Written by Yahusha's Student: LUKE (the Doctor) ...
1 In the city of Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a Roman Army Officer in what was called the Italian Unit. 2 He and all the others who lived in his house were dedicated followers of Alahim. He gave much of his money to help the poor people and always prayed to Alahim. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, Cornelius had a vision. He clearly saw an Angel from Alahim coming to him and saying, “Cornelius!”
4 Staring at the Angel and feeling afraid, Cornelius said,
“What do you want, Master?”
“Alahim has heard your prayers and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you’ve done. 5 Send some men now to the city of Joppa to get a man named Simon, who is also called Peter. 6 He is staying with someone also named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.”
7 The Angel who spoke to Cornelius left. Then Cornelius called two of his servants and a soldier. The soldier was also a dedicated man, one of his close helpers. 8 Cornelius explained everything to these three men and sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day they were coming near Joppa about noon, when Peter was going up to the roof to pray. 10 He was hungry and wanted to eat. But while they were preparing the food downstairs, YAHUSHA put Peter into a trance.
AN `OUT-OF-BODY' EXPERIENCE TO SEE & HEAR DIVINE TRUTHS FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION. WHAT COMES OUT OF PETER'S MOUTH WAS NOT HIS OWN, FOR HE WAS IN A YAHUSHA-INDUCED TRANCE, ESSENTIALLY OBSERVING A CONVERSATION BETWEEN HIMSELF AND YAHUSHA!
11 He saw the Heaven opened and something like a big sheet being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up Peter - kill anything you want here and eat it.” 14 But Peter said, “No way! I can’t do that Master! For i’ve never eaten anything common or unclean!" 15 And a voice came to him again the 2nd time, “What I've cleansed you don't call COMMON!” 16 This happened three times, then the whole sheet was taken back up into the Heaven. And Peter was left, doubting inside himself and wondering what the vision meant.
WHY SO CONFUSED? PETER WAS BEWILDERED BECAUSE THE WORDS REFERRING TO THE ANIMALS IN HIS TRANCE WEREN’T FOOD TERMS AT ALL - (IF A FOOD WASN'T TO BE EATEN IT WAS CALLED `FORBIDDEN' AND IF IT WAS ALLOWED IT WAS CALLED `PERMITTED') ... SO IT WAS LIKE A HIDDEN PARABLE AND THE TERMS WERE NOT DESCRIBING ANIMALS, BUT THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF PEOPLE! BUT WHICH PEOPLE WERE YAHUSHA SPEAKING ABOUT??
17 But right then, the men Cornelius sent had found Simon’s house, and they were standing at the gate. 18 They asked, “Is Simon Peter staying here?” 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, YAHUSHA said to him, “Listen, three men are looking for you. 20 Get up now and go downstairs. And no more doubting or wondering what’s going on ok! Because I sent them.” 21 So Peter went downstairs and said to them, “I think I’m the man you’re looking for. Why did you come here?”
22 The men said, “A set-apart Angel told Cornelius to invite you to his house. He is an Army officer, a good man who serves Alahim, and all the Jewish people respect him. The Angel told him to invite you to his house so that he can listen to what you have to say.” 23 So Peter asked the men to come in and stay for the night. WHAT?? HE INVITED GENTILES IN TO STAY THE NIGHT?? AND ROMANS (WHO WERE HATED) AT THAT!! THAT'S A BIG `NO NO' FOR JEWS !!
Then the next day Peter got ready and went away with the three men. Some of the believers from Joppa also went with him. 24 The next day they came to the city of Caesarea, and Cornelius was waiting for them, and had already gathered his relatives and close friends at his house. 25 When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him, falling down at Peter’s feet. 26 But Peter said, “Stand up! I’m just a man like you.”
27 Peter continued talking with Cornelius, before going inside, where he saw a large group of people gathered there. 28 Peter was surprised and said to the people, “You understand that it’s against our law for a Jew to visit or associate with anyone who's of a different nation, don’t you? ... But Alahim has shown me that I shouldn’t consider anyone common or say they are unclean. 29That’s why I didn’t argue when your men asked me to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”
30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was praying in my house. It was at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly there was someone standing before me wearing bright, shiny clothes. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, Alahim has heard your prayer and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you have done. 32 So send some men to the city of Joppa and tell Simon Peter to come. He is staying with another man named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately. It was very good of you to come here. Now we’re all here before Alahim to hear everything the Master has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Peter began to speak: “WOW, I can really see that YAHUSHA shows no partiality, DOESN'T LIFT UP ONE PEOPLE OVER ANOTHER 35for whoever fears Him and behaves righteously is accepted by Him…no matter what nation they come from. 36 Alahim has spoken to the people of Yisharal and sent them the Good News that peace has come through YAHUSHA MESSIAH, the Master of all people. 37 You know what’s happened all over Judea don’t you? It began in Galilee after John told the people they needed to repent and be immersed. 38 And you know about YAHUSHA from Nazareth, Who YAHUAH anointed as the Messiah by giving Him His Divine Spirit and power. YAHUSHA went everywhere doing good for people and hearing those who were oppressed by the Devil, showing that Alahim was with Him. 39 We witnessed all that YAHUSHA did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But then they killed Him on a timber stake. 40 But on the third day Alahim raised Him back to life and let Him be seen openly, 41 not by everyone, but only by us, the ones Alahim chose to be witnesses. We ate and drank with Him after He was raised from the dead. 42 Then YAHUSHA told us to go and be His witnesses, telling the people that He is the one Alahim chose to be the Judge of all who are living and all who have died. 43 And all the prophets bear witness of this truth: that everyone who believes in YAHUSHA will have their sins forgiven through His Name.”
44 And while Peter was still speaking these words, the set-apart Spirit rushed down on all those who were listening to him. 45 Then those of the circumcision (JEWS) who came with Peter were amazed that YAHUSHA'S Spirit had also been poured out as a free gift on those of the uncircumcision (GENTILES). 46 They heard them speaking different languages (TONGUES) and praising YAHUAH through the power of YAHUSHA'S Spirit. Then Peter said, 47“Wow, well so be it! How can anyone stop these people from being immersed in water now? Afterall, they’ve received the set-apart Spirit the same as we did!” 48 So Peter told them to immerse Cornelius and his relatives and friends in the Name of YAHUSHA MESSIAH. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Comments