The Vision of Peter in Acts 10:9-16
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:22 am
Peter clearly tells us his conclusion of this vision in verse 28: "... You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for." Also in verse 34 Peter adds more to his understanding of the vision: "Peter said: 'I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.'"
Notice that the Lord's message to Peter through this vision has literally nothing to do with the idea that God is now allowing the Jews to eat unclean animals.
Look again at the response of some of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who took issue with him taking the gospel to the Gentiles and eating with them. The very first thing Peter uses to defend himself is to tell them about his vision that the Lord gave him. Notice that their response was not "Oh, God is now allowing us to eat unclean animals." Rather, their understanding of Peter's vision was "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
Neither Peter, Cornelius and his family, or the Jewish believers took Peter's vision in a literal sense, rather they saw that it was meant to be understood figuratively. So for Christians today to use this passage to prove that God has discarded His prohibition of eating unclean animals, is to totally misunderstand the context here.
Also, Mark said "Thus He declared all foods clean." in Mark 7:19. Assuming that Peter was there to hear Jesus' words, if he understood it to mean that Jesus no longer considered any animal unclean, as some Christians believe today, then why would Peter later object to killing and eating unclean animals seen in his vision?
Notice that Mark 7:19 says that He declared all FOODS clean, not all animals clean. Unclean animals were not food. But why would Jesus declare that all foods are clean, if they already knew that clean animals were to be eaten? Apparently some Jews were abstaining from eating even clean animals (1 Timothy 4:3), thinking maybe that they were acting more religious. Another reason could be to avoid eating meat that could have been offered to idols (Acts 21:25), even though Paul tells us clearly that he had the freedom to eat any meat (i.e. IMO, any clean animal) in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.
Notice that the Lord's message to Peter through this vision has literally nothing to do with the idea that God is now allowing the Jews to eat unclean animals.
Look again at the response of some of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who took issue with him taking the gospel to the Gentiles and eating with them. The very first thing Peter uses to defend himself is to tell them about his vision that the Lord gave him. Notice that their response was not "Oh, God is now allowing us to eat unclean animals." Rather, their understanding of Peter's vision was "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
Neither Peter, Cornelius and his family, or the Jewish believers took Peter's vision in a literal sense, rather they saw that it was meant to be understood figuratively. So for Christians today to use this passage to prove that God has discarded His prohibition of eating unclean animals, is to totally misunderstand the context here.
Also, Mark said "Thus He declared all foods clean." in Mark 7:19. Assuming that Peter was there to hear Jesus' words, if he understood it to mean that Jesus no longer considered any animal unclean, as some Christians believe today, then why would Peter later object to killing and eating unclean animals seen in his vision?
Notice that Mark 7:19 says that He declared all FOODS clean, not all animals clean. Unclean animals were not food. But why would Jesus declare that all foods are clean, if they already knew that clean animals were to be eaten? Apparently some Jews were abstaining from eating even clean animals (1 Timothy 4:3), thinking maybe that they were acting more religious. Another reason could be to avoid eating meat that could have been offered to idols (Acts 21:25), even though Paul tells us clearly that he had the freedom to eat any meat (i.e. IMO, any clean animal) in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.