Clean and the Unclean – Vision of Peter

Peter saw a vision while he was praying – Acts 10:9-10. What he saw was the heaven opening and a vessel like a great sheet coming down filled with all sorts of animals and creatures – verse 12.

A voice from heaven told Peter to slay and eat these creatures but Peter said he cannot eat these creatures as they are common and unclean – Acts 10:13-14.

Three times the voice from heaven told Peter to slay and eat the creatures but Peter said again he cannot do this – verse 15-16.

Three times he was told to eat but while Peter was thinking about this instruction, three gentles (from another nation) appeared in front of him and he was also thinking about the vision he saw about the three men who is seeking him (verse 19) - Acts 10:17-18.

Do you notice what Peter was been shown: 3 x he was told to eat the creatures, 3 x he said he cannot and then he sees 3 x gentles in front of him and then remembers the vision of the three men that were seeking him. These three men were Cornelius and two of his servants (all three gentles).

To understand this vision, you need to read the whole chapter 10 of Acts!

Before I tell you what this vision actually means, I must tell you what Christian preachers told me when I was younger what it meant! It was told that it meant the food laws of what is clean and unclean given in the Old Testament is now nailed to the cross and Messiah said that all food including unclean food like pig can be eaten. Christians today believe this and they are eating whatever is given to them but this is not true, Messiah did not nail the food laws to the cross.

Let me explain the vision Peter had, as this was not permission for us today to eat unclean animals like example pig.

Cornelius and his household were gentles which mean they were not Israelites of birth and gentles in that time were seen as unclean people. Cornelius and his household accepted and believed the gospel of Messiah Yahusha (Jesus) and in Acts 10:22 it says he was a righteous man and feared the Almighty Creator. Peter was invited by Cornelius to visit his house and Peter entered his house – verse 23-27. Peter then said!

Peter said to Cornelius in Acts 10:28 when he entered his house: “You know that a Yehudi (Jew) man is not allowed to associate with, or go to one of another race. But Elohim (Almighty) has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

To understand this more clearly; Peter clearly states what the vision meant: No man, no gentile (not speaking about animals at all) should be called unclean. In those days Jews were not allowed to visit or even touch things of other nations (gentles or heathens) as they were considered unclean.

This is why Peter said in verse 29 to Cornelius he was hesitate to visit him and why he was doubting the vision (verse 17).

Acts 10:34-35 Peter confirms he now understands the vision: And opening his mouth, Peter said, “Truly I see that Elohim shows no partiality, but in every nation (gentles), he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Other word, anyone who accepts and obeys Yahuah (Heavenly Father) is part of Him.

Yahuah is using the analogy with food to tell Peter not to call people who were now true believers common or unclean.

Nowhere does it ever condone the eating of unclean food according to Leviticus chapter 11.

This whole incident is taking place after the resurrection and Peter clearly said in Acts 10:14, that “he never ate anything unclean”.

Peter clearly understands his vision when he said in verse 36 the following; “He sent the word to the children of Israel, bringing the Good News: peace through Yahusha (Jesus) Messiah! He is Master of all. Other word, the Word (Yahusha) was sent to Israel first, and then to other nations – the Almighty Creator is master of all, not man.

Stephen confirmed that Yahusha was at Mt Sinai (Acts 7:38) giving the commandments which included the food commandment, then how can Messiah change His mind after His resurrection.

Answer this question: Nowhere in scripture does it state that homosexuality (sodomy) is nailed to the cross, and this is the same with unclean food! So why today are the Christian churches not condemning these actions!

We must remember; Messiah came to earth to die for our sins not to change the commandments.

Peter first did not understand his vision but later on he did!

Many of us do also not understand the Word but hopefully later we will!