The physician Luke wrote how two servants and a soldier of Cornelius went to Joppa to find Peter. After arriving at Simon's house where Peter was staying, they met Peter and convinced him to go see their master Cornelius. After entering Cornelius house, Peter found many people gathered there, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told the people, “it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation” where we read:
You 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 has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
The verse begins, “You 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;” Luke began with the words, “you know how that it is an unlawful thing” which means “you, Cornelius and the people gathered in his house, are aware, perceive and understand that it is contrary to law and justice, illicit and criminal” “for a man that is a Jew” or “because, since and on account that a person who exists as belonging to the Jewish nation by birth, origin or religion” “to keep company” which means “to be joined to or fastened firmly together”, “or come unto one of another nation” or “or make entrance, draw near or approach a person who belongs to a foreign or Gentile group of people of the same genus or nature”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people assembled in his house they “knew” it was against the Jewish “law” for “Jews” to be “joined” to “Gentiles”.
The verse goes on to say, “but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” Luke continued with the words, “but God” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has showed me” or “has exposed and given evidence to me, Peter” “that I should not call any man” which means “that I, Peter, am not in any way to affirm, maintain and mention that any person whether male or female is” “common” or “ordinary, unhallowed or profane” “or unclean” which means “or in a ceremonial sense immoral, morally lewd and foul”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people gathered with him that “God” told him not to label anyone as being “unhallowed or morally lewd”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people within his home that God let him know what was previously thought to be “unlawful” was not the way he was to label people who were not Jews. God loves people, both Jews and Gentiles, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Anyone, regardless of their nation or origin, may come to Jesus, repent of their sins and ask Him for forgiveness. He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who are wise will realize they are also among the people God desires to reach with His “gospel of salvation”.
Next time Luke shares how Peter says, “therefore came I unto you without gainsaying”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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