Wednesday, March 7, 2012

What was unusual about Peter lodging with Simon the tanner?

Looking at Simon the tanner trade where Peter was lodging was something I did not know about  and how it was related to the message that Jesus brought.  I did not even think about the profession of being a tanner being abhorrent to the Jewish people because of the dead animals and blood and that person because of Num 19, shall be unclean because this has to do with the ceremonial contamination laws.  I can now see that Jesus taught the apostles about individuals not being unclean and Peter went part way by changing his views about ceremonial laws but not all the way .  It is ironic that Jesus used four footed beasts in the dream.  Peter said he did not eat unclean things.   This was not about unclean food, making it clean to eat but calling gentiles unclean and Peter had the chance to make it clear to the Jerusalem church that they can now eat unclean things, but he did not.  Peter said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” and “God gave them the like gift (Holy Spirit) as he did unto us (talking about Gentiles).”  Blessing

Stephen

(Acts 9:43 KJV)  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

(Acts 10:6 KJV)  He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

(Acts 10:32 KJV)  Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

tanner:  1038. burseus, boorce-yooce'; from  bursa (a hide); a tanner:--tanner.

(Num 19:11 KJV)  He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.

(Acts 10:12-15 KJV)  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.

(Acts 10:34-35 KJV)  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: {35} But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

(Acts 11:17 KJV)  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?

No comments:

Post a Comment