, in my workplace, in my community, in my friends, in my family, and even crumbs of it in my church. Cornelius was more than likely a man who was partly converted to Judaism. Essentially, he was a gentile (from a race who was not Jewish) who worshipped God. This chapter in Luke’s Book of Acts could have turned 180 degrees from this point.
In His perfect patience, God is graciously breaking us of our prejudices so that He can work through us. Through His angel, God could have explained the way of salvation directly to Cornelius and left Peter out of the loop entirely. Instead, he gave Cornelius instructions on how to contact Peter so that Peter could be “worked on.” Then, Peter could go and preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
Meanwhile, Peter also received a vision. As He often does, God was orchestrating massive changes on multiple people’s hearts simultaneously.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Acts 10:11-14
A few things in this passage amazed me. First of all, Peter’s initial rejection of God’s directive. This is vintage Peter, speaking before thinking. Remember, he’s saying no to God here. Secondly, that despite Peter’s eyewitness account of many supernatural experiences with Jesus, he still refused to violate the Old Testament Law in regards to clean and unclean animals. He was still so bound by obligation, guilt, and misunderstanding of the Jewish dietary laws, that he kind of missed the message of Jesus in our place. The laws of uncleanness weren’t wiped away by Jesus, but His sacrifice on the cross eliminated the need for those laws to be required.
In life and in divine revelations, God doesn’t always respond according to our timeline. In this vision, the response was not only timely, but it was emphasized. God responded with, I’m God and I’m telling you that it’s OK. Other translations of this vision use the words “impure.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Acts 10:14-15
Since Jesus has died, He removed the defilement for the whole human race, but Peter was obedient and literal in his understanding of God’s way. Even now, many churches still put so much emphasis on cultural and extra-biblical rituals and laws. We tend to do what “we’ve always done.” We keep doing what feels comfortable. Jesus didn’t die on the cross for us to feel comfortable. Sometimes, church rituals are so ingrained in our traditions, that we miss the God’s grace in their significance.
Make no mistake, there is right and wrong in our faith as followers of Christ. Tim Keller says, “All religions are exclusive, but Christianity is the most inclusive exclusivity there is.” The Christian faith teaches us that we’re not accepted by God because moral records, status, race, or other views. God’s salvation is a gift to all who will repent and receive it in humility and faith. So, we can’t earn our spot by anything other than our acceptance and faith. There are many other church “things” that are not required by God and are consequently not worthy of the strife they cause to a church family.
In our small group one night, the topic of Believers Baptisms vs. Infant Baptisms came up. While fascinating and profound, the discussion brought out some very intense feelings. It brought out some hurt too. At times, personal viewpoints overshadowed the love of our relationships with each other. There was some judgement and boundaries crossed. As rough as it was, we actually have all grown from this and are an extremely close group. I think we all learned something valuable from that night.
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But, God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Acts 10:27-29
Peter grew a lot from his experience with cultural and even racial understandings. He thought that he was doing right. He had believed and followed the rules about associating with a gentile (anyone who was not of the Jewish faith). Interestingly, in this chapter Peter didn’t feel comfortable mingling with gentiles until verse 25. He thought he was following God’s wishes but what he was missing was his viewing of others as unclean. What Peter was missing, was that the Gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles.
Sometimes we have a partial or even flawed understanding of Scripture. Sometimes, we then apply this sliver of truth incorrectly. It has been done throughout history. Man’s inhumanity to man has been going on since Adam and Eve. But some people claiming to be Christians have done equally horrible things.
It’s critically important to understand God’s meaning behind Scripture. Hermeneutics is one way. As a rule, Scripture is always the best interpreter of Scripture. Biblical hermeneutics protect us from misusing and misapplying Scripture.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
Acts 10:34-35
The Message translation quotes Peter as saying that, “God has just shown me that no race is better than any other.” In Genesis 11, mankind gathered together as one. They were one culture, in one place, speaking one language. So what did they do? They built a tower to declare mankind’s greatness. So what did God do? He created separate new cultures and languages from them. In Jesus’ salvation, God’s purpose is to bring us back together.
Peter’s speech clearly demonstrated that God does not play favorites with nations (races). To fear God doesn’t mean to be afraid of Him. It means to be in awe of Him and His power. It means to accept His gift of grace. It’s a conversion whether as a child or an adult. We learn from Peter that Christian conversion is not about morality or religion. It is a challenge to morality and religion. Conversion can only happen by the transformation of the Holy Spirit.
Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:47-48
In society, in churches, and throughout the world, our divisions will once again, be brought back together in Christ. This coming together speaks to the sheer power of the Gospel. We will finally see an end to this separation in Revelation 5 where people from every tribe, language, and nation will be united in praising God.
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Ephesians 3:6
Key Applications:
- Should every Christian be seeking to reach those who are culturally different or is this just the gift of some? I believe that both is an appropriate response. What do you think?
- Have you ever looked at others’ customs or cultures as inferior and not just different? What can you do to change this mindset or even behavior in yourself? Read Acts 10. Pray. What did Peter learn from his vision from God?
- As a follower of Christ, allow others into your heart. For now, we are separate but equal. One day, we will once again worship God in one voice. Pray that the hope of this promise will change your outlook on others and will light your steps on your darkest of days.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.