A paradigm shift is in order

Acts 10:1-9

When reading doctor Luke’s account of Cornelius the centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, it is important to understand that he was not welcome in Israel.  A Jew would consider him as low as a dog, and unclean, but because the Jews were under the strong hand of the Romans and Cornelius was the man in charge of that area, they played nice with him.  Dr. Luke gives this account of Cornelius; a leader of Roman soldiers, a devout man who feared God with his entire household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.  Now if Cornelius were your neighbor he would be the kind of person who you would trust with the keys to your house, and yet he was not the kind of guy that the apostle Peter would have been seen with.  God would need to change Peter’s paradigm, so God put in Peter’s mind the need to pray and it was the sixth hour and as he was praying he got very hungry and while it was being prepared Peter fell into a trance.  And he saw all kinds of what he considered unclean animals coming down from heaven on like a sheet, and a voice said to him: “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.”  This is doctor Luke’s account of what happen next: “But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (Acts 10:14-16 ESV) 

A paradigm shift is in order, for as a Jew, Peter has always been taught what things are clean and what is not and he has lived by those rules.  Have you grown up with a set of rules or ways to live and measure others, and has God made clear that those rules should no longer apply to your life?  Once more, let us return to the story of Peter and Cornelius; “And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So he invited them in to be his guests.  The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.”  (Acts 10:19-23 ESV)

Do you understand why this will not work in most Christian’s life today?  Because most of us do not expect God to give us marching orders, but Peter did listen, and once he heard, he did the most amazing thing; he followed instructions, and a revival took place in Caesarea, because Cornelius was expecting them and he invited his relatives and close friends.  Now this might not happen in our time, but then it might, when Peter came into the room Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.  Before you make a judgment on what you would or would not do, remember that an angel of the Lord directed Cornelius to send for Peter.  Can you imagine what a shock this was to Peter to have a leader of the Roman army bowing and worshiping you.  This is what happen: “But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”  (Acts 10:26-33 ESV)  And on that day God’s Spirit opened the hearts of many to come into the family of God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice