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timewithgod.blog-city.com — September 2010
Acts 10 -- "NO, Lord!" Is A Contradiction In Terms
One of the most significant post-crucifixion events for ‘Gentiles like us' occurred in this chapter. Up to this time, having a Jewish heritage meant everything so far as being heaven-bound. All the rest were Gentiles (non-Jews).
One of the most significant post-crucifixion events for ‘Gentiles like us' occurred in this chapter. Up to this time, having a Jewish heritage meant everything so far as being heaven-bound. All the rest were Gentiles (non-Jews). Any non-Jew who wanted salvation had to become a Jewish proselyte, agree to adhere to the myriad of unkeepable Jewish laws, and then pretty much find satisfaction in the role of a spiritual step-child - not fully accepted but recognized as a part of the family.
God begins a new era by speaking to an Italian soldier, directing him to send for Simon Peter. At the same time, Peter is having a dream whereby God lowers a sheet from heaven containing both ritually clean and unclean animals. He tells Peter to rise up and eat anything in the sheet. Possibly feeling like he's being tested for faithfulness, Peter gives the "Sunday School" answer, which should ring alarm bells, since it is also not a Christian answer: "NO, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unclean or unholy!" Three times this dream reoccurred. Peter found himself in the unenviable position of saying, "NO, Lord!" three times! With "Lord" meaning "Boss of your life", how could "no" possibly proceed it? Peter could tell something wasn't quite right, and God validated his feelings by saying, "God has made these things CLEAN so don't call them "unholy"!" Peter seemed to forget that God MADE the rules and He can change them.
Peter soon discovered that God wasn't just changing the rules on Jewish dietary restrictions. For after he'd spoken to the people in Cornelius' home, the Holy Spirit descended upon them and filled them all. It was validation for Peter that salvation was for everyone, not just Jews. What a wonderful disclosure! Peter didn't argue. His three "No, Lord" answers represented the end of his wrong-headed thinking, and opened the doors for non-Jews like me to get to heaven!
Father, thank You for such grace. Thank You for calling those of us who weren't Your people, "Your people". Thanks for opening the way to heaven for everyone, including me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
God begins a new era by speaking to an Italian soldier, directing him to send for Simon Peter. At the same time, Peter is having a dream whereby God lowers a sheet from heaven containing both ritually clean and unclean animals. He tells Peter to rise up and eat anything in the sheet. Possibly feeling like he's being tested for faithfulness, Peter gives the "Sunday School" answer, which should ring alarm bells, since it is also not a Christian answer: "NO, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unclean or unholy!" Three times this dream reoccurred. Peter found himself in the unenviable position of saying, "NO, Lord!" three times! With "Lord" meaning "Boss of your life", how could "no" possibly proceed it? Peter could tell something wasn't quite right, and God validated his feelings by saying, "God has made these things CLEAN so don't call them "unholy"!" Peter seemed to forget that God MADE the rules and He can change them.
Peter soon discovered that God wasn't just changing the rules on Jewish dietary restrictions. For after he'd spoken to the people in Cornelius' home, the Holy Spirit descended upon them and filled them all. It was validation for Peter that salvation was for everyone, not just Jews. What a wonderful disclosure! Peter didn't argue. His three "No, Lord" answers represented the end of his wrong-headed thinking, and opened the doors for non-Jews like me to get to heaven!
Father, thank You for such grace. Thank You for calling those of us who weren't Your people, "Your people". Thanks for opening the way to heaven for everyone, including me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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