Atos 10
Marvin Vincent · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 10
Vincent says "Literally, an ecstasy fell upon him." The same thing happened to Paul in Acts 22:17. Sadly some of us fall into a deep sleep in prayer! George Gilbert on trance - A state of transport, in which one is not conscious of the body (see 2 Cor. 12:2), and in which the mind is peculiarly open to heavenly communications. The opposite of falling into a trance appears to be characterized in Acts 12:11 as ‘coming to one’s self.’ (Acts, the Second Volume of Luke's Work on the Beginnings of Christianity, 1908) Trance (1611)(ekstasis [English - ecstasy] from existemi = "be out of one's sense") literally means either a change of place or put out of place. Clearly it is figurative in this passage and describes a partially suspended state of consciousness. Ekstasis is a state where consciousness is wholly or partially suspended and the person feels himself to be outside himself. In the NT it is a state brought about by God (cf. Acts 11:5; Acts 12:11; Acts 22:17). Luke alone employs ekstasis with the sense of ecstasy or trance. Thomas Page adds that ekstasis "represents a state in which a man, to a greater or less extent, ceases to be under the control of conscious reason and intelligence: he ‘passes out of himself’ (existemi) and needs ‘to come to himself’ again (cf. Acts 12:11). It may describe the effect of awe and amazement (cf. Acts 3:10, Acts 8:9, 8:11, 8:13), or fear (Mark 16:8), or as here and Acts 22:17 a complete loss of outward consciousness, ‘a trance’." (The Acts of the Apostles, 1895) Trance is an abnormal state of wakefulness in which a person is not self-aware and is either altogether unresponsive to external stimuli but is nevertheless capable of pursuing and realizing an aim, or is selectively responsive in following the directions of the person who has induced the trance. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with hypnosis, meditation, magic, flow, and prayer. It may also be related to the earlier generic term, altered states of consciousness. Holman Bible Dictionary - Trance is descriptive of an experience in which a person received a revelation by supernatural means ( Acts 10:10 ; Acts 11:5 ; Acts 22:17 ). In these instances, the author of Acts, in reference to the experiences of Peter and Paul, seemed to be interested in showing that the trance was only a vehicle for a revelation from God. Luke illustrated that the trances that Peter and Paul experienced “happened” to them and were not self induced. The distinctions between “trance,” “dream” and “vision” are not always clear. Wikipedia on trance - Trance is an abnormal state of wakefulness in which a person is not self-aware and is either altogether unresponsive to external stimuli but is nevertheless capable of pursuing and realizing an aim, or is selectively responsive in following the directions of the person who has induced the trance. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden. The term trance may be associated with hypnosis, meditation, magic, flow, and prayer. It may also be related to the earlier generic term, altered states of consciousness Related Resources: American Tract Society Trance Easton's Bible Dictionary Trance Fausset Bible Dictionary Trance Holman Bible Dictionary Trance Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Trance Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Trance Smith Bible Dictionary Trance 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Trance International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Trance Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Trance McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Trance Bruce Barton - WITHOUT CEASING Many Jews prayed legalistically—going through the motions of prayer at certain times of the day so as to fulfill their religious duty. Peter, however, had learned from his Master, Jesus, that prayer is more than ritual; it is communion with the Father, an expression of love and trust. When believers understand that prayer is the vital link to the living God, and when they begin to see prayer not as a luxury but as a moment-by-moment necessity in the Christian life, then, and only then, will they have intimacy with God and experience his power and presence. Make prayer a priority. (See Acts - Page 174) Acts 10:11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, KJV Acts 10:11 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: saw Acts 7:56; Ezekiel 1:1; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; Rev 4:1; 11:19; 19:11 and an object Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 11:6-14; 19:23-25; 43:6; 56:8; Mt 8:11; 13:47,48; John 11:52; 12:32; Ro 1:16; 3:29-31; 9:4; 15:9-12; 16:25,26; Gal 2:15; 3:28; Eph 1:10; 3:6; Col 3:11 Acts 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PETER SERVED A SMORGASBORD ON A SHEET And he saw the sky opened up - The word for sky is ouranous witch is used 256 times in the NT and is translated heaven 218 times. Thus sky in this passage is clearly synonymous with heaven. The sky opened up is language of a vision or a revelatory act of God as shown by reviewing some of the other Biblical uses (below). Saw (2334)(theoreo) (graphic present tense - was seeing) is derived from theaomai which means to look at something closely, attentively and even contemplatively, often with a sense of wonder (cf derivative of theoros = a spectator; gives us English = theater). Theoreo means to gaze, to look at carefully or to examine with emphasis on attention to details. The picture of this verb is of a person who is a spectator. And so here Peter is a "spectator" of the step-by-step unfolding of God's divine drama of deliverance (redemption), and in this "Act of the divine drama" he had a "front row seat" to allow him to clearly see the prologue of the promulgation of the Gospel of salvation to the Gentiles. Peter's feet were (figuratively) being shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace (Eph 6:15+), which accomplishes the "abolishing in His (CHRIST'S) flesh the enmity (BETWEEN JEWS AND GENTILES), which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances (THE WHOLE JEWISH LEGAL SYSTEM - IN ACTS 10 IT WAS EPITOMIZED BY THE DIETARY REGULATIONS WHICH WAS LIKE A "WALL" BETWEEN JEWS AND GENTILES), so that in Himself He might make the two (JEWS AND GENTILES) into one new man, thus establishing peace." (Eph 2:15-22+). That's what the Gospel does to our prejudices, whether they are ethnic, racial, caste, rich, poor, or any other "wall" separating people! Opened up (perfect tense - it opened and remained open)(455)(anoigo from ana = again + oigo = to open) means to open or open up and thus to give access to. To open one's eyes causing them to see into the truth of the Gospel (Acts 26:18). Anoigo is used of the heavens opened or divided so that celestial (supernatural) things become manifest to natural men (See the New Testament verses below). There are also two parallel uses of anoigo in the Septuagint. Anoigo is used in the Septuagint in Psalm 78 also in the context of food... Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened (Septuagint- anoigo) the doors of heaven; He rained down manna upon them to eat and gave them food from heaven. (Ps 78:23-24) Anoigo is used in the description of the vision that marked the beginning of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry to the Jews in captivity... Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened (Septuagint - anoigo) and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1) In Luke 11:10 Jesus used this same verb anoigo in giving a promise regarding believing prayer, declaring that "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." Peter had "knocked" at the "door of heaven" and the door was opened up for him to see into the unseen, supernatural world, which ultimately would reveal to him God's will for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel and for him to be the means by which this task would be accomplished. Of course, at this time, Peter only saw a portion of the divine drama unfolding (pun intended ~ "sheet-like" object), but would soon participate personally in the next "act." And an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground - Note the term of comparison (simile) "like a great sheet," so it looked like a sheet (or big sail) but was not an actual sheet. Object (4632)(skeuos) refers to a hollow vessel or container of any material used for a specific purpose, with the meaning varying according to the context, here referring the "sheet-like" object containing the divine menagerie. Skeuos is used three times in the context of Peter's vision (Acts 10:11, 16, Acts 11:5). Sheet (3607)(othone) means literally fine linen and thus a linen cloth and then a sheet (only in Acts 10:11, 11:5 with no uses in the Septuagint). BDAG adds that othone was used in secular Greek to describe a ship's sail, perhaps helping us visualize what Peter saw in his vision. It is interesting that Peter was a fisherman familiar with sails and also on the roof top where sails of passing ships may have been visible (apologies, I couldn't pass up this bit of wordplay conjecture). One pastor writes Peter "probably looked out over the Mediterranean Sea and saw a huge white sail on a boat that blended into the blue sky of heaven." It is also interesting that the derivative word othonion which means linen wrappings is used in Lk 24:12+ where Peter after running to Jesus' tomb, stooped down. looked and saw "linen wrappings" (othonion) but no body (cf Jn 20:5, 6, 7). Peter certainly had some incredible experiences with sheets! Vincent adds "Originally fine linen; later, sail-cloth or a sail. Dr. J. Rawson Lumby suggests that the word othone, "applied to loose, bellying sails of ships," may indicate that the form of vessel which appeared to Peter "recalled an image most familiar to his previous life—the wind-stretched canvas of the craft on the Lake of Galilee" ("Expositor," iii., 272)." (Word Studies in the New Testament) Lowered (2524)(kathiemi from kata = down + eimi = to be) means to let down from higher to lower place, as the paralytic on the cot lowered from roof to floor before Jesus (Lk 5:19+), of Saul's being lowered in a basket and escaping assassination (Acts 9:25+). Corners (746)(arche) usually means first, the beginning, the origin, the commencement of something, and in this context is used to describe the point at which two surfaces or lines meet and thus the "corner" is where they come together. Arche has this meaning only twice in the NT, Acts 10:11 and Acts 11:5. "We say “end” or extremity for this use of the word." (Robertson Acts 10 Commentary) Vincent on corners (arche) - Lit., beginnings; the extremity or corner, marking a beginning of the sheet. "We are to imagine the vessel, looking like a colossal four-cornered linen cloth letting itself down, while the corners attached to heaven to support the whole." The word is used in this sense by Herodotus, describing the sacrifices of the Scythians. The victim's forefeet are bound with a cord, "and the person who is about to offer, taking his station behind the victim, pulls the end (archen) of the rope, and thereby throws the animal down" (iv., 60). The suggestion of ropes holding the corners of the sheet (Alford, and, cautiously, Farrar) is unwarranted by the usage of the word. It was the technical expression in medical language for the ends of bandages. The word for sheet in this passage was also the technical term for a bandage, as was the kindred word othonion, used of the linen bandages in which the Lord's body was swathed. See Luke 24:12; John 19:40; 20:5, 6, 7. Mr. Hobart says: "We have thus in this passage a technical medical phrase—the ends of a bandage—used for the ends of a sheet, which hardly any one except a medical man would think of employing" ("Medical Language of St. Luke"). (Word Studies in the New Testament) Some like Kent Hughes have suggested that "The four corners of the sheet in the vision correspond to the four points of the compass—north, south, east, and west." While we cannot be dogmatic that is a possibility as the Gospel would eventually go to Gentiles (and Jews) in the four "corners" of the world. A T
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Vincent on diaporeo - From dia = through, and aporeo = to be without a way out. The radical idea of the compound verb seems to be of one who goes through the whole list of possible ways, and finds no way out. Hence, to be in perplexity. Diaporeō is used as a reaction by people to a manifestation of God’s power. Vision (3705)(see preceding discussion of horama) Behold (idou) is an interjection which is used to garner the reader's attention, often to introduce something new and extraordinary. Notice how the perplexing message was followed up by providential messengers. While this may not always occur when God speaks to us through His Word and by His Spirit, He may bring about providential circumstances that interweave what He has said in His Word. John
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Vincent - The verb (chrematizo) means to give a response to one who asks or consults: hence, in the passive (AS IN Acts 10:22), to receive an answer. Luke's uses of chrematizo - Lk. 2:26; Acts 10:22; Acts 11:26 (= "called Christians") To come to his house and hear a message from you - In Acts 10:20 Peter had been commanded by the Spirit to accompany them and now he sees that the "them" is Gentiles and the destination is a Gentile house. The purpose is that Cornelius might hear a message from Peter. While neither the three envoys (cf Acts 10:4-6, 7-8) nor Peter knew exactly what his message was to be, clearly Peter is progressively gaining more insight into his vision of clean and unclean, albeit not yet completely grasping the full significance. Step by step the divine drama is unfolding. Matthew Henry on hear a message from you - they know not what words, but they are such as he may hear from thee, and not from any one else so well.'' Faith comes by hearing (Ro 10:17). When Peter repeats this, he tells us more fully, they are words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved, Acts 11:14. Larkin comments that "Obedience to the Spirit will lead to understanding. Understanding demands further obedience. God by his word was breaking down prejudicial barriers as his witnesses obeyed. What breakthroughs does God want to bring about through us as we obey?" (The Mission Is Inaugurated Through Peter Acts 9:32-11:18) Message is rhema which signifies a spoken word and is the same word Luke used earlier in descriptions of Peter in the context of speaking forth the Gospel... Acts 2:14+ But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words (rhema). Acts 5:20+ (Angel of the Lord speaking to the apostles as he releases them from jail) “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message (rhema) of this Life.” Acts 10:23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. KJV Acts 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. gave them lodging Genesis 19:2,3; 24:31,32; Judges 19:19-21; Heb 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9 on the next da Acts 10:29,33; Eccl 9:10 some of the brethren from Joppa Acts 10:45; 9:38,42; 11:12; 2 Cor 8:21 Acts 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE PARTITION BEGINS TO FALL So (Therefore) (oun) - Term of conclusion. Peter concluded that there was something supernatural about these Gentiles showing up the same day he himself had experienced a supernatural encounter. The Spirit had clearly spoken to him. Thus Peter receives not only the men but their message. Thus we begin to see a change taking place in Peter's "kosher, anti-Gentile heart" and he takes the first step toward "inter-ethnic" reconciliation. This is not a reflection of human reasoning or methodology. It is clearly God's grace at work to remove a man's legalistic bias, that long standing, potent (and pride filled) prejudice which heretofore had prevented cross cultural ministry of Jews to Gentiles. THOUGHT - One thinks of ethnic, inter-racial tensions still so prevalent in much of American society and how the solution ultimately is not humanistic natural reasoning but only the holy supernatural Gospel that can bring about reconciliation of men who have borne life-long prejudices (and even overt enmity) toward other men created in the image of God! Peter is beginning to learn that the middle wall or "the barrier of the dividing wall" in the Temple had been irrevocably broken down and the enmity (between Jews and Gentiles) had been abolished in Christ even as Paul explained in his epistle to the Gentile believers in Ephesus.... But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, (See dictionary discussion of the barrier wall in the Temple the purpose of which was to prohibit Gentiles from going into the inner areas reserved only for Jews. On the wall was a sign that said in essence the penalty of a pagan transgressing this wall was death! See this wall in the picture below - on the right is the Court of the Gentiles which is as far as they could go.) 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.(Eph 2:13-18+). Keep in mind the stigma of Jews associating with Gentiles as illustrated in this exhortation from the book of Jubilees - "Separate yourself from the gentiles, and do not eat with them, and do not perform deeds like theirs. And do not become associates of theirs. Because their deeds are defiled, and all of their ways are contaminated, and despicable, and abominable." (Jub. 22:16). THE RED CARPET TREATMENT He invited them in and gave them lodging - Peter puts out the "welcome mat" to three men the Jews referred to as "dogs!" Keep in mind he still has not eaten (recall it was a little after noon and he was surely still hungry) but now is giving them a warm welcome. Peter adds a new meaning to the old saying "guess who's coming to dinner!" A Jewish man inviting a Gentile in was clearly a step in the right direction, clearly stepping across traditional social boundaries. This would have been difficult for Peter, humanly speaking, because remember he still does not understand the significance of the vision. The vision was about clean and unclean food, not clean and unclean people. But he is stepping out in faith based on the revelation he has been given and will soon receive a fuller revelation. And he was undoubtedly filled with (controlled by) the Spirit Who had just directed him. And what God commands us to do, He enables us to accomplish! (cf Php 2:13NLT+). THOUGHT - This story illustrates that this is the way God's Spirit reveals truth to our hearts. We hear God's Word, and whether we can fully understand what He is commanding or instructing, we make the conscious choice (enabled by the Spirit - cf Php 2:13NLT+) to obey His Word. And when we do, we place ourselves in the position of being able to have still more truth revealed to our heart by His Spirit (cf Jn 7:17). Have you stunted your growth in grace and Christ-likeness because you have repeatedly refused to obey a command or instruction that you know God has clearly (perhaps even repeatedly) revealed to you? Confess and repent and obey and enter into the divine blessing of more truth that will transform you more and more into the image of Jesus (cf 2 Cor 3:18+ where "mirror" ~ The Word). Centuries earlier there had been another prejudiced Jewish man at Joppa who the LORD had commanded "Arise, go (both commands) to Nineveh (Assyrians) the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” (Jonah 1:2) And how did Jonah respond? "Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down (WHEN YOU RUN FROM GOD, THE DIRECTION IS ALWAYS "DOWN!") into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD." (Jonah 1:3+) Jonah was not even willing to preach "bad news" to these disgusting Gentiles! And why? Because he knew God's character later declaring that "You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and One Who relents concerning calamity." (Jonah 4:2). So here in Acts 10:23 we see God's Spirit is working on Peter's heart to tear down the partitions of prejudice that had been ingrained in the Jews for hundreds of years! Their problem was not so much anti-Semitism (as in our day), but their vicious anti-Gentilism (so to speak)! Jonah ran away from the Gentiles while Peter ran toward them, willing to re-examine his traditions and prejudices in light of God’s word. THOUGHT - Are you more like Peter or more like Jonah? Is there some individual or some group with whom you refuse to share the Good News because of personal bias and bigotry? Indeed, in effect you would rather see them go to hell than to heaven! Then learn from Peter, not Jonah (cf Ro 12:14+). Don't miss the subtle nuance of the Greek verb Luke uses for gave them lodging. Peter did not just coldly say come in and take a room. He readily received them. warmly welcomed them and entertained them as guest which is the meaning of the verb xenizo which is a verb that speaks of hospitality, of kindness in welcoming guests or strangers. Xenizo is in fact the same verb Luke used three times to describe Peter's lodging with Simon the tanner (Acts 10:6+, Acts 10:18+, Acts 10:32+)! Gave...lodging (3579) see preceding note on xenizo Charles Swindoll - To the Hebrew mind, what a person did revealed their true beliefs, regardless of the emotions involved. According to 10:23, Peter responded by committing two great cultural transgressions: he extended hospitality to Gentiles, and he agreed to accept the hospitality of Gentiles in the despised city of Caesarea. (Ibid) NET Note - When Peter entertained them as guests, he performed a culturally significant act denoting acceptance.
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Vincent says athemitos is "More literally, unlawful, emphasizing the idolatries as violations of divine law." Vincent adds "The Jews professed to ground this prohibition on the law of Moses; but there is no direct command in the Mosaic law forbidding Jews to associate with those of other nations. But Peter's statement is general, referring to the general practice of the Jews to separate themselves in common life from uncircumcised persons. Juvenal says that the Jews were taught by Moses "not to show the way except to one who practises the same rites, and to guide the circumcised alone to the well which they seek" (Sat., xiv., 104, 105). Tacitus also says of the Jews that "among themselves they are inflexibly faithful, and ready with charitable aid, but hate all others as enemies. They keep separate from all strangers in eating, sleeping, and matrimonial connections" ("Histories," v., 5). A T
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Vincent says "You have done a courteous and handsome thing in coming. (Cpe 3 Jn 5, 6)" Kind (2570)(kalos) describes that which is inherently excellent or intrinsically good, providing some special or superior benefit. Kalos is good with emphasis on that which is beautiful, handsome, excellent, surpassing, precious, commendable, admirable. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord - Cornelius acknowledges what is happening is before God and at the command (a military term) of the Lord which is amazing for one not yet born again. Cornelius a military man is ready to take orders from the Lord (so to speak). Commanded (ordered, appointed)(4367)(prostasso from prós = to + tássō = to arrange) means to set in order toward, in regard to a person or thing, to order towards or to someone, to command, prescribe to. How apropos that Cornelius the Centurion used a term that described a military order. Jesus used this verb in Lk 5:14 and Peter will use it again in Acts 10:48 when he ordered the new Gentile believers to be (water) baptized.
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Vincent - The simple verb cheirotoneo, to appoint, occurs Acts 14:23 ("appointed elders"); 2 Corinthians 8:19; and originally means to stretch out the hand for the purpose of giving a vote. Hence to elect by show of hands, and generally to appoint. Plato uses the word of the election of leaders of choruses ("Laws," 765). In later ecclesiastical usage it signified ordain, as bishops or deacons. That is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead - The fact that they ate and drank with Jesus after His resurrection is another way of saying that it was a real resurrection in a real body. Only bodies can eat and drink. In other words that the resurrection was not merely a spiritual resurrection, but a physical one. He bears witness to the resurrection’s historical authenticity. Man's one insurmountable obstacle and enemy, DEATH, had been defeated by Jesus Christ as Paul would later write... “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:55-57) Peter and the other 11 apostles. Luke records While they (THE 11 APOSTLES) still could not believe it (THAT JESUS HAD BEEN RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD AND WAS WITH THEM) because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them. (Luke 24:41-43+) Peter could have told them that Jesus broke bread with the two men from Emmaus (Luke 24:30), and had breakfast with seven disciples on the beach of the lake of Galilee (John 21:13). Larkin adds that "To be a witness of one who eats and drinks with you is to experience him with all your senses (Lk 24:30, 39–43; Acts 1:3–4; compare Jn 20:19–23, 27; 21:12)." (The Mission Is Inaugurated Through Peter Acts 9:32-11:18) Steven
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Vincent - The only example of the bestowment of the Spirit before baptism Ray