It’s NOT about food: Acts 10

If you have been following the Theological Word of the Day, you would have noticed a post in regards to Exegesis and Eisegesis link. Upon reading that post, you would have learned that eisegesis is the practice of “interpreting and reading information into the text that is not there.” In other words, the eisegete ignores context in favor of pretext; often interjecting their own experiences and worldview into the text. Eisegetes are either resistant to or ignorant of the principals of interpretation, i.e. Hermeneutics link. Eisegetes normally get their information from other eisegetes who have not been properly educated on the importance of biblical interpretation and in the use of the MANY tools available.

I have said it before. Every disciple and follower of Y'shua should have a Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Lexicon, a Concordance, and a Bible dictionary. To me, those are the basic items that should be present in every believer’s personal library. Don’t be intimidated by those things. Those items are stepping stones towards your growth and maturity as a believer. Discovering the depth of the Hebrew language and culture is fascinating. Learning about Aramaic idioms is eye-opening. In my educated opinion, it is important that we read the Word from a Hebraic perspective. The Bible is Hebraic after all. By doing so, you uncover things that make the Bible come alive even more. It’s awesome! I could go on and on about it, but that’s really not what this is about.

Well, let’s get to it then.

So, what am I getting at anyway? What does food and eisegesis have in common? Well, a lot since what I am about to examine is a common teaching in the Church. And hey, if you do not agree, feel free to examine the data and offer up a rebuttal. But be sure to use exegesis link and the principals of interpretation to do so. Otherwise, your rebuttal will look like conjecture to other readers.

If you would, go get your favorite translation of the Bible (not the Passion or Message “bibles”) and go to the Book of Acts chapter 10 verse 1. Yep, I am going there. I will be reading from the English Standard Version link. Let’s begin:

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.(Acts 10:1-8)

Let’s talk about Cornelius for a moment. This guy was no chump. He was a Centurion in the Roman military, which means he commanded at least 100 men. We also know that he was a “God-Fearer”. This is important to understand, because the term “God-Fearer” or “one who fears Elohim” speaks to what he is religiously/spiritually. Cornelius is not some Pagan Roman Gentile. He was a non-Jew who had adopted the religious practices of the Jews and was “well-spoken of by the whole Jewish nation”. He was not a follower of “The Way” and had not heard the Gospel. However, because of his devotion and sincerity to YHWH, a Messenger of Elohim came to him in a vision during his prayer. This would be the beginning of a very important moment in the Body of Messiah’s history. Let’s continue:

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 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. Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 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. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 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.”(Acts10:9-33)

“What God has made clean, do not call common.” So, what did God make clean? The unclean animals? And if it was so clear to Peter that he was now able to eat pork chops and crab, why was Peter “inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean”? Why was Peter “pondering the vision” if it was so straight forward and obvious? We’re talking about Peter here; an Apostle of Messiah who walked, talked, and ate with Y’shua Himself. If anyone knows the heart and intent of Messiah it’s Peter!

And you know what? It didn’t take long for Peter to figure it out. While he was pondering the vision, the three gentile men - two servants and a devout soldier – showed up with their message. They explained why he had been requested saying, “Cornelius was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” I believe that when Peter heard this, he began to understand the vision. Cornelius, a gentile, was directed by a holy angel? Yeah, I think Peter got it. But wait! It doesn’t end there.

Upon arriving at the household of Cornelius, Peter himself gives us the interpretation of the vision. He says to the household of Cornelius, “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.” Okay, let me repeat the best part of what Peter just said.

BUT GOD (YHWH Elohim) HAS SHOWN ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY PERSON COMMON OR UNCLEAN. He then goes on to say:

“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”(Acts 10:34-35)

GOD (YWHW Elohim) SHOWS NO PARTIALITY, BUT IN EVERY NATION ANYONE WHO FEARS HIM AND DOES WHAT IS RIGHT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HIM.

And if the vision concerning gentiles is not clear enough, Y’shua does something amazing that seals the deal and confirms to Peter that his interpretation of the vision is 100% correct:

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.(Acts 10:44-48)

After this amazing event in Church history that I am most grateful to the Heavenly Father for, Peter reported back to the brethren in Jerusalem of what took place. He said:

If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(Acts 11:17-18)

THEN TO THE GENTILES ALSO GOD (YHWH Elohim) HAS GRANTED REPENTANCE THAT LEADS TO LIFE.

We must be honest with ourselves here. Is this most important event in Church history about unclean animals? Does Peter’s vision undo what YHWH Himself put in place long before Mount Sinai? Can the reader honestly pull out of this event a declaration from YHWH Elohim Himself that the vision was about abolishing His dietary instructions for mankind? Come on. The vision has NOTHING to do with animals. YHWH was using unclean and clean animals as an example to Peter, because Peter knew full well what was clean and unclean. Peter got the point of the vision. As made very clear in the post, he knew what the vision meant and - in easy to understand words - gave the interpretation. Who are we to read into the Word something that is not there? Peter gave us the interpretation!

Making Acts 10 about food lessens the significance of the event. Making it about food takes away from what is really going on. It was AFTER this event that Rav Shaul (Paul) was called to preach Messiah crucified to the Gentiles. And the outpouring that took place at Cornelius', happened again and again, and again! I am thankful that it wasn't about food! It was about YOU and I. Man! Isn't HE awesome?!

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. We are all still learning and growing. And by the grace of the Almighty, I hope to continue on this journey with Him until I am called home. Let's not just read the Word. Let's study it! Let's meditate upon it! The Word of YHWH is awesome! Let's get excited about it.