Acts 10:17-23 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold… I. THE CALL TO ACTION FOLLOWING THE REVELATION OF FAITH. Peter was in perplexity at this astounding vision of the sheet let down from heaven. Every Jewish prejudice was confuted by it, and a new view of the purpose of God in the gospel, quite dazzling to his unaccustomed sight, was opened. Well might he hesitate. But when God gives us a new view of truth and duty, it is not long before he calls us to act upon it. So in this case. Often do feelings in the mind thus coincide with outward occurrences. They join hands and irresistibly indicate the will of God. While Peter is inquiring the meaning of what he had seen, he is being inquired for by the strangers at the door. Then comes the inward intimation of the Spirit: "Lo, three men are seeking for thee." II. THE CLEARNESS AND EXPLICITNESS OF THE DIVINE CALL. "Arise, go down, go with them, doubt nothing; I have sent them." Happy for us when the path of duty is made equally clear. Let us remember that the light is given to those who are sincere, and serve God in simplicity of heart. And when the clear call is heard, unhesitatingly must be the obedience. "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." The habit of conferring with flesh and blood, i.e. with inclination and disinclination, obscures the conscience, and, perhaps, destroys our hope of future inspirations. "I never rise so high," said Cromwell, "as when I know not whither I am going," that is, in obedience to the Divine call. So Peter went forth to meet the men. III. THE MEANING OF THE CALL EXPLAINED. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, has sent for him. A just and pious man is he, the servant says. Here, then, the vision begins to explain itself. What has the Roman to do with the Jew? Everything, if God brings them together. And that this was here the case was too evident to be ignored. For while God was revealing his will in one way to Peter in a vision, drawing the thought of the apostle toward the Gentile, in another way he was speaking to the Roman, impelling him to send to the apostle, that he might listen to his teaching. What secret attractions of Providence bring lives together! Do we sufficiently consider this? The great lesson reflected both from the conduct of Peter and that of Cornelius is that we should be prompt to obey Divine calls, whether to do good or to seek good. Willingness to receive and to give is the great condition of being rightly led. To speak good words to others may be, for some, the noblest function; to listen to them, for others, the greatest means of blessing. It is the Divine will to bring the speaker and the hearer together, the teacher and the disciple. Let each, then, be true to the voice within. - J. Parallel Verses KJV: Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, |
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