I’m still trying to figure Peter out.
He got famous in Joppa by raising that lady from the dead, so you’d think he’d want to stay there because the people are probably giving him all kinds of treats and things.
But now these other guys showed up and asked Peter to come with him and he’s just going to go.
Leave all those treats behind.
Or maybe they offered Peter even more treats.
Okay, I’ll listen.
***
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.
***
Now I get it.
Peter brought along some of the people who would give him treats.
I am listening.
***
The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
***
A party?
There’s lots of food at a party.
I’ll listen. I’ll listen.
***
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
***
Oh, I get it now.
Peter is even more famous in Caesarea.
***
But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
***
Peter, you blew it.
You really should have taken advantage of that.
I would have.
***
Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
***
Peter, they’re just trying to get your treats from you.
I am too listening.
***
Cornelius answered, “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.
***
Peter, tell them to give you treats.
***
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
***
Does that include dogs?
***
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
***
That must have been a safer place after Jesus got through with it.
I bet everybody was even nicer to the dogs.
***
We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. The killed him by hanging him on a tree, …
***
I don’t get it.
Jesus made that place safer and they killed him for it?
Alright, I’ll keep listening.
I think I ran out of things to say anyway.
***
…but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
***
So if I believe in Jesus I’m forgiven for all my mischief?
Woo woo!
***
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
***
I guess those Jewish believers thought they were special, but God showed them.
God thinks everyone is special.
Even us dogs.
***
Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
***
I want to be baptized.
It’s kind of like swimming, isn’t it?
And then afterwards, we can celebrate with treats.
