BIBLE IN TEN

Acts 11:14

Monday, 31 October 2022
 
who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ Acts 11:14
 
Peter’s previous words were citing what he was told by Cornelius. He had seen an angel in his house who directed him to call for Simon Peter who was in Joppa. Now, Peter continues relaying Cornelius’ words, saying, “who will tell you words.”
 
Peter is being called to specifically speak to Cornelius. One might wonder why the angel didn’t just tell him what he needed to know, but that would be overlooking the purpose and intent of Acts. Acts is given to show how the early church was established. It was also given to confirm the message and authority of the apostles. Peter was given a particular position among the apostles which was to verify those who were accepted into the church.
 
In other words, a plan had been set forth, the parameters were laid out in advance, and the gospel was being proclaimed within those parameters. As for Peter speaking to Cornelius, it is exactly that “by which you and all your household will be saved.”
 
The words of Peter were to be the good news of salvation, the gospel. Upon conveying them, those who believed would be saved. As for the term, “you and all your household,” this does not mean that Cornelius’ salvation would lead directly to the salvation of his household as if his faith was sufficient to cover everyone.
 
Rather, this is a new line of thought not directly introduced in chapter 10. There, it said –
 
“Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” Acts 10:5, 6 
 
However, it said this previously –
 
“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household.” Acts 10:1, 2
 
The family was already a family that feared God. The saving of the household spoken of now is a salvation that was based upon the faith they already possessed. It just needed to be directed properly towards the One whom God had offered for this very purpose, meaning Jesus Christ.
 
This will be similar to the account in chapter 16 where Paul says something similar to the jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). After saying this, it then says, “Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 16:34).
 
Paul and Silas were not telling him that his salvation would result in their salvation, but that the necessary condition for any of them was to believe. Those who did, meaning all his household, were saved.
 
Life application: Since the Bible’s completion, there is now a way that man is saved that has been detailed in Scripture itself. We are to go out and tell others about Jesus. In hearing the word, and in believing that word, people will be saved.
 
This is explicitly stated in various verses, such as Romans 10:14-17 and elsewhere. As this is so, and as this is God’s word, there should be no reason to believe any story where someone claims that the message was conveyed any other way. Visitations by Jesus, angels, or any other such thing are not now how God tells us about salvation. It does not come through dreams or visions. Rather, it comes through people getting out and doing what the word instructs us to do.
 
It is our right, our responsibility, and our honor to convey this word to others. Don’t suppose that God will “get the message to them some other way.” You are the means of getting it to them if you are obedient to the word. If not you, then who? Be willing to speak!
 
Glorious God almighty, thank You for the simplicity of the gospel. We don’t have to learn long and difficult points of theology to direct others to You. We have a simple gospel that conveys the simple message that any can understand. Help us to be willing to speak it out to others so that they may be saved. To Your glory, we pray! Amen.

Acts 11:13

Sunday, 30 October 2022
 
And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, Acts 11:13
 
Peter just explained that the Spirit had told him to go and not doubt and that six men accompanied him. Upon arriving at Caesarea, they all entered his house. With that stated, he now explains what occurred with Cornelius, beginning with, “And he told us how he had seen an angel.”
 
Rather, it is “the angel,” or “the messenger.” What Peter had heard as a rumor from the men sent to collect him from Joppa is now a definite claim by Cornelius. And further, the angel was “standing in his house.”
 
The words are from an aorist participle. More correctly, it reads, “having stood in his house.” The angel was there, and he was clearly positioned in the house. The thought of the words is not unimportant. If an angel, a messenger from God, had stood in the house of Cornelius, it could not be that Peter could then refrain from entering the house as if it was defiled. And more, it could not be that those gathered together could charge him with wrongdoing either.
 
A messenger from God is a holy messenger. To refuse entry after such an appearance would be as if Peter was claiming a holiness greater than the angel himself. Grasping this truth, Peter next continues, saying “who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa.’”
 
Again, it is an aorist participle. It more appropriately reads, “having said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa.’” The narrative is very direct and clear in how it is presenting each word. The angel gave very specific instructions as well. Cornelius was in Caesarea and yet the angel is directing him to send men to a city quite some distance away with a particular intent. That intent was “and call for Simon whose surname is Peter.”
 
This clearly settles the matter that Simon Peter is the object of the discourse and that his actions were wholly in accord with the will of God. To identify a particular person in a particular city in a vision from God can mean nothing other than his presence is needed, it is called for, and what will afterward transpire is wholly in accord with the will of God.
 
The narrative will continue, but it will do so with the understanding that Peter is the key point of focus and that what he does is fully acceptable to the Lord, even if it was somehow unacceptable to those he was speaking to.
 
Life application: Peter was specifically called to go into the house of a Gentile. This occurred after a vision that specifically showed him that God had declared all the animals and birds clean before him. The law had set up barriers between Israel and the people of the world for a set and specific purpose and those barriers were now removed with the completion of Jesus’ work.
 
In Job, it asks –
 
“How then can man be righteous before God?Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?” Job 25:4
 
In and of ourselves, this is impossible. However, because of Jesus, it is not only possible, it has come about. God is looking for people of faith. He is not at all concerned about deeds accomplished by people who are unclean before Him. Their deeds, no matter what they are, are unacceptable to Him because the people are already defiled.
 
However, for those who are cleansed by the shed blood of Christ, God can now look upon us and have a relationship with us. Our deeds, when done in faith concerning the Lord, are acceptable to Him. A new standard is introduced, and it is one that places us in a completely different category than we ever were before.
 
Being “in Christ” is to be united to God, once and forever, as adopted sons of God. Let us remember this as we live out our lives. We may fail Him, but He is no longer counting such things against us. However, He is reckoning our deeds of faith to an account that will bring eternal rewards. Think about this and be pleased to rest in the wonderous position you have now been granted. God has accepted you. Thank God for Jesus who has made this possible!
 
Most glorious and gracious heavenly Father, thank You for what You have done. We were Your enemies and yet You sent Jesus. We stand in awe of Your great love with which You have loved us. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 11:12

Saturday, 29 October 2022
 
Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12
 
The previous verse told of the three men who were sent from Caesarea and who came and stood before the house where Peter was. This happened at the very moment his vision had ended. With that, it next says, “Then the Spirit told me to go with them.”
 
Peter has been telling of the events before the men came. Now in a supportable defense against those who were accusing him, he notes that his actions were Spirit-directed. He had a vision that may or may not have immediately clued him into what was being said, but now a direct confirmation that he was accompanying these men who arrived at the house is given. Along with that, he was to be “doubting nothing.”
 
The meaning is that he was to accompany them without any misgivings, although some manuscripts change the word from the middle to the active voice. In this, the sense is changed to “make a distinction,” meaning that he should not discriminate against those who had come to collect him. Either way, the directive is given by the Spirit and Peter was to go with the men without any qualms. From there, it next says, “Moreover these six brethren accompanied me.”
 
The words are clearly intended to show that it wasn’t just Peter who had gone with the Gentiles, but that the whole group had. If any of them had brought a charge against Peter for staying with the Gentiles, these six would not have first accompanied them. As such, there were many more witnesses than required by the law to substantiate everything that he was saying. And more than just going with them, Peter was completely obedient to the situation as directed by the Spirit because he next says, “and we entered the man’s house.”
 
Here, Peter changes the accusation of verse 3 where the plural was used, “uncircumcised men.” Rather, he says in the singular “the man’s house.” It wasn’t as if he was having a party with a bunch of uncircumcised men. Rather, he was called to a specific house owned by a certain man. The number of people in the house was irrelevant and the status of the man was as well. Peter was given a clear and specific set of instructions and he followed through with them accordingly.
 
Life application: Peter clearly ate with the uncircumcised, as is indicated in verse 11:3. He did this in Antioch as is recorded in Galatians 2:11 as well. And yet, in the very next verse, Galatians 2:12, he withdrew himself from their fellowship when the Jews who came from James showed up. He failed to conduct himself as he had previously been instructed to do by the Spirit.
 
His weakness caused harm to the purity of the gospel and Paul called him out on it. However, it became a later lesson to those who were troubled by the Judaizers in Galatia. And it should be a continuing lesson for those who are troubled by the false teachers of the Hebrew Roots movement today.
 
God can take our faults and our failings and turn them around for good. So don’t beat yourself up too much when you have a moment of doubt or weakness. Like Peter, turn back to the straight path and live out your freedom in Christ as you should. And when you have the chance, you can tell others about how you failed. Sometimes people need to hear that they are not alone in falling into temptations.
 
In the end, each of us has our own failings, but Jesus is greater than them. If you are in Christ, He has already forgiven you. So, press on and do what is right henceforth.
 
Lord God, thank You for the forgiveness we possess because of what Jesus has done. In Him, we have a surety that goes beyond our failings because He has prevailed. We know that nothing can separate us from You again, but we may need reminders at times that it is so. Help us to be refreshed in this thought often so that our walk before You will be one of joy. Amen.
 

Acts 11:11

Friday, 28 October 2022
 
At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. Acts 11:11
 
After Peter explained that the object with all the animals in it had been drawn up into heaven, he now says, “At that very moment.” Though the intent is the same, the Greek more closely says, “And behold, immediately...”
 
Exactly as the vision ended, the next event occurred. Because the two events are connected, as he later discovered, it highlights the purposeful intent of the vision coming at the exact time it did. The next event is that “three men stood before the house where I was.”
 
As noted in the previous commentary, it seems that there may be a connection between the three times the vision repeated itself and the three men coming. Peter would possibly have made this mental correlation. Whether this is the case or not, the three times the event occurred were certainly provided to ensure to him that God had determined the matter and it was set. God determines what is clean and what is unclean. When He does, the matter is settled. With this stated, the verse finishes with the note that the men were at the house, “having been sent to me from Caesarea.”
 
The length of such a trip meant that the arrival could have come at any time. Peter had no idea if they left long before sunrise or if they left the day before. They may have made one stop or four. All he knew was at the exact moment the vision was complete, these Gentiles had shown up at his door. The connection was obvious, and he is explaining it as such to those before him.
 
Life application: There are certainly times in our lives when something happens, and we struggle to understand why things occurred as they did. It may be the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, or a flat tire on the way to Bible class.
 
At such times, our confusion about the matter may cause frustration, sadness, or other feelings that burden us. And yet, in due time, the event brings about some other event that perfectly suits our life. If that thing didn’t happen, then this thing would not have happened. Such things may be “time and chance” as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 9:11, or there may have been a greater purpose that God intended all along.
 
Either way, we cannot change time and chance, and we cannot know what God has planned. So, we should do our best to take life as it comes and have gratitude towards God in all things. One thing is for certain: He has a grand plan that is being brought about and we, because of our faith in Jesus, are a part of that plan. So, let us be convinced that our lives are being directed toward that good end.
 
Because we are in Christ, He is carefully tending to us each step of the way. Let us be confident in that. David had that attitude. He may not have had all the information concerning a given matter, but he handed the events of his life over to the Lord –
 
“Wait on the Lord;Be of good courage,And He shall strengthen your heart;Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
 
Let us have a like-minded attitude. Let us wait patiently on His guiding hand in all things.
 
Lord God, thank You for directing our steps on the path of life. We may not always know where the next step will lead, but we can be confident that, ultimately, they all are getting us to the wonderful goal which You have promised Your people. Thank You that our path is known to You and that You are directing us on it according to Your wisdom. Amen.

Acts 11:10

Thursday, 27 October 2022
 
Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. Acts 11:10
 
Peter had just noted that for a second time the voice had said “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Having said that, he continues by saying, “Now this was done three times.”
 
It may or may not be a coincidence that the next verse will specifically note that three men from Cornelius will arrive at the door. Not only was the event seen three times, confirming that it was a purposeful and determined incident, but having three Gentiles arrive just then may confirm to Peter that he should pay heed to the vision. As for the great object filled with the animals of the earth, Peter next says, “and all were drawn up again into heaven.”
 
In Acts 10:16, the word analambanó was used. It means “to take up,” such as when Christ was taken up into heaven in Acts 1:2. Luke now uses the word anaspaó. That signifies “to pull up,” or “to draw up.” It is used only one other time, also by Luke –
 
“Then He answered them, saying, ‘Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?’” Luke 14:5
 
One might challenge the reliability of the text because of this, claiming that the use of two words shows an inconsistency. But there is no reason for this. Luke was the one to describe the events of Acts 10 as they were conveyed to him. Peter is now the one to describe what he saw in Acts 11. Rather than demonstrating an inconsistency, it shows that the use of the words is a recounting that is being described as anyone would do it, using words familiar to the mind at the time.
 
Of the words of Jesus just cited from Luke 14, the same thought is found in Matthew 12 using a completely different set of words to describe what he said –
 
“Then He said to them, ‘What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?’” Matthew 12:11
 
Rather than an inconsistency, we have a personal eyewitness being relayed by two different sources using words that are appropriate to their mental state at the time. Any person might at one time say, “I saw the object pulled up to heaven.” The next time he describes the event, he might say, “I saw the object drawn up to heaven.” What is seen here is the recording of a natural discourse as it would normally occur.
 
Life application: Someone trying to tear apart the Bible would naturally claim that the use of various words when describing a single account shows an inconsistency. And yet, that same person would say, “Those two accounts are just copied, one from the other,” when they were identical. There is no winning with someone like that.
 
God has allowed man’s moods, predispositions, and current state of mind to enter into His word as it was conveyed by those who wrote it out. It is thus a living and active word that reflects more than just a set and rigid state of mind. Rather, it demonstrates to us a beauty all its own.
 
When a person plays a song on a guitar, it would become stagnant and boring to play the exact same notes every single time. Rather, a great player will take the original song and follow it while also adding in various personal notes. As such, it will be uniquely played even while it is the same song that has been played all along.
 
The Bible allows for something comparable when similar accounts are relayed to us. And yet, despite this, the exact intent of God is conveyed through His inspiration. We have the very words of God that reflect the very heart of His chosen instruments for conveying that word. Rejoice in the beauty of this word all your days. When you read the psalms of David, you can know that David is the author, even though you can also know that God is the ultimate inspiration and Author behind what is written. Think about this and revel in this precious and sacred word.
 
Heavenly Father, our hearts rejoice at the beauty of Your word. It is a treasure to come to and to consider from day to day. We are filled with hope, inspiration, joy, and more as we move from page to page. We can be angry at that which angers You. We can be molded into godly people through it. There is so much life and beauty in Your word. Thank You for this precious word. Amen.
 

Acts 11:9

Wednesday, 26 October 2022
 
But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common. Acts 11:9
 
In the previous verse, Peter explained his response to the voice from heaven, saying, “Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.” Now, Peter continues with, “But the voice answered me again from heaven.”
 
The Greek is more precise, saying, “But the voice answered a second time out of the heaven.” Peter is giving an exacting sequence of what occurred so that his hearers will mentally participate in what he has already personally experienced. With this noted, Peter next quotes the voice from heaven, saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
 
The wording in the Greek is just the same as Acts 10:15. This is exactly what was said, and Peter repeats it without any changes at all.
 
Life application: The voice from heaven has specifically said that God has cleansed these animals. The uncleanness of the animals, however, caused the perception of uncleanness in the Gentiles among the Jews. However, if God had cleansed the animals, the Jews could not use this precept as a point of considering the Gentiles unclean, even if other things could still cause that perception.
 
With this understood, how did God cleanse the animals? Were they not considered clean for Noah? The answer is, “Yes, they were.” Genesis 9:3 explicitly says, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.” So, what is it that made the animals unclean? It was the prohibition for Israel to eat them as contained within the law.
 
If God has cleansed them (meaning for the Jews), it means that the law is no longer in effect. The prohibition came from the law, causing uncleanness before the law when the prohibition is violated. The cleansing came from the fulfillment and ending of the law through Christ’s work, including His sacrificial death.
 
Paul says, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). There can be no knowledge of sin if the law does not exist. As this is so, and as the animals are now deemed as cleansed because of the fulfillment of the law, then the Jews could no longer consider the Gentiles as “unclean” because of their diet.
 
But this then brings in a new kind of declaration of uncleanness. If the Gentiles are not unclean because of a precept of the law which is now ended in Christ, and if these same Gentiles come to Christ through the gospel, then they are wholly sanctified to the Lord because of that fact. And so, if a Gentile is wholly cleansed before the Lord because of Christ, what is the state of a Jew who has not come to Christ? He is wholly unclean before the Lord.
 
Such a person is still bound to the law because of his rejection of Christ. As such, he stands guilty before the law – in every precept. But more, he still bears the stain of Adam’s sin. In God’s eyes, he is wholly defiled. Paul explains this in Romans 2:25-29. The law was given by God to highlight sin in man, not to remove it from man. Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, because of His perfection before the law, is what purifies man. This is what the law was intended to reveal –
 
“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Galatians 3:24, 25
 
Thank God for Jesus who has done it! In coming to Him, we find a new freedom. Sin no longer has mastery over us. Yes, thank God for Jesus!
 
Lord God, it is beyond our ability to fully grasp the magnitude of what has been done in the coming of Jesus. We can think about it and understand one point after another about what He did, but with every new thought, there is more to consider beyond what we have learned. Everything is so perfectly complete in Him. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen. 
 

Acts 11:8

Tuesday, 25 October 2022
 
But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ Acts 11:8
 
The previous verse referred to the voice saying to Peter, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” In response to that, Peter now says, “But I said, ‘Not so, Lord!’” These are just the words Peter spoke. He recognized the authority in the voice and responded with the word “Lord,” thus confirming that authority. And yet, he appealed for it not to be.
 
He was a Jew and was observant to their laws as set forth by Moses. To confirm this, he continues with, “For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.”
 
Here Peter makes a few small changes to what he said, but the substance is the same:
 
“For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” Acts 10:14
“For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.” Acts 11:8
 
He acknowledges to those he is speaking to that he clearly presented himself as a law-observant Jew to the voice from heaven. If this was a test of his faithfulness to Moses, he would have passed with flying colors. Hence, they had no reason to question his careful attention to that particular matter. He will continue to explain what occurred in the verses ahead, defending his actions based on the circumstances that surrounded them.
 
Life application: At this point, the people who understood how the law worked must have been wondering what was going on. James, an observant Jew at the time of Christ, did understand the ramifications of sinning under the law –
 
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
 
The voice from heaven had directed something that would be considered a point of stumbling under the law. How could it be that the voice could direct an observant Jew to do something like this unless it was just a test of his faithfulness to the law? They must have rationalized in their minds that this was surely the case.
 
But as the narrative progresses, it will become evident that what was directed was an object lesson concerning Gentile inclusion in the New Covenant. As Gentiles were never under the law, and as they are included in the New Covenant apart from the law, then it must be that the New Covenant is not based upon law observance.
 
For them, this would be a difficult thing to even imagine. But it is they who must adapt to what is being conveyed. When the author of Hebrews writes about the state of the law after the introduction of the New Covenant, he is clear and precise in what that means. And yet, to this day, both Judaizers and others who supposedly claim to be Christians adamantly reintroduce law observance into their flawed theology. But Hebrews says otherwise –
 
“For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18, 19
 
“In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13
 
“Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second.” Hebrews 10:8, 9
 
The words are written, and they do not reflect well on those who have rejected the grace of God in Christ. His lifeless body on the cross of Calvary is a testament to the law’s fulfillment and ending. His resurrection is a confirmation that it is so. A New Covenant now exists. Trusting in personal righteousness before God based on law observance disgraces the Lord’s cross and it rejects the significance of His resurrection. Be wise, give up on your self-righteousness and come to God through Jesus.
 
Lord God, Thank You for the burden that has been lifted from us because of Jesus. We were without hope, stuck in a state of constant fear of death. But now, we have the victory in Him! Thank You for allowing us to return to You covered by His precious blood. Praises to You forever and ever! Amen. 

Acts 11:7

Monday, 24 October 2022
 
And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ Acts 11:7
 
Peter saw the object from heaven descend. In the previous verse, it described the many animals and birds seen in it. In fact, it was a world full of all animals. With that, it now says, “And I heard a voice saying to me.”
 
This is just what is recorded in Acts 10:13. A voice came to him, and he heard it. The message from that voice is next stated, saying, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
 
More correctly, the verb is an aorist participle, “Having risen, Peter, kill and eat.” In other words, “Once you have gotten up, then you are directed to kill and eat.” The words are also in accord with verse 10:13, being cited word for word exactly as they were recorded there. Peter is being meticulously careful to relay exactly what he saw and heard to those who were there before him.
 
Life application: We are being provided a careful look into what occurred as if we are the audience there before Peter. Luke could have just said, “Peter carefully explained everything that happened while he was in Caesarea.” Instead, he attentively details for a second time all that occurred.
 
Because of this, we need to be sure to understand the message that is being conveyed. It is a message concerning the law and grace. How anyone can go through all of this detail twice, and still think it is appropriate to put himself back under the constraints of the Law of Moses is simply unimaginable. We are provided the same freedoms granted to Noah and all who followed him, even until the time of the law when only Israel was placed under the law. All other people continued to have the freedom to eat anything set before them.
 
Israel was given the law. Israel could not meet the demands of the law. Not even a single person of Israel could meet the law’s demands. And so, God Himself entered into the stream of time and human existence in order to fulfill the law. Why would anyone set that aside and claim that he was going to do what Jesus had done, improving upon His completed work? It is a slap in God’s face! Rest in Christ, trust in Christ, and be freed from the yoke of the law through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
 
Lord God, thank you for Jesus who has opened the way for restoration with You. Yes, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acts 11:6

Sunday, 23 October 2022
 
When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. Acts 11:6
 
Peter just described the object descending like a great sheet [sail] that came down from heaven. He now explains what was in it. The translation of the NKJV does not get the verbs right, and each category is preceded by an article. A more proper rendering is, “at which having looked steadfastly, I was considering, and I saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of the heaven” (CG).
 
Peter’s words, “at which having looked steadfastly,” are not found in Acts 10. He is describing his own personal mental state at the curious sight that had been presented to him. He obviously was quite curious about what he was seeing. With that state of mind, he continues with, “I was considering.”
 
The verb is imperfect. He didn’t just consider and then move on. Rather, he was engaged in an ongoing thought process. During his considerations, he then notes what was presented to him, saying, “and I saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of the heaven.”
 
This is a close repeat of the words of verse 10:12. He is carefully recounting what was first presented to his sight at that time. Each category is stated with an article to show that these were not a couple of animals of each category, but rather an innumerable – even all-inclusive – number of them. Peter is seeing a world full of otherwise unclean animals interspersed with whatever few clean animals there are in relation to the whole.
 
Life application: We tend to place a high value on animals we are favorable towards. In the US, people love their dogs. When a photo of a Chinese meat market is seen that includes caged dogs waiting to be sold for food, activists get out and protest at the horror of such a thing.
 
And yet, those same people will go to the local steakhouse for dinner and have a big meaty steak. Are dogs more important than cows? In the end, Peter is being asked to consider things from God’s perspective. This is His world, and He has ordained all things to be eaten by man.
 
During the time of the law, this was changed for one group of people to teach the world a lesson about the coming Messiah. Outside of that, the people of the world are all in need of a Savior. Are we going to pick and choose which are acceptable for evangelism and which are not? Or are we going to direct our attention toward how God sees things?
 
Let us not get caught up in personal or cultural biases and condemn others because of what they eat. Let us also not decide that some people or some people groups are not to be included in our evangelistic efforts. God sent Jesus into the world for all people. Let us have that attitude as we conduct our affairs.
 
Lord God, the only difference between those who have been saved and those who have not yet been saved is the act of acceptance of the gospel message. Other than that, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Help us to remember this and not get smug in our state of salvation. Someone took the time to tell us about Jesus. Now, help us to do the same. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Acts 11:5

Saturday, 22 October 2022
 
“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. Acts 11:5
 
In the previous verse, it noted that Peter began his response to the circumcision, putting everything in order as it occurred. That order now starts with, “I was in the city of Joppa praying.”
 
Peter begins with his location. As it was in a different city than where Cornelius was, it is important that he conveyed this to his audience. In this, they would be able to see that what occurred was based on events that actually took place more than a day apart in order for the immediate events surrounding Peter to occur simultaneously. While in Joppa, he next notes his state, saying, “and in a trance I saw a vision.”
 
The words are explanatory. Luke recorded what Peter saw as a trance without using the term “vision.” That is seen in Acts 10 –
 
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. Acts 10: 9-16
 
It is while in a trance and seeing the vision that Peter next explains the contents of the vision, saying, “an object descending like a great sheet.”
 
One can refer to the comments on Acts 10:11 to understand the meaning of this and to see that what Peter saw was probably a “great sail.” Translating the Greek word as “sail” is acceptable, and it is the most likely meaning of Peter’s words. Next, Peter says this great object was “let down from heaven by four corners.”
 
The Greek has two slight differences. First, the verb is a present participle, “being let down.” Secondly, it says, “from the heaven.” With that noted, the words of this clause are again explained in the Acts 10:11 commentary. There is rich symbolism and Peter would have grasped its intent after pondering what he saw. The verse next ends with, “and it came to me.”
 
It does not specifically say this in Acts 10, but it is implied. Peter is on the earth, the great object descended from the heaven, it was intended for him to see, and the voice that spoke was directed to him. Hence to say “and it came to me” is correct from his perspective.
 
Life application: The personal witness of an individual to the changing power of events in one’s life can lead others to follow the same path as well. In the case of accepting Jesus because of the gospel, there is no need to embellish the events that took place at all.
 
The focus is to be on the power of God, not on the individual. Unfortunately, humans find it satisfying to make events about us. This is not a healthy way of presenting why we have received Jesus. First, it is not the point of salvation. The ultimate point of salvation is for God to receive the glory.
 
Secondly, we are fallen beings and we are bound to fail. When we do, those who were impressed with the change in us might become disheartened in their seeking out the reason for our conversion. But if we keep the focus of our conversion on Jesus at all times, then our failings will not diminish the power of God in our lives, they will actually highlight it.
 
If we needed a Savior, and if we continue to need a Savior, it means that we are dependent on the Lord at all times. If we act as if our salvation has brought us to a state where we are no longer in need of Jesus’ guiding hand in our lives, we will not be bringing the glory to Him as we should.
 
Let us keep our personal testimony about Jesus focusing on Him at all times. As Paul says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” 1 Corinthians 10:12. We are always dependent on Jesus. Let our speech and attitude reflect this.
 
Lord God, how good You are to us. You saved us and You keep on saving us. When we fail You, there is always the assurance that we are Yours and that You are there to forgive us and lead us back to Yourself. And so, Lord, help us to consider this and draw near to You at all times. Thank You for Your tender care of us. Amen.
 

Acts 11:4

Friday, 21 October 2022
 
But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: Acts 11:4
 
Those of the circumcision were in a snit towards Peter about what had occurred in Caesarea. They said to him, “You went into uncircumcised men and ate with them.” With that, it now says, “But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying.”
 
This translation by the NKJV is hardly reflective of the Greek. Rather, it reads, “Now Peter having begun, set forth to them in order, saying” (BLB). Peter opened his mouth and began his response to them. Once he did, he set forth the events as they occurred. The verb is imperfect, reflecting the ongoing nature of his speaking out the chronology of events. He started explaining and he continued by sequentially relaying how things happened.
 
By doing this, he would be able to convince them of the appropriateness of his actions more precisely. This is because they will be able to see it in the same manner as God ordered the things to occur. Peter had his own doubts, but they were dispelled by how things transpired. By the time he arrived at Cornelius’ house, he felt reassured that his entry into it was exactly the right thing to do.
 
By speaking out the matter just as it had been presented to him, they could logically follow along as if they were there, right next to him, watching how God orchestrated everything. As such, even a hardened Jew, if he accepted Peter’s story as true, would be fully convinced that Peter’s actions were wholly acceptable.
 
Life application: By looking at this verse in parallel with other translations, one can see how carefully some translations follow the original Greek, some paraphrase it, and some practically plagiarize what others have already put forth without ever checking with the original.
 
For this commentary, forty-six versions were looked at. Of them, thirty-one follow the Greek order exactly or pretty closely. Eleven follow the same pattern as the NKJV (noted above), and the rest are essentially paraphrases that do not reflect the Greek very well at all. One can almost see where the original error in thought came in and who went with it. In this case, the oldest Bible referred to that started the divergence in translation was the Bishop’s Bible of 1568.
 
First, remember the correct sequence of the Greek from the BLB –
 
 “Now Peter having begun, set forth to them in order, saying”
 
The translation that less properly follows the Greek (the Bishop’s Bible of 1568) reads –
 
“But Peter rehearsed the matter from the begynnyng, and expounded it by order vnto them, saying:”
 
From there, whoever was assigned this portion of Acts on the KJV translation team simply copied that and updated it to more modern English –
 
“But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,”
 
From there, the NKJV did this again –
 
“But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:”
 
This is just a simple exercise in finding out why translations are the way they are, and it can be extremely helpful in better learning the original intent, if desired. Seeing error in something can help in directing the mind to what is correct. If such things don’t matter to you, then enjoy whatever translation you are reading, but be sure to not assume it is the only correct version. Just because you enjoy the style of the translation you are reading, it doesn’t make it right.
 
Consider this carefully because even though Acts 11:4 doesn’t carry any heavy theological weight, other verses do. A single mistranslated verse, or a single verse taken out of its proper context, can lead people down entirely incorrect paths of doctrine. Never stop studying this precious word. It is a lifetime of joy for those who seek out what God has set forth for us!
 
Lord God, what a delight it is to read Your word and to contemplate it. Thank You for those who have diligently and faithfully translated it for us over the millennia. We are the recipients of their efforts, and for that, we are grateful. How wonderful it is to have modern, reliable versions to help us understand what You have set for us. Amen.

Acts 11:3

Thursday, 20 October 2022
 
saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” Acts 11:3
 
In the previous verse, it noted that when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him. It now explains that with the words, “You went in to uncircumcised men.” Rather, the Greek reads, “men having foreskin.” Vincent’s Word Studies says of this, “An indignant expression.”
 
The word, akrobustia, is first seen here. It signifies the foreskin. It is used at times by Jews when referring to Gentiles. Figuratively, it signifies a person being outside of God’s covenant. This is because of the mandates given to Abraham all the way back in Genesis 17. This was later brought into the Mosaic law as well as is seen in Leviticus 12:3, saying, “And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”
 
After this, the word will be used nineteen more times, all by Paul in his epistles. His uses of it will mostly contrast those who are circumcised and those who are not. One of the most poignant times is when he uses the word six times in Romans 4:9-12 –
 
“Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.”
 
What happened with Cornelius and those with him is just what Paul is referring to in Romans 4. The blessing of God in Christ came upon the uncircumcised just as the declaration of righteousness bestowed upon Abraham came upon him while he was still uncircumcised. Not considering this, those of the circumcision were highly upset at Peter, noting that he had gone in to be with these men “and ate with them!”
 
They knew that uncircumcised men would also be eating food that was not considered clean according to the laws and customs of the Jews. He might as well have brought a pound of bacon home with him and started eating it right in front of them. They were aghast at his complete shunning of what it meant to be a Jew.
 
Life application: Those who promote the Hebrew Roots movement, along with other cults and sects of supposed Christians, will deny the obvious meaning of what occurred when Peter stayed with these Gentiles and ate with them. If asked about such verses, long explanations of how Peter would have brought his own food, or that he would have had special food prepared for him, or some other ridiculous notion that is clearly not indicated by Luke’s words will be proposed.
 
But the text and its meaning are clear. Peter did not adhere to the customs or dietary restrictions of the Jews. He had been in the trance, he had heard the voice from heaven, it had been presented three times, and then he had seen the Holy Spirit come down upon the Gentiles. He realized what Jesus meant concerning the words He spoke when He walked among them –
 
“Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” Mark 7:18, 19
 
Rather than an elaborate explanation of how Peter remained undefiled in his diet, which is obviously not the case, it is more probable that he sat down, had a meal, and while eating asked, “Wow, this is really good! What is it?” The answer may have come back, “Pork chops, do you want more?”
 
Think about the entire context of what happened from Acts 10:1 until this point. We are free from the constraints that were levied upon the Jews. Why on earth would anyone want to be put back under that yoke, except to prove how holy he was? What an affront to the finished work of Jesus Christ! We find our true righteousness, sanctification, and holiness in Him alone.
 
Lord God, thank You for what Jesus has done. In Him, there is full and forever purification that could never come through the Law of Moses or from any other supposed demonstration of piety. Religion cannot bring us closer to You. Only Jesus can do that. Thank You for Jesus who has made us acceptable before Your glorious throne. Amen.