Topical Encyclopedia In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter is the recipient of significant visions that play a crucial role in the early Christian Church's development and understanding of God's will. These visions are recorded primarily in the Book of Acts and are pivotal in shaping the mission and outreach of the early Church.Vision of the Sheet (Acts 10:9-16) One of the most notable visions given to Peter is the vision of the sheet, which occurs in Acts 10. This vision is instrumental in the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith, breaking the traditional Jewish dietary laws and cultural barriers. As Peter is praying on the rooftop in Joppa, he falls into a trance and sees "heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners" (Acts 10:11). The sheet contains all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice instructs Peter, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). Peter, adhering to Jewish dietary laws, protests, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean" (Acts 10:14). The voice responds, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This exchange occurs three times before the sheet is taken back to heaven. This vision is immediately followed by the arrival of messengers from Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, who has also received divine instruction to send for Peter. The vision prepares Peter to accept the invitation to visit Cornelius, leading to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles and their subsequent baptism (Acts 10:44-48). This event marks a significant turning point in the early Church, affirming that the Gospel is for all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. Vision of the Angel (Acts 12:6-11) Another significant vision involving Peter occurs during his imprisonment by King Herod. In Acts 12, Peter is miraculously freed from prison by an angel. While Peter is sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, an angel of the Lord appears, and a light shines in the cell. The angel strikes Peter on the side to wake him and instructs him to "Get up quickly!" (Acts 12:7). The chains fall off Peter's wrists, and the angel leads him out of the prison, past the guards, and through the iron gate, which opens by itself. Initially, Peter believes he is seeing a vision, but once outside, he realizes that the Lord has sent His angel to rescue him from Herod's clutches (Acts 12:11). This vision underscores God's providential care and intervention in the lives of His servants, demonstrating His power to deliver and protect His people in times of persecution and trial. Theological Implications Peter's visions are foundational in understanding the early Church's expansion and the breaking down of Jewish-Gentile barriers. The vision of the sheet signifies the abolition of the ceremonial law concerning clean and unclean foods, symbolizing the broader acceptance of Gentiles into the faith. It highlights the universality of the Gospel and God's desire for all nations to be part of His covenant community. Furthermore, the vision of the angel in prison illustrates the theme of divine deliverance and the unstoppable nature of God's mission, even in the face of human opposition. These visions affirm the sovereignty of God in guiding and directing His Church, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled through His chosen instruments. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 10:9-17On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Peter's Apologia The Revelation of Peter. Introduction. Relation 1. Sent to St. Peter of Alcantara in 1560 from the ... The Conversion of Paul. The Saint Prays to be Directed by a Different Way. Intellectual ... Peter's Experience of Imagination. Opposition to Peter Unreasonable. Simon's Astonishment at Peter's Treatment of the Scriptures. St. Peter of Alcantara Comforts the Saint. Great Temptations and ... Visions, Revelations, and Locutions. Resources Does God still give visions to people today? | GotQuestions.orgHow did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is God giving people in closed countries dreams and visions to bring them to faith in Christ? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Visions: False Prophets Pretended to Have Seen Visions: Frequently Difficult and Perplexing to Those Who Received Visions: God Especially Made Himself Known to Prophets By Visions: God often Made Known his Will By Visions: Often Accompanied: A Representative of the Divine Person and Glory Visions: Often Accompanied: An Appearance of Angels Visions: Often Accompanied: An Appearance of Human Beings Visions: Often Accompanied: An Audible Voice from Heaven Visions: Often Communicated in a Trance Visions: Often Communicated in the Night Season Visions: Often Multiplied for the Benefit of the People Visions: Often Recorded for the Benefit of the People Visions: Sometimes Withheld for a Long Season Visions: The Prophets of God Skilled in Interpreting Visions: The Withholding of a Great Calamity Visions: To Daniel (See Chapters 7, 8, and 10 of Daniel) Visions: To Ezekiel (See Chapters 10, 40-48 of Ezekiel) Visions: To John (See Also Rev Chapters 4 - 22) Related Terms |
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