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A Catechistic comprehension of Peter’s vision
Q. What is the traditional hermeneutical fallacy commonly called Peter’s vision, or the vision of the sheet?
A. The traditional hermeneutical fallacy commonly called Peter’s vision, or the vision of the sheet is the assertion that an analogous vision given by God to Peter in the 10th chapter of Acts has lawfully overturned prior clear and direct revelation in commandment as is found in the Law of God given to Moses, particularly in the books commonly called Leviticus in ch.11 and Deuteronomy in ch.14.
Q. What is the nature of the traditional interpretation of the 10th chapter of Acts claimed to be fallacious?
A. An interpretation, now for a long time having become tradition, is based on Peter being told in a vision to ‘slay and eat’ of all manner of beasts which are called by God unlawful to eat under the designation of common or unclean according to the prior revelation of God’s Law given to Moses concerning those beasts which are commanded to not be slain for the eating of food in the books commonly called Leviticus in ch.11 and in Deuteronomy ch.14.
The fallacious nature of the interpretation is that of making an analogous vision stand as a command of God contrary to its expressed interpretation as given in the Scripture by Peter himself and prior revelation; which interpretation is asserted to prove that unclean beasts also and not unclean men alone (now saved from the nations) have been now under the gospel ‘made clean’. Thus, the analogous vision with it’s given interpretation in the text itself is used, in derogation thereof, as a repeal for the known Command of God given not by vision but as a direct law.
Q. What saith the 10th chapter of Acts concerning the Vision of Peter in truth?
A. Peter’s vision, or the vision of the sheet is found in Acts 10:9-28
which says,
“9… Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
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:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
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.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Q. Why in verse 14. doth Peter find boldness to reject the voice of the Lord’s vision?
A. Peter finds boldness to reject the voice of the command by the prior clear and known revelation of God, as can be seen in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 which forbiddeth all manner of beasts to be slain and eaten for food save those which are called clean by the sanctification of the very word of God therein given.
Q. Could Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry have changed the Command of God concerning common and unclean beasts contained in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 and told Peter so?
A. Yes, Jesus Christ being very God hath power over all principalities and powers in heaven and earth, and as Lawgiver can do as He pleaseth, yet it is evident in the Law of God given to Moses that Christ the Son and Word as Mediator hath confirmed the Law by commanding what is unclean for food to be eaten.
In as much as there is no record that the apostles had ever received a clear command contrary to the Law of God sanctified (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14).
Thus, the Scripture tells us that Peter having this command of God known to him and given of the Holy Spirit to Moses is found in v. 17 “doubting in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean”, a statement contrary to Peter having any knowledge of a change in observance of this law.
Q. What then is the interpretation given by the Holy Spirit clearly contained in the scriptures account?
A. The very interpretation of the vision is given in Holy writ itself, plainly and certainly:
Act 10:28 And he (Peter) said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Therefore, the object of cleansing was men and not beasts or meats for eating, the vision was but an analogy of what God clearly proclaims concerning men.
Q. Doth the vision then have no analogical meaning that could extend unto the cleansing of beast which were once called unclean for eating?
A. God changes not the clear Word of God given as Law by His commandment by use of analogies, but He does so by commands as clear as were spoken to Moses.
