Acts 10

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

What does Acts 10:12 mean?

Explanation

[Acts 10:12] describes a vision seen by the apostle Peter in which he sees a sheet descending from heaven.

This sheet is filled with all kinds of animals including four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds.

The vision is significant because it presents animals that Jews considered unclean and not to be eaten as per Mosaic Law.

The deeper meaning of the vision emerges as God instructs Peter to eat from the sheet, symbolizing the broadening of the covenant with God to include gentiles and to challenge Jewish dietary restrictions.

Peter understands that God is showing him that no people are to be considered unclean, and that the message of Jesus is for all humanity.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 10:12 is part of the narrative of the early Christian church as recorded by Luke.

The verse is situated in the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who is described as a devout man who feared God.

Peter's vision occurs as Cornelius sends men to seek out Peter after being directed by an angel.

At this point in history, Christianity was still largely a sect within Judaism, and there was significant debate about the requirements of Gentile converts to Christianity.

The dietary laws from Leviticus were a major part of Jewish identity.

Peter's vision in Joppa is a significant turning point in the outreach of the Christian message to non-Jews.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Acts 10:12 has been interpreted as God revealing a new phase of His plan for humanity: the gospel is for all people, Jew and Gentile alike, and old divisions based on ethnicity or adherence to the Law are abolished in Jesus Christ.

Roman Catholic and Orthodox teachings uphold the vision as the basis for the Church's missionary stance.

Protestant interpretations might emphasize the discontinuity between Old and New Covenants, highlighting the liberty found in Christ Jesus.

The narrative also demonstrates the role of revelation and the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church.

Practical Applications

Practically, Acts 10:12 invites believers to reassess their own prejudices and the arbitrary boundaries they construct that might prevent them from sharing their faith with others. It's a call to inclusivity and an acknowledgment that all people are acceptable in the sight of God.

Furthermore, it challenges Christians to consider the parts of their tradition or interpretations of scripture that may be cultural, rather than essential to the faith.

This verse is an encouragement to be open to new understandings that the Spirit of God may be revealing to the church in changing circumstances.

Cross-References

Acts 10:15 - "And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
Acts 11:9 - "But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
Mark 7:18-19 - "And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?"
Romans 14:14 - "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean."

Language Study

The key words in [Acts 10:12] are derived from Koine Greek:

"Fourfooted beasts" (τετράποδα) - Literally four-footed, referring to land animals.
"Wild beasts" (θηρία) - Often refers to wild, dangerous animals.
"Creeping things" (ἑρπετά) - Refers to small animals that move close to the ground, including reptiles and insects.
"Fowls of the air" (πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) - Birds or winged creatures.

These words cover a broad spectrum of creatures and emphasize the comprehensive nature of the vision.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Jewish culture, dietary laws from Leviticus 11 formed part of the holiness code that distinguished Israel from other nations.

Within this context, Peter's vision sharply contrasts with these well-established norms.

Comparatively, many ancient cultures had dietary restrictions and ritual purity laws.

In Greco-Roman mythology, certain animals were also associated with deities and had cultic significance.

However, the blanket inclusion of all kinds of animals in Peter's vision symbolizes a break from the religiously motivated dietary restrictions of the past, not just Jewish but also from surrounding cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science has shown that many of the distinctions made in ancient dietary laws may have had practical health-related origins, such as reducing the risk of diseases from certain animals.

However, from a scientific perspective, there is no inherent quality in any animal that renders it intrinsically unclean for consumption aside from potential pathogens or toxins.

Thus, the statement in Acts 10:12 does not conflict with scientific knowledge but speaks more to the historical and cultural practices concerning diet.

Commentaries

Biblical commentaries interpret Acts 10:12 as a pivotal moment in the expansion of the early Christian church.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary, for instance, emphasizes the significance of God teaching Peter that he should not call any man common or unclean, expanding on the idea that the vision isn't about food but about people.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible discusses the vision in terms of Jewish law being a shadow of good things to come and now, with the coming of Christ, the distinction between clean and unclean meats, as well as peoples, being abolished.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series highlights that the implications of this vision were challenging for the early church, as they grappled with the broader inclusion of Gentiles.

Acts 10

Acts 10

What does Acts 10:12 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 10:12 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?