Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

Peter's Lunchtime Vision

Jason Wright

The book of Acts is fascinating. If you want to learn the history of the Lord's church, look no further. As you read about the early church and how it grew so fast, a pattern quickly shows itself. Preach the Gospel -people rejected the good news and people were saved -persecution comes for the saved -the Christians spread out -the church grows. This is a very interesting blueprint of the early growth of Christianity. Although the church was growing, the persecution often originated with the Jews as many of them rejected Christianity for Judaism. Changes were coming!

In Acts 10, Peter experienced a lunchtime vision. He was praying around noon and was hungry and was preparing to eat. At this point, he falls into a trance, and sees a sheet bound at all four corners lowered down from heaven. In the sheet were all kinds of animals and birds. A voice came to him saying, Rise, Peter, kill and eat. Peter refused. The Lord said, what God has cleansed you must not call common (polluted or unclean). This was done three times.

What did this vision mean? First, God confirms thru Peter that Gentiles would have the same access to salvation thru Jesus Christ that the Jews had. The barrier between Jew and Gentile had been removed. Later in chapter 10, Peter announces God shows no partiality, and that all men can be accepted by God if they fear Him and work righteousness (v. 35).

Later, we see that the Holy Spirit fell on those Gentiles in Cornelius' household. The baptism in water followed the Holy Spirt falling upon all who heard Peter's preaching. The Jews who travelled with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. They were speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then, Peter baptized them in the name of the Lord. The Jews and Gentiles were now part of the one body—the Church (Col.1:18).

A lot of people during this time had to overcome prejudices and not discriminate over bloodlines and economic status. Even Peter had to rise above and see people the way God saw them. Today, we serve that same God who does not discriminate. He has provided salvation thru His son for anyone who obeys thru repentance, confession and baptism. There is no room for discrimination in the Lord's church. A soul is a soul. Paul said in Galatians 3:28, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Reminder…this was written to Christians.

In a perfect world, Christians would not see the outside shell of folks, but realize each one has a soul. That soul is precious and outside of Christ is lost eternally. Watch what God does. Peter, a Jew, baptizes the first Gentiles. Peter had to make some changes and accept people as God accepted them. Prior to the baptisms, Peter witnesses Cornelius and his family receive the Holy Spirit as a sign Gentiles would be part of the kingdom. Peter would see that change is good.

The Church Is Not Swayed by Society

Dale J. Babinsky

"You need to get with the times." Such words are often meant as a rebuke: you are old-fashioned, out of step, or unwilling to accept society's changing standards. That pressure does not stop at the church door. Culture regularly urges Christians to revise their beliefs, soften difficult teachings, and treat popular opinion as the final authority. Yet Scripture calls the church to a different path. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind." God's Word, not society, must shape the church.

The Bible repeatedly shows the danger of wanting to be like everyone else. In 1 Samuel 8, Israel demanded a king "like all the nations." Though warned that a king would take their sons, daughters, land, and wealth, they refused to listen. Their desire to imitate surrounding nations became a rejection of God's rule. During Samson's time, Israel had become so comfortable under Philistine domination that its people tried to restrain the man God raised up to begin their deliverance (Judges 13:5; 15:7-12). Later, idolatry brought devastating consequences because God's people adopted the practices of their neighbors.

Christians are likewise called to remain distinct. Second Corinthians 6 contrasts righteousness with lawlessness, light with darkness, and the temple of God with idols. Separation from worldly values does not mean withdrawing from people or behaving with hostility. It means refusing to let sin become normal simply because society approves it.

We cannot love the world's rebellious ways and love the Father at the same time (1 John 2:15). The church must do more than resist culture; it must influence culture for good. Jesus calls His disciples the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt changes what it touches, and light is visibly different from darkness. Our distinctiveness is not intended to draw attention to ourselves, but to lead others to glorify God.

That influence is expressed in everyday conduct. Paul urges believers to live quietly, mind their own affairs, work faithfully, and behave properly toward outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12). Our speech should be gracious and wise, and our lives should be honorable even among those who disagree with us (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 2:11-12).

Customs differ across places and generations, but culture never outranks Scripture. God calls His people out of the world so they can become a holy influence within it. The church is right not to be swayed by society. Instead, it must be shaped by Christ, governed by His Word, and faithful as salt and light. The question for each of us is simple: Are we being conformed to the world, or transformed into the likeness of Jesus?

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