Be Thou My Vision, Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
Vision: a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation. (Webster)
Horama=Greek for vision, an appearance, that which is seen.
In Acts 10 we meet Cornelius (Latin for "of a horn"). He is a Centurion which is like a Captain. They say he was over 600 men, and this was the special Italian cohort. So he was over hundreds of Italian soldiers.
Ceasarea (chez-ah-ree-ah) was the chief seaport of Palestine, a Roman capital and Roman military headquarters. Cornelius is one of three centurions mentioned favorably in the New Testament. There was one at the cross and we will meet another in Acts 27.
Cornelius was known as a "devout man". This meant he was not a pagan. He worshipped God, but was not a Jew. And being a Gentile, was not allowed in synagogues.
In some historical writings, there was a centurion mentioned in that same area who actually built a synagogue for the local Jews. He was well-thought of, and gave freely to help support the less fortunate.
Since Cornelius was not allowed in the synagogues, he would have to worship on his own and this is how we meet him. He is observing regular prayer time at 3pm.
About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" Acts 10:3
We discussed whether or not God speaks to us during prayer with visions or pictures in our mind's eye. It seemed to depend on where our heart was, if we were truly seeking God and an answer.
So God tells him his prayers and alms to the poor had been noticed in heaven. Can you imagine that? He must've been amazed that his Gentile prayers had been heard by Jehovah.
God sends him orders, "Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea." Acts 10:5-6
Note that he does not tell Cornelius to go. God wanted him to remain at his post. He wanted him to "dispatch some men". So he sends two servants and a soldier, (they were all devout) to the seaside home of Simon the Tanner--where Peter was staying.
In the meantime, Peter was on the rooftop of the tanner's home praying before mealtime. He actually went in to a trance.
Trance: a condition in which ordinary consciousness and the perception of natural circumstances were withheld and the soul was susceptible only to the vision imparted by God.
I have some input from my friend Jean LeStourgeon, a Christian counselor.
"Let's make a distinction - Peter's trance (the word used only 3 times in the new testament - 2 times Peter spoke of the trance and 1 time refers to a trance that Paul was in after he was saved. All recorded in Acts) was a vision from God. He did not try to conjure it up, he was praying at first, but then he was actually waiting for his meal when the vision came.
Meditation in the Christian sense is an active contemplation of God's word - like a cow chewing it's cud (Spurgeon). Eastern meditation is seeking after a spiritual experience (in yoga it is a gradual process of "becoming one with Brahman" in the sense of loosing your self. But they don't believe one can really know god personally - they believe everything is illusion (what deception they are under!)
The scriptures do not teach anything like this - it's more like - let the word dwell in you richly (col 3) . Eat it, memorize it and by the Holy Spirit, it will renew your mind and enlighten you to the greatness of God. All the disciplines of the Christian faith will result in greater personal knowledge of Christ, His work, greater love, desire for obedience, personal righteousness and holiness. "
So Peter has this vision during prayer time, and he was hungry. In this vision, a sheet is dropped from heaven and it is filled with all kinds of animals that are considered unclean or "not kosher". God gives him instructions to "kill and eat". Peter is adamant about refusing to eat these unclean animals, but God tells him, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." Acts 10:15
It's important that you note that God told him three times to do this. As a Jew, when you are seeking forgiveness from someone, it is Jewish tradition that you must ask three times. If the other party does not forgive you, it then becomes their burden and you have done all you can.
The Talmud says when one asks to convert to Judaism, you must ask three times. This shows the rabbi that you are sure of your decision. So could it be that Peter is in essence "converting" from Judaism to Christianity here?
Many commentaries say that God was preparing Peter to accept the Gentiles in Christ's church body. Since they were considered "unclean" by Jewish standards, Peter would have refused the team Cornelius is sending to him. In fact, they are knocking at the door of the tanner's house. Peter comes off the roof top and asks them what they want.
They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you." So he invited them in and gave them lodging. Acts 10:22-23
Do you wonder if he would have been just as gracious if he had not had that vision from God? I doubt it.
So the next day they travel back to Cornelius' home and find him ready to receive whatever Peter has to tell him. He has even gathered friends and family--he does not want them to miss out on the message he knew Peter had for them.
We think Peter is still a bit skeptical because he asks Cornelius why he wanted him there. So Cornelius recounts his vision to Peter. And he finishes with "Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." Acts 10:33b
This was just the opening Peter was looking for, and he shared the Gospel.
I am reminded of instances of family gatherings or friends meeting for dinner. Are you the one they normally ask to pray over the meal? During deep discussions, do people ask you what you think and wait? This is your door to share the Gospel with people! We are not to beat people over the head with our Bibles and force instruction down their throats. We have to make sure the Spirit has already prepared their hearts to receive the Gospel. Or we are just wasting our breath. Watch for these invitations, these doors creaking open. If you are living what you believe, there will be ample opportunities to share the Good News with others. We just have to be obedient to God's leading and listen for that opportunity that comes along.
So Peter simply "opens his mouth" and the Holy Spirit does the rest. Often, we don't know what to say. BUT, if you read your Bible, pray and learn all you can you will be prepared to have answers for people. We just have to trust that God will give us the words to speak. It should be as easy as opening your mouth.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. Acts 10:44
This was the final confirmation for Peter. This is the only instance recorded of the Spirit falling on unbaptized persons. *Once the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles, he had no doubt that the Good News was for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Note that he didn't have to lay hands on the Gentiles for them to receive the Holy Spirit, he just had to speak.
Bill Graham said in his book, The Holy Spirit:
"Cornelius was a Gentile, and his conversion marked still another step
in the spread of the Gospel. The baptism of the Spirit which came to him and his
household showed conclusively that God's love extended to the Gentiles as well.
In view of all this, no Christian need strive, wait, or "pray through
to get the Spirit." He has received Him already, not as a result of struggle and
work, agonizing and prayer, but as an unmerited and unearned gift of
grace."
And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 10:48
High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Be Thou My Vision, Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
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Be Thou My Vision, Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century, tr. by Mary E. Byrne
Some notes come from People's New Testament, searchgodsword.org.
Billy Graham, The Holy Spirit
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