It’s Complicated
Our very capable Sunday School teacher, Jim Nelson, was leading a discussion of Acts 9 through 11. Those chapters tell how the gospel moved from Judaism to Christianity. This passage reports the happenings of that momentous event. It reveals God’s ingenious involvement in human affairs. It is complicated. Let me outline it for you.
Peter was on a tour telling people about Jesus; he stopped in Lydda long enough to heal the bedridden Aeneas, then moved on to Joppa where he raised Tabitha/Dorcas from death.
Disciples in nearby Caesarea heard of Peter’s presence and sent for him. In Caesarea, an angel alerted Cornelius, a Roman Centurian and devout God-fearer, of Peter’s whereabouts and advised him to send for Peter.
Peter is at the house of Simon the Tanner---a no/no for Peter because Jews have no “truck” with those who touch the dead. Peter has a vision; a sheet descends with creatures “unclean” to Jews. God instructs Peter to “kill and eat.”
“No,” Peter responds, “ I don’t eat unclean food.”
“Don’t call what I create unclean,” God scolds. Messengers from Cornelius are now at the door, and Peter accompanies them to Cornelius’ home.
A crowd of Gentiles gather. Peter preaches to them the message of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit falls on them all. Peter “gets it.” The gospel is for all of God’s creatures. He proclaims, “Now I understand; God has no favorites; all who fear Him are acceptable.”
The Greeks had a word for this kind of complicated account. They called it a pregnant story. There are at least five key players in the story. It unfolds in more than four towns in a very pagan society. There is a demonstrative vision from God, two angels deliver messages, and then the climactic, surprising descent of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles in the presence of Peter, the other Jews, and the entire group.
Think about it! Without any knowledge on the part of the participants, God worked out this complicated event, and that opened the gospel to all the world.
As our Sunday School class concluded, I was wondering what yet untold plans God is making for me and you.
