The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 358

thinking by it. He realized Divine tellching in it, but wa.s not sure about the 1cop11 of it. He ~w clearly enough that it obliterat.ed, for him at least, the old dietlnotion of meats; but be was set questioning whether there was not some deeper, some under- lying meaning, for the sake of which it had been grant.ed. Was it not like a parable, simple enough, at first sight, for a child to understand, but so rich in meaning and suggestion that a man might meditate therein day and night, and find rich reward? St. Peter might well be puzzled, for there seemed to be nothing that could give him the key to the further and more spiritual meanings. 'l'hat key came in the events of the day---came by the orderings of Divine providence. Following along the line God marked out for him, St. Peter came naturally upon the unfolding of the mystery, and understood the vision and revelation. This we may show more fully. I. ST. PETER UIPRESSED WITH A DIVINE REVELATION. To e. Jew, familiar with the va.ried visi0ns and direct communications of God granted to his fathers, this vision of the descending sheet would suggest no such doubts as would trouble our minds. He would not be likely to wonder over whether it was a delusion, or the dream of a disordered frame. St. Peter would accept it at once as a gracious revelation of the Divine will to him. His only anxiety concerned its true and proper interpretation. Two things need careful illustration. 1. The various modes of Divine revelation to individuals, for the general good, in all ages. It should be pointed out that (1) the mode adopted, whether voice, personal appearance, angelic ministry, dream, or vision, was exactly suited to the individual communicated with, and the time and circum- stances of the communication; (2) that the message, though sent to individuals, was never sent for the sake of the individual alone; it was always designed for others, to whom he must become the minister. Just a.s (it has often been pointed out) our Lord never wrought his miracles for himself, only for the immediate physical, or ultimate moral and spiritual good, of others. 2. The receptivity of St. Peter, who, by a season of loneliness, meditation, and prayerful communion with God, was in a state of mind and feeling that fitted him to receive such a vision. Still it is true that the inwara communications of God's love and truth demand an openness of soul such as St. Peter cherished. If we do not know them, in forms and ways suited to our thoughts and our times, it must be because in us there are no fitnesses and preparations. II. ST. PETER DOU11TING THE JIIEA1''ING OF THE REVELATION. This may not have been a prolonged state of mind, nor was it a distressing state. Explain how many moods of mind are expressed by the single term doubting. There is the doubting: 1. Of simple uncertainty; the proofs are not reasonably sufficient to lead us to a conclusion, and the matter must be held in snspense. 2. Of criticism, which must get to the root of a matter, and test and try the reasoning by which any fact or truth is declared. 3. Of scepticism, which has a bfas or prejudice, and by it is led to require unreasonable tests and proofs; such a spirit persists in doubting when a matter is fairly and adequately explained. 4. Of infidelity, which makes a foregone conclusion a basis for doubt and denial. This spirit is usually most credulous in some matters, and stubbornly unwilling to believe in other matters. St. Peter's was the simple but earnest questioning of a man who really wanted to get at the truth and the meaning of his surprising vision. ill. ST. PETER CALLED TO Am', AND BO POT ASIDE HIS DOUBTINGS. Often the best cure for doubting is a call to present action. It is good advice that bids troubled souls do Christian work. Light on the most puzzling questions often comes to us when engaged in works of love; and, if the light does not come, the burden of the questions ceases to press heavily on Ull. St. Peter, in his doubtings, was called to meet the messengers from Cornelius, and to arrange as soon as possible to return with them on their journey. Activity Gtopped the brooding and doubting, and God made it the very way to the mastery of the doubts. IV. ST. PETER FD,'DING THAT IN THE WAY OF OBEDIENCE COMES LIGHT. He followed God's providential leadings, responded to the inward voice, obeyed in a!l simplicity, went, not knowing quite for what purpose, and, in the line of God's providence, found the unfolding of his vision, and learned the deep truth about which he had been so anxiously questioning. Led to the house of the devout heathen, who was a man accepted of God, he was delivered from the Jewish bondage of tbe "clean and_ the unclean;" he saw that the gospel of life ill Cl~ri~t Jesus was for Gentile ai;  OII, X. 1-48.] 'fHE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 355