Topical Encyclopedia In the New Testament, the theme of hospitality is vividly illustrated in the account of Simon the Tanner's interaction with the Apostle Peter. This narrative is found in the Book of Acts and provides a significant example of early Christian hospitality, which played a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the early Church.Biblical Context The account of Simon the Tanner and Peter is set in the city of Joppa, a coastal town in ancient Israel. Simon the Tanner is introduced in Acts 9:43, where it is noted that Peter stayed with him for some time: "And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon" (Acts 9:43). This brief mention highlights the practice of hospitality among early Christians, as Simon opened his home to Peter, a traveling apostle. Cultural and Religious Significance In Jewish culture, tanners were often considered unclean due to their work with animal hides, which involved contact with dead animals. Despite this, Peter chose to stay with Simon, indicating a shift in the early Christian community's understanding of purity and association. This act of hospitality reflects the breaking down of traditional barriers and the inclusivity of the Gospel message. Divine Revelation and Mission While staying at Simon's house, Peter received a significant vision from God, which is recorded in Acts 10. This vision, involving a sheet lowered from heaven containing various animals, challenged Peter's understanding of Jewish dietary laws and symbolized the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles. The voice in the vision instructed Peter, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This revelation was pivotal in the early Church's mission to include Gentiles in the Christian faith. Impact on Early Christianity The hospitality extended by Simon the Tanner provided a setting for this divine revelation, which had far-reaching implications for the early Church. Peter's subsequent visit to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48) marked a significant expansion of the Christian mission beyond Jewish boundaries. This event underscored the importance of hospitality in facilitating the work of the Holy Spirit and the spread of the Gospel. Theological Implications The account of Simon the Tanner and Peter emphasizes the transformative power of hospitality in the Christian faith. It illustrates how acts of kindness and openness can serve as conduits for divine encounters and the advancement of God's kingdom. The narrative also highlights the breaking down of social and religious barriers, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel and the unity of believers in Christ. In summary, the hospitality shown by Simon the Tanner to Peter is a profound example of how simple acts of kindness can have significant theological and missional implications. This account serves as a reminder of the importance of hospitality in the Christian life and its role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Nave's Topical Index Acts 10:6,23He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell you what you ought to do. Nave's Topical Index Library Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200 Resources Who were the three men who visited Abraham in Genesis 18? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is New Monasticism? | GotQuestions.org What is Celtic Christianity? | GotQuestions.org Hospitality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Hospitality: A Test of Christian Character Hospitality: Abimelech to Abraham Hospitality: Abraham to the Angels Hospitality: David to Mephibosheth Hospitality: Elisha to the Syrian Spies Hospitality: General Scriptures Concerning Hospitality: Isaac to Abimelech Hospitality: Joseph to his Brothers Hospitality: Laban to Abraham's Servant Hospitality: Lydia to Paul and Silas Hospitality: Man of Gibeah to the Levite Hospitality: Melchizedek to Abraham Hospitality: Onesiphorus to Paul Hospitality: Pharaoh to Abraham Hospitality: Pharisees to Jesus Hospitality: Rahab to the Spies Hospitality: Required in Ministers Hospitality: Rewarded: Rahab's Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: Simon the Tanner to Peter Hospitality: Sons of Heth to Abraham Hospitality: Specially to be Shown to Enemies Hospitality: Specially to be Shown to Strangers Hospitality: Specially to be Shown to The Poor Hospitality: The Shunammite Woman to Elisha Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Hospitality: Zacchaeus to Jesus Inhospitableness: Ammonites and Moabites Inhospitableness: Men of Gibeah Toward a Levite Inhospitableness: Nabal Toward David Inhospitableness: some Samaritans Toward Jesus Related Terms |
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