Snoopy Approaches Acts

Welcome to Wondercafe2!

A community where we discuss, share, and have some fun together. Join today and become a part of it!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Today's text is a straightforward tale of miraculous signs and church expansion.

The narrative in Acts will soon become decidedly weirder. Stay tuned!
 
Aeneas is an interesting name but not sure it's that significant here. In Roman mythology and in the great Augustan epic The Aeneid, Aeneas is the ancestor of the Roman people, a Trojan prince who escaped the fall of Troy and ended up in Italy after a lengthy voyage. But I don't see how that would play in here symbolically. Though you would think the author was aware of the story and name, so maybe my brain is just not drawing the right lines.

The resurrection of Tabitha is interesting. There's some Lazarus vibes but its also a bit different. Her role in the community seems quite high and important, and it is interesting that they sent for Peter. Was that because he was a key leader and they wanted his leadership in the moment or did they expect he might be able to bring this about?

Certainly, both miracles bring some focus to Peter after the dramatic tale of Saul's conversion.
 
Many of the stories in Acts remind me of the Gospels in different ways. Does the author want us to see continuity with the life of Jesus?

The echoes might be very deliberate.
 
Does the author want us to see continuity with the life of Jesus?
That's the idea, I would think. The Apostles are carrying on Jesus' mission and bringing others (like Ananias who healed Saul) onboard to extend it further. So having stories that parallel or mirror stories about Jesus fits that narrative. Hence the Lazarus vibes in Tabitha's resurrection.
 
So we see the Apostle Peter was travelling through the land ---he visits Saints in Lydda
he finds a man named Aeneas who was bedridden for 8 years

The number 8 appears so it has meaning here ----


The number 8 represents a new beginning, meaning a new order or creation, and man's true "born again" event when he is resurrected from the dead into eternal life

So this bedridden man is going to have a new beginning through his being healed -----

AMP -----.Verse 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” Immediately Aeneas got up.

This is important to NOTE -----Peter says who is the Healer ----Jesus is our Healer and Physician in this world still today ------It is Jesus' Faith that Heals not our Faith ----

We see that because of this healing ---many came to the Lord ----

the Apostle Peter then goes to Joppa and meets a disciple named Tabitha, (which translated into Greek means Dorcas )

This lady was known for her continual acts of kindness and Agape ---she also made tunics and robes ----she became sick and died ---

This shows that true Christians will do good works not for themselves but for their love of God --Right Faith produces good works done out of Agape and gives God the Credit -----

2 men were sent to get Peter as they heard he was near by ----

Peter arrived and told everyone to leave the room -----it doesn't say why Peter told the to leave --so we can only speculate as to this request ----

My view is He wanted and needed a peaceful space so he could pray without any distractions before he raised her and he wouldn't want anyone misinterpreting what was about to happen

We humans when witnessing a miracle can conjure up all kinds of different interpretation of what we witnessed in our minds and tell others wrongly -----so Peter I believe was using good Judgment and wisdom here in this situation ----

Notice -----he knelt down and prayed and while praying turned to her body ------and says “Tabitha, arise!” -------and she opens her eyes ----and she sits up and then stands and Peter calls the Saints back in ----

The News spread and many came to believe and received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour - -----
Peter then stays a bit with Simon --a tanner in Joppa ----

So this is my take on what we see here ----

We see the movement of Christ's Faith and the power of the Cross ---

The power of our soul and spirit being resurrected to life after our physical death----

These dead people being resurrected in Scripture is more like a resuscitation ---as these people who were resurrected will still die a physical death ---to shed their physical body ---and live eternally in their glorified body ----

So death for believers is a transition from this Physical life to an eternal spiritual life with God ---
Jesus came to bring all people a way back to having eternal life -----

He came first for the Jewish Nation ---and then to the Gentiles -----

We Gentiles should be very grateful to the Jewish Nation who were God's first chosen who through them brought Salvation to all people -----

1755698642008.png

John 4:22 EXP B

22 You Samaritans worship something you don’t understand. We [C Jews] understand what we worship, because salvation comes from the Jews [C because the Messiah who brings salvation comes through the Jews].

I say ------Before Jesus came ---we were all destined to Hell --no one was going to reside in heaven -----
 
Acts 10:1-8

Today we meet Cornelius, a Roman Centurion living in Caesarea. He is devout & God fearing, along with his household. He does many acts of charity and prays to God regularly.

At about three o' clock in the afternoon, he has a vision of an angel of God.

The angel instructs him to send men to Joppa and summon Peter, who is staying at the house of Simon the tanner.

Cornelius obeys the bidding of the angel and sends three men to Joppa.
 
God is breaking into human history beyond the boundaries of the Jewish faith. Jesus did the same in the Gospels

Cornelius will become one of the first Gentile converts to Christianity.

Notice that Peter has been staying at the house of Simon the Tanner. Tanners were considered ritually unclean by the Jews.

Interesting that three men are sent to find Peter. Does anyone see parallels with the Magi from the East?
 
It's also interesting that Cornelius is called devout because he prays regularly and does acts of charity. Nothing is said about how he follows the Law (or not) or what he believes.

Does this not echo the Hebrew Scriptures where they say to love God and love your neighbor as yourself? Jesus said this too, of course.

And the rabbi Hillel said everything else is commentary.
 
we see in the first verse of Chapter 10 ----

AMPC B
10 Now [living] at Caesarea there was a man whose name was Cornelius, a centurion (captain) of what was known as the Italian Regiment

That Cornelius was a Centurion Captain in the Italian Regiment ----so he was no little joe he had status ----

a little bit here on Caesarea


Caesarea, often called Caesarea Maritima to differentiate it from Caesarea Philippi, was an important port city in the first century AD and the site of numerous events in the book of Acts. Caesarea Maritima is located about 30 miles north of modern Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast. In ancient times, it boasted one of the world’s largest artificial harbors and was a center of Roman governance in the region. In the New Testament, it is mentioned only in the book of Acts.

Verse 2--gives us a glimpse into who Cornelius was ----as well as his family ----seems the whole household was Saved -----

2 A devout man who venerated God and treated Him with reverential obedience, as did all his household; and he gave much alms to the people and prayed continually to God.

So we see Cornelius at 3 pm ----sees a vision ----and angel of God appears to him and he is frightened ---

verse 3 ----he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God entering and saying to him, Cornelius!

He was frightened by this vision who called his name -and he tells us who this angel is ----and Cornelius said
What is it, Lord? ------so this vision was the speaking to him ----not just an angelic being ----it was God ---my guess ------probably the Holy Spirit ?????????-----

So here Cornelius is being remembers for his good heart --and steadfast personal relationship he has with God ----praying often and doing good works that
bring Glory to God ---

So the Angel gives him instructions here

Verse 5 ----send men to Joppa and have them call for and invite here a certain Simon whose surname is Peter

Cornelius is told where Simon is staying and where the house is ---so he is given details here -
Verse 6----- He is lodging with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.

After the angel leaves ----Cornelius obeys right away ----

Verse 7
Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier from among his own personal attendants.

Note here ----that the Soldier he calls is one who reverences God -----

and after he explains everything to them he sends them to Joppa

This is a very important moment here as this is Salvation being offered to the Gentiles ----

The Gentile Nation is now being Grafted into God's plan of bridging the gap between God and mankind ----all are now seen as worthy to be saved -----no one is left out -----

Not only is Salvation now being offered to both Jews and Gentiles ---but under the Salvation package ---there is no Jew or Gentile as all are one under Christ ----

God reaching out to all who want to receive His free Graced gift of Salvation

1755795207295.png
 
Acts 10:9-23
Peter goes up to the roof to pray around noon of the next day. The three men sent by Cornelius are still approaching.

A trance comes over Peter and he sees heaven opened. An object something like a large sheet is let down to earth by its four corners. It holds all kinds of animals & reptiles of the earth and wild birds.

Peter hears a voice telling him to "slaughter and eat". Peter protests that he has never eaten anything defiled or ritually unclean.

"What God has made clean, you must not consider ritually unclean," the voice responds. This happens three times and the object is taken back to heaven.

While Peter is pondering the meaning of this, the Spirit tells him three men are looking for him. Go with them, Peter is told.

Peter goes down and greets them. They explain that Cornelius was directed by an angel to summon Peter to his house. So Peter invites them in and entertains them as guests.
 
We see today that Peter has a remarkable encounter with the Divine as he prays up there on his roof. The text tells us that he was hungry and wanted to eat.

God seems to have changed the rules
about something extremely important to the Jews. No longer are certain animals and birds forbidden for consumption!

And Peter is being directed to go to Cornelius, a Roman Centurion. Again we hear that Cornelius is righteous and God fearing. The whole Jewish nation speaks well of him. (v.22)

Something important is about to happen!
 
So while the 2 men Cornelius sent to Joppa are still travelling to see Peter --Peter goes to the rooftop to pray as is the custom for all Jews to pray at noon ---(the six hour )

Peter gets hungry and wants something to eat ----

Here we see the Spirit of Distraction
I say -------This is so typical when one tries to pray ----a distraction comes to take your focus away from your praying ----this of course is :devil: trying to interfere with the prayer getting to God ----:devil: job is to keep you from communicating with God or His word -----

So God in His typical way of using Evil for Good ----puts Peter in a trans like state and sends him a vision of the very thing he wants ----Food to eat ----

Now under Jewish laws ---there were Food restrictions remember -----

But take NOTE-- here in the Vision that God has included both Unclean and Clean animals for Peter to eat -----

verse 11-12 AMP ---- gives us this vision

11 and he saw the sky opened up, and a object like a great sheet descending, lowered by its four corners to the earth,
12 and it contained all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air

God says to Peter ---“Get up, Peter, kill and eat!-----

Peter says NO! to God's request ----and Peter has said NO to God before so this wasn't something new for Peter ---he said No to Jesus dying on the Cross -==he said No to him denying Jesus 3 times --

From AI on unclean and clean animals etc in God's laws ---
Meat Laws
  • Allowed:
    Animals that have cloven (split) hooves and chew the cud are considered clean. Examples include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and antelope.

  • Forbidden:
    Animals that do not meet both criteria are unclean. This includes pigs, horses, donkeys, and other animals like snakes.
Fish Laws
  • Allowed:
    Only fish that have both fins and scales are considered clean and permitted for consumption.

  • Forbidden:
    Fish without scales, like catfish and sharks, as well as shellfish such as crabs, clams, oysters, and shrimp, are forbidden.
Bird Laws
  • Allowed:
    Clean birds include domestic fowl like chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

  • Forbidden:
    Birds of prey and scavengers, such as eagles, hawks, vultures, and owls, are forbidden.

I say ------Poor Peter a law that was ingrained in him so deeply that he cannot do as God commands ----
He defends himself by saying he has never eaten anything that was deemed unholy

God speaks to Peter for the Second and Third time -----and corrects him ----

“What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, no longer consider common (unholy)

and Peter is perplexed as to what God is trying to get him to Spiritually see ----at this point

This is so true of true Christians who remain in their Carnal state in my view ----their mindset is still half in the world's ways and half in God's ways ---they remain confused as to Spiritual things ----

This vision of course is not about Food

God is using the food in a symbolic way to get Peter to listen -----as he is hungry to eat

it is about bringing Salvation to the once considered unholy Nation (the Gentiles) into the Salvation package as Christ's Blood that was shed paved the way for the sins of all people to be removed and be cleansed so if they choose can be accepted into the sheep fold ---

So we see the men Cornelius sent arrive at Simon's gate --so Peter hears from the Holy Spirit and says 3 men are looking for you ----

Verse 20 is Important here as he is told this ------

20 Get up, go downstairs and go with them without hesitating or doubting, because I have sent them Myself.”

I say
---these men of course are Gentiles ---so Peter is not to doubt or hesitate to greet them or serve them ---as they were sent by the Holy Spirit

-----Doubting and Hesitating in this Physical world Folks --- is seen as mainly Positive as it can keep you from harm at times ---

Doubting and Hesitating in God's Spiritual realm when He speaks to our heart is Deemed as Negative as it means you will miss a great opportunity that God wants for you to obtain or learn from ---

As what is happening to Peter right now ----God wants him to understand that the people that were once deemed unclean and unholy ---the Gentiles---- are no longer and wants Peter to be able to Preach His Good News to both the Jews and Gentiles ---the Gentiles are now Grafted into the Salvation Package ----

So Peter obeys immediately ----and meets the men and asked for what reason they have come

Verse 22 ----They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man well spoken of by all the Jewish people, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear what you have to say.”

So Peter accepts them and invites them in and they stay the night -----

My guess is -------that Peter is Preaching to them the New Good of Salvation ----:angel:
 
@unsafe
Peter is up there praying at the appointed time despite his hunger. I took this as a sign of his faithfulness. His appetite didn't strike me as a sign of temptation by the devil.

Being hungry at noon seems normal to me. I just assumed Peter hadn't eaten lunch yet. Someone, in fact, is preparing food for him but the cook is not identified.

God demonstrates finessed timing here. What better time to change the Jewish dietary restrictions?

And God couples these instructions with information about the three men sent by Cornelius. It's a moment for moving from the past into the future.
 
His appetite didn't strike me as a sign of temptation by the devil.
He was distracted from his Parying ----

God does not distract anyone from their Praying time ---Satan does ----

AI
Peter was "distracted" from his prayer in Acts 10

Acts 10 – Cornelius, Peter, and the Conversion of Gentiles​


Enduring Word
https://enduringword.com › Bible Commentary


i. When Peter became very hungry and wanted to eat during prayer, he no doubt regarded it as a distraction. Yet, God used it by speaking to him ...

A Study of Acts: Peter Also Has a Vision - Heaven On Wheels​

heavenonwheels.org
https://www.heavenonwheels.org › a-study-of-acts-pete...


Oct 10, 2024 — When Peter became very hungry and wanted to eat during prayer, he no doubt regarded it as a distraction. Yet, God used it by speaking to him .

God demonstrates finessed timing here. What better time to change the Jewish dietary restrictions?

And God couples these instructions with information about the three men sent by Cornelius. It's a moment for moving from the past into the future.

I think you need to research this ----this is not about Changing dietary laws ---this vision is to get Peter to change from preaching to the Jews only about Salvation to including the Gentiles -----he is using the food here as a Metaphor

Think Spiritually not worldly ----

AI

Yes, in Acts 10, God uses a vision of a sheet filled with animals as a metaphor for his declaration that Gentile people are now "clean" and accepted by God, just as certain foods were made clean and fit for eating.




AI


In Acts 10, Peter's vision of a sheet with various animals, including those considered unclean, signifies a crucial shift in understanding God's plan for salvation, moving from a focus primarily on the Jewish people to a universal embrace of all people, including Gentiles. The vision wasn't about dietary changes but about breaking down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles and recognizing that God's grace extends to everyone.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
    • Symbolism of the Vision:
      The "unclean" animals in the vision represent Gentiles, who were previously considered ritually impure by many Jewish believers.
    • Breaking Down Barriers:
      God's declaration that "What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:15) is not about food but about God's acceptance of all people, regardless of their background.
    • Universal Salvation:
      The vision highlights the idea that God's salvation is offered to all people, not just the Jewish people.
    • A Turning Point:
      This vision is a major turning point in the Book of Acts, paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian Church.
    • Not about Dietary Laws:
      While the vision initially involves Peter's struggle with dietary laws, the central message is about the inclusion of Gentiles, not a change in the dietary laws for Jewish believers.
    • God's Choice:
      The vision emphasizes that God chooses who to save, and his choice is not limited by ethnicity or any other human distinction.
 
Looks like the idea of Peter being distracted at prayer time is a common interpretation. AI says so. So does the commentary you quoted @unsafe.

I don't see it in the text myself.

Speaking personally. Hunger doesn't distract me from my prayers. But I am not one for lengthy prayers. Mine are more like having a quick word with God every morning.
 
I don't see it in the text myself.
Cause you have to look beyond the written word pardox3 ====anyone who can read can read the written word ----the logos word -----but there is the Spoken word which is called the Rhema word which gives you the Spiritual insight into the Logos word ----that comes by way of the indwelling Holy Spirit and only Born Again people have that ----

All scripture has a Spiritual meaning ----you can only see it through the Spiritual lens ----and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is that Spiritual lens -----

You have to see that ===all numbers used and all names used in scripture has a Spiritual meaning as well as God's written word -----God is always sending His spiritual message to His Children ----
 
i ask this question on Google

Satan distracts people from praying

AI


Yes, Satan distracts people from prayer by promoting worldly desires, causing feelings of unworthiness, creating chaos and anxiety, and fostering busyness with non-essential activities. These distractions can prevent individuals from focusing on their relationship with God and developing spiritually. To counter these tactics, followers are encouraged to cultivate a consistent prayer life, find quiet places to pray, repent for sins, and prioritize heavenly pursuits over earthly pleasures.


How Satan Distracts from Prayer
  • Promotes worldliness:
    Satan uses distractions like worldly pleasures, entertainment, and busyness to keep people occupied with unimportant things, leaving no time or energy for spiritual connection and prayer.

  • Fosters feelings of unworthiness:
    He may convince people that their sins make them unworthy to pray or that they are not capable of praying effectively, discouraging them from approaching God.

  • Creates anxiety and stress:
    Satan can manipulate people into focusing on fears, worries, and problems to generate stress and anxiety, which hinders their ability to concentrate on God during prayer.

  • Encourages procrastination:
    He encourages putting off prayer until later or until "the right time," which never comes, preventing a consistent prayer life.

  • Uses internal thoughts:
    Earthly thoughts and internal dialogues can run through a person's mind during prayer, acting as a form of spiritual noise that disrupts focus and connection.

  • Exploits internal sensations:
    Physical sensations like hunger or fatigue and other internal bodily experiences can also be used as distractions, pulling attention away from prayer.
How to Combat These Distractions
  • Cultivate a consistent prayer life:
    Establish a regular time and place for prayer, even if it's in a quiet "prayer closet" or at an unusual time of day.

  • Seek spiritual disciplines:
    Engage in reading God's Word and spending time with other believers to strengthen your focus on God and discern His guidance.

  • Repent and seek forgiveness:
    Acknowledge sins and repent daily to maintain a clear conscience and a strong connection with God, as sin can hinder prayer.

  • Prioritize heavenly pursuits:
    Consciously choose to focus on heavenly delights rather than earthly desires, as worldliness clouds one's spiritual vision.

  • Resist the enemy:
    Understand that there is a spiritual battle, and actively resist Satan's attempts to distract and defeat you through faith and prayer
 
Agreeing with @unsafe re: the meanings found in numbers, names and so on in scripture.

"Three" has been popping up a lot lately.

Also agree with the value of consistent prayer and other spiritual practices.
 
Looks like the idea of Peter being distracted at prayer time is a common interpretation. AI says so. So does the commentary you quoted @unsafe.

I don't see it in the text myself.

Speaking personally. Hunger doesn't distract me from my prayers. But I am not one for lengthy prayers. Mine are more like having a quick word with God every morning.
I don't see it either. Nor have I ever heard that interpretation of the story. To be fair any discussion I have had on this passage has not really focused on that part but more in the "what God has called clean.." aspect. The text makes it clear that we are not to question who God calls to be included in the community. It, like Phillip and the Eunuch, is a text often used in discussions of LGBTQ+ inclusion. I suspect it may have been used in early ages when discussing multi-racial communities
 
@GordW
Now I didn't read the passage as a metaphor for people. I thought the sheet from heaven filled with birds and animals was referring to the old covenant with God. The dietary laws are used as a relevant example.

And God is now doing something new with the early church.

The inclusion of people comes into play with the Cornelius part of the story. Was Cornelius or the Ethiopian eunuch the first Gentile convert? :unsure:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top