Acts 10:13–15, In Peter’s vision of the sheet covered with unclean animals, the voice from heaven commanded him three times to kill and eat these unclean animals. Peter was confused by the meaning of this vision since being a Torah-law abiding Jew he knew that eating unclean meat was forbidden and in good conscience he could not do that which was contrary to YHVH’s Torah-law, for to do so was sin (sin is the violation of the law, 1 John 3:4).
Often visions are metaphorical in nature and not literal. There are many examples in the Scriptures of people receiving metaphorical visions. For example, read the books of Daniel and Revelation. Indeed, Peter’s vision was no exception, for no sooner had the vision ended when three Gentile men appeared at his door seeking the gospel message and the Spirit of Elohim bade Peter to go and to meet them. Peter then realized that the interpretation of his vision was that he should not call any man common or unclean; that is, the gospel message is for all people regardless of their ethnicity (verse 28). In Peter’s case, Bible itself interprets his vision. The issue is not about whether it is now permissible to eat non-kosher meat or not, but rather the Spirit of Elohim was directing the apostles to begin taking the gospel to the Gentiles, who by Jewish standards were considered common and unclean (verse 28).
Now consider this. If Yeshua had meant to say in Matthew 15:11 and Mark 7:18–19 that it was now permissible to eat all foods including those meats that the Torah prohibits to be eaten (e.g., pork, shellfish, etc.), presumably Peter would have known this, since he was present when Yeshua made the statement (see Matt 15:15). If Peter knew that Yeshua had given the okay for his disciples now to eat unclean meat, why then did Peter so strongly object when the voice from heaven commanded him to eat the unclean animals in the vision (Acts 10:13–14)? Obviously, Peter had not changed his opinion about not eating unclean meat, since Yeshua had never annulled the Torah command forbidding the eating of unclean meats in the first place.
I have several people I would like to read this! Yes, it was not the food but the Gentiles were to come in to The Kingdom! Yod Hey Vav Hey Word is now and forever just as He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Thank you, good Word!
Amen! Great insight. Now if one can grasp and believe what the Torah teaches about clean/unclean; that it is still in place not done away with.Halleluyah
Why would God use the unclean animals to show that the Gentiles were not to be called unclean if He did not also want us to understand that he created all things including animals and now the animals in the vision should be considered clean just as the Gentiles who were considered unclean by Jews in that day. Obviously, He used Peter for the simple fact that Peter also needed to understand that He has now cleaned both Gentile men and beasts including the beasts they eat. Why did he tell Peter to kill and eat. Why did he tell the Gentile Galatians that they were being foolish trying to keep the law. He said who has “bewitched” you. No man is justified by keeping the Old Testament Laws. In Christ the Old Levital laws are fulfilled. God created all things through Christ. They are all His just like the Gentiles. Peter was still weak because the Bible says he ate with Gentiles until the Jews came around, so Paul -evidently a stronger follower of Christ-rebuked Peter for his hypocrisy. Please people, except the freedom of Christ. Not eating certain meats does not justify you before Christ. Stop twisting God’s word to fit your weaknesses, pride, wants, and desires. WriteousBeauty!
Then according to you, Elohim/God was telling Peter to sin by eating pork. Doe this make your explanation of Acts 10 an impossible one? This is because the Bible says that sin is the violation of the YHVH’s Torah-law (1 John 3:4), the very same law which forbids the eating of unclean meats which the Word of Elohim also calls an abomination. Therefore, by your logic, Elohim is the author of sin, and commanded us to sin or to go against his Word when he told Peter to eat unclean meat. Frankly, this is blasphemous since it makes Elohim not only the author of sin, but it is our sin that sent Yeshua/Jesus to the cross, and now we’re being told that it’s alright to sin based on your interpretation of Peter’s vision in Acts 10. NO! YOU are the one who is not only violating, breaking and twisting the clear Word of Elohim, but you are also turning the grace and laws of Elohim which were given to us for your own good, blessing and as our standard of righteousness and holiness into licentiousness. You have also sublimated the Word and laws of Elohim to your own sinful, carnal tastes and desire for unclean meat, which means you’re putting your own sinful desires above the Word, commands and Truth of Elohim; therefore, your belly has become a little god or idol to you, for the Bible teaches us again and again that anything that we lift up and follow above the Word of Elohim is, by Bible definition, an idol or little god to us.
The YHVH Elohim IS NOT a man that he should like; he does not change; his Word or Truth is the same yesterday, today and forever; therefore, his standards of righteousness and definition of holiness does not change. What was right and good in times past is still right and good today including his dietary standards which are a fundamental aspect of living a righteous and holy life.
You can attempt to lower the standards of YHVH to suit your taste buds, but I will not. We will all answer to YHVH-Yeshua on judgment day for our actions or works vis-à-vis our obedience to the Word and the laws and commandments of Elohim. Therefore, you will never convince me or any other righteous person to violate Elohim’s laws or commands, or of any no so-called interpretation of a Bible verse that supposedly permits us to do so. Such nonsense will never be accepted on this (my) blog. I bless you and wish you well as you cogitate on these hard facts.
Moreover, my dear friend, there is nothing righteous (“writeous”) about twisting the Word of Elohim to make it go against itself and to turn Elohim into a liar, ignoring his commands, and making him the author of sin—the very thing that sent his dear Son to the cross. Righteousness by biblical definition is obedience to his written standards of righteousness as recorded in his Word including the dietary laws of Leviticus 11 and elsewhere.
What I have given you is Truth. It is your choice to accept or reject it. Reject it at your own peril as you try to explain to Elohim on judgment day why his Word didn’t matter to you, and you chose to listen to the serpent in the tree who enticed the first humans to question the Word of Elohim and then violate his clear commands, which was the first sin which brought all of the mess on the earth that we see today including necessitating Yeshua going to the cross. Amein and amein.
These are harsh, tough love words, but you need to hear the Truth so you can turn from your sin and be blessed. I will be praying for you. Blessings!