Ecstasy

Open Door Baptist Church

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
( Acts 10:1-16 )

Ecstasy

The Big Picture

We have learned about Saul’s road to Damascus experience and his meeting with Ananias where he learned that he was a chosen vessel who would take the gospel of salvation to the gentiles.

This was followed by an evangelistic revival in the area around Antioch where followers of Christ were first called Christians.

Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find Saul, being well aware that this is what he has been called to be a part of.

Today’s passage is more spiritual motion in the direction of helping the Jews understand that their time of Divine exclusivity has ended. Grace is for everyone. However, this is going to be tricky.

Peter’s Trance

ἔκστασις – ekstasis

a displacement (of the mind), bewilderment, ecstasy
(properly: distraction or disturbance of mind caused by shock), bewilderment, amazement; a trance.
completely remove
properly, take out of regular position (standing) and bring into a state of ecstasy (rapture)
like a person “carried out” in trance-like amazement. This state of mind reaches far beyond the powers of ordinary perception.

Peter’s trance is designed to help him understand that the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law don’t apply to Christians. By extension, this means that everyone can be a Christian, it is not just for the Jews.

Leviticus 11

Allowed Animals

v. 3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud

In the Waters

v. 9 whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters

Arthropods

v. 21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

Locust
Bald Locust
Beetle
Grasshopper

Forbidden Animals

v. 4 cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; v. 7 clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud

Camel
Coney (rabbit)
Hare (rabbit)
Swine

In the waters

v. 12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

Fowls

Eagle
Ossifrage
Osprey
Vulture
Kite
Raven
Owl
Night Hawk
Cuckow
Hawk
Little Owl
Cormorrant
Great Owl
Swan
Pelican
Gier Eagle
Stork
Heron
Lapwing
Bat

Terrestrial Animals

Weasel
Mouse
Tortoise
Ferret
Chamelion
Lizard
Snail
Mole

And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
( Leviticus 11:41-42 )

This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
( Leviticus 11:46-47 )