Being convinced is an inner manifestation of an outward action, conviction is an outward manifestation of an inner action. Jerry Wm Bowers Jr.

When he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? And he said to him, your prayers and alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He stays with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he will tell you what you need to do.

When the angel who spoke unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up to the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 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: Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

There came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, what God has cleansed, don’t call common. This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

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, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek you. Arise, and get down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Peter went down to the men who were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold; I am he whom you seek: why are you here? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you to his house, and to hear words of you. Then he called them in, and lodged them.

The next day, Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him, and the day after, they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

As  he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said to them, you 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 has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. So I came to you without contradiction, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent you have sent for me?

Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.  And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he comes, he will speak to you.

Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you have appropriately done because you have come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all ) That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets’ witness, which through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they ask Peter to tarry certain days.

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, you went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them.

Peter had rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance  I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

Upon which I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, what God has cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

And ALL (including the four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air - FORMERLY unclean things) were "drawn up to heaven"?

And, behold, immediately there were three men already came to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me And the Spirit asked me to go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house: And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell you words, how you and all your house shall be saved.

As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.  Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you will be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

So Peter received this vision 3 times, and nowhere in this vision is Peter told this was a prophecy to be fulfilled in the Future, and I believe most Scholars, Theologians and Students of Scripture would agree. Would that mean that this one ancient & outdated ritual or tradition of the Old Covenant (Separation of Jews from Gentiles) had been fulfilled?

Do you remember when Peter also said this “Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” in 2^nd Peter 3:13? Didn’t Peter just witness righteousness, and repeats it numerous times in only 2 chapters.

Doesn’t this sound like “that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation” from 2^nd Corinthians 5:19, and “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus” from Galatians 3:28?

Remember Christ said none of the Law & Prophets would pass, until they had all been fulfilled; and how he said Heaven & Earth would pass even before that happened, is Matthew 5:17-18?

Like Paul on the road to Damascus, then shortly after; Peter had his eyes opened to the “Mystery of the Gentiles, which is also the Mystery of God. Is this not the “Hope of Israel” (Acts 28:20) “the binding of the two sticks” (Ezekiel 37:16-19)which is the restoration & reconciliation of the 2 Houses of Israel”?

If Peter was told certain things of the Old Covenant things had passed and Christ said none could pass until all were fulfilled, and Heaven & Earth would pass before then; did not Peter see into that New Heavens & New Earth wherein righteousness dwells? He said he saw this righteousness 3 times.

Remember, he was never told this was a future prophecy to be fulfilled, but was already true. Both Paul & Peter, and numerous other New Testament persons & Writer’s were witnessing the unfolding of;

 “the mystery which was concealed from everlasting” (Romans 16:25)

And “from eternity has been hid in God” (Ephesians 3:9)

And “that was hidden from ages, and from generations” (Colossians 1:26)

That was “ growing old was ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:13)

And the “righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:22)

And because “there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him” Romans 10:12

Did you notice the verses say this mystery was only hidden, not that it didn't exist.  

This was all clearly made manifest in that/their generation, but is also something that exists and is very real today; are not the New Heavens & New Earth forever?

How anyone thinks this has not yet transpired is beyond me.  Think of how many verses you’re wrestling from just this singular article, if you don’t believe them. 

May God bless each of you wonderfully:

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