It was a beautiful, sunny day, and Peter, a friend of Jesus, was hungry. He was on a rooftop to pray. While he was up there, he suddenly had a very special vision. It’s like a dream, but you’re awake.
Peter saw the heavens rise, and a great blanket floated down. On the blanket were many animals, birds and creepy-crawlies. Some of them were animals that people in Israel were not allowed to eat.
Then Peter heard a voice. The voice said, “Peter, get up, slaughter, and eat!” But Peter quickly answered, “Oh no, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything that isn’t allowed.”
But the voice said, “What God has declared clean, you shall not call unclean.” That happened three times! Then the blanket with the animals was pulled back into heaven, and Peter was uncertain. He thought about what this vision could mean.
While Peter was thinking about this, three men knocked on the door. They had come from another village called Caesarea and were looking for Peter. God had sent them. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, “Go with these men. I sent them.”
Peter walked with them and slowly understood that God wanted to tell him something important. God wanted Peter and all other people to understand that He loves all people, no matter where they come from or what they eat.
Message of history
God loves all people, no matter how different they are. He wants us to be kind to everyone and not exclude anyone.
Bible passage
Peter’s vision of clean and unclean animals is found in Acts 10:9-23:
Acts 10:9-23 (Schlachter 2000):
“The next day, while they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray at the sixth hour. 10 And he became very hungry and wanted to eat. But while something was being prepared for him, a rapture came over him. 11 And he saw the heavens opened, and a vessel coming down to him, like a great linen cloth bound at four ends, and being set down on the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed and creeping beasts of the earth, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, saying, Peter, get up, slaughter, and eat. 14 But Peter said, “Not at all, Lord; for I have never eaten anything vile or unclean. 15 And a voice again said to him a second time, “Do not consider what God has cleansed to be vile.” 16. This happened three times; and then the vessel was pulled up to heaven again. 17 While Peter was at a loss as to the meaning of the vision which he had seen, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius and who had inquired about the house of Simon were standing at the door. 18 And they called someone and inquired whether Simon with the surname of Peter was a guest there. 19 While Peter was meditating on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you; 20. Therefore get up, come down and walk with them without hesitation. For I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him by Cornelius and said, “Behold, it is I whom you seek; what is the reason why you came? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, who has a good testimony among all the nation of the Jews, was told by a holy angel of divine commandments to take you into his house and hear words from you. 23 Then he called them in and sheltered them. The next day Peter went away with them, and several brothers from Joppa accompanied him.”
