But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Peter does right to object: he knows God forbade these things in His law, and he will not break that law thoughtlessly. Yet it is strange he resists so much over meats when Abraham overcame far greater trials through the Spirit's power. The Spirit worked slowly in Peter, teaching us that without God's counsel and constancy, every small thing will make us doubt.
AI summary
Peter clung to Jewish prejudice against Gentiles, thinking association with them brought ceremonial pollution. Scripture had plainly spoken of the Gentiles entering the church, Christ Himself had ordered it, yet Peter could not see it until God broke his bigotry with a vision.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 10:9-18
Peter had kept the ceremonial law his whole life and did not yet know Christ had abolished it. Despite his commission to preach to every creature, he and the apostles remained ignorant of the Gentiles' calling; God enlightened their minds gradually, not all at once.
AI summary