Luke the physician wrote how “the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, you went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, ...”, and in chapter eleven and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter said, “and in a trance I saw a vision” where we read:
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
The verse begins, “I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, ...” Luke began with the words, “I was in the city of Joppa” which means “I, Peter, was staying and abiding within the dwelling place, town and habitation known as Joppa or Japho whose name means beautiful and was a city of Palestine on the Mediterranean, lying on the border of the tribes of Dan and Ephraim” “praying” or “making orations, supplicating and worshiping God”: “and in a trance” which means “and within a throwing of the mind out of its normal state, alienation of mind, amazement, wonderment and displacement of the mind” “I saw a vision” or “I, Peter, observed, noticed and discerned a sight divinely granted spectacle or ecstasy”. Luke shared how “Peter” began to the the Jewish “apostles and believers” about “praying” in “Joppa” and having a “vision” from the Lord.
The verse continues, “... A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:” Luke added the words, “a certain vessel descend” which means “a particular implement, household utensil or domestic gear coming down”, “as it had been a great sheet” or “as though it were a large, massive and spacious fine white linen cloth”, “let down from heaven” which means “sent down from the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “by four corners” or “by the four corners of the sheet” “and it came even to me” which means “and the linen sheet arose and appeared to me, Peter”. Luke shared how “Peter” recounted his story about the “great sheet” descending from “heaven” toward him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” was telling his story about receiving a “vision” from God while he was praying in “Joppa”. The “linen sheet” let down from heaven was the inspiration for “Peter” going to the “Gentiles”. God wanted His “gospel” through His Son Jesus to be told throughout the world, and because He loves everybody, He wants them to be in a relationship with Him. Let all who read this “recounting” of “Peter's” story understand the wonderful love of Jesus and His desire for them to yield their lives to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Peter told the Jewish believers, “I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air”, 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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