[Tues, 11 June] Acts 10:9-22 (721 words; 4/17)

Cornelius has had a vision, and now Peter has one. This vision is of vast importance, and the statement “What God has made clean, you must not call profane” is given three times. It is impossible for us, in our time and culture, to appreciate the revulsion Peter would have felt at seeing these animals and being told to eat them (note one). It would help somewhat if we could, because it would in turn help us to understand the enormity of what God was about to do in pouring out the Spirit on the Gentiles. And it would help us understand better the continuing opposition to the Gospel (especially in Paul's ministry), as it contained not only the absurdity of a crucified Messiah but the unthinkable justification of the nations—and the final twist of the knife would be the teaching that Jews would be cast out whilst Gentiles are brought in!! On a purely human level it would make no sense at all.

Again we see the direction of the Holy Spirit in His mission. He has told Cornelius to send three men to Peter. He has prepared Peter with the vision (which he will only later fully comprehend). Now he tells Peter that three men are looking for him, and that he is to go with them without hesitation, for He has sent them. The Spirit does not reveal what this is all about, however. Peter must simply obey—I am sure that he will not have put two and two together, the vision and what the men tell him in v. 22. What comes next would have been beyond anticipation. 

Again, from our far remove, we miss the social tensions in this passage. The house of Simon the Tanner is larger than normal for it has a gate, at which the men stand (cf. 12:12-14). Thus he probably has some money (note two). Also, note that the messengers stand at the gate and call out (vv. 17-18). They are sensitive to Jewish scruples, and do not go straight in and up to the door, as presumably they had the authority to do so. Their knowledge Peter will affirm, when he will say to Cornelius in v. 28 that "You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile..." There were some, however, who would eat with Gentiles if the food was clean. Peter will invite them in and give them lodging (v. 23), but unusual factors are at play: first, the Holy Spirit is clearly doing something. As we shall see in tomorrow's reading, when Peter initially speaks to Cornelius and those gathered with him (vv. 27-28), he gives the reason for coming as the thrice-spoken statement in his own vision. This much has allowed him to be in the company of Gentiles. But Peter still does not know why he has been invited (v. 29), thus showing he does not see where God is going with all this. The second factor in play is Jesus' own ministry: even though they did not go to the Gentiles, Peter will have seen Jesus act in surprising ways with people. He operated with a power that, rather than running the risk of being contaminated, actually cleansed those around him (see esp Lk 5:8!). Also, Jesus proclaimed that what really makes a man 'unclean' is not what goes into him but what comes out i.e. the condition of his heart. Mark adds the note, "Thus he declared all foods clean." (Mk 7:19). At some point Peter must have remembered that as he gradually came to appreciate the depths of the salvation at work in his Master.

(1) Not all are unclean, however. It must be significant that the sheet contains a mixture of the clean and unclean—a symbol of the mixed nature of the Church? 

 (2) Such details are cause for reflection on the role of wealth in mission: Jesus was supported by women who had money; apostles and missionaries could be hosted and themselves host in larger houses, as Peter will do here; churches met in the large homes of wealthy Christians; there were the collections for famine relief which Paul organised; it may even be that Luke has written his Gospel and Acts for a patron (Theophilus).