PETER ON THE HOUSETOP

Photo: Jp Valery

COMPARTILHE

2025-02-13 03:00:00

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

Acts 1:9

 

         The next day held many pleasant surprises for Peter, and then for Cornelius, the well-known Roman captain who would later be converted. The certainty of this conversion could be seen when he responded affirmatively to the touch of the Lord's power: 'There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God always' (Acts 10:1-2).

 

         This captain was not far from the Kingdom of God because he prayed to Him and not to the gods of the Roman Empire's religion. Cornelius must have been fascinated by the story of the Israelites, who, despite being one of the smallest peoples in the world, survived the wickedness of the nations of previous centuries and never abandoned their faith in Jacob's Fortress. Certainly, he could have been punished for treason by the rulers of Rome, but he believed and lived!

 

         Even though he knew little about God's will, the centurion saw an angel who welcomed him to the Gospel, the Perfect Law of Freedom. The heavenly messenger respected the limits and gave him no further information. After all, the preaching of the Truth was entrusted to chosen men, sanctified, anointed, and sent by the Father with this mission (Acts 10:3-6). The angel ordered him to send some of his servants to Joppa to invite Peter to speak about God's wonderful love.

 

         Unaware of what the Lord had prepared for the increase of His Kingdom, or of the servants who would be looking for him, Peter went up to the rooftop where he was staying while they prepared food for him, in order to pray to God. This serves as a lesson for us: the moments of satisfying physical hunger and spiritual hunger must be separated. There would be no point in watching his meal being prepared, because the food from heaven would come in a different way.

 

         While he was praying, the apostle's senses were overwhelmed, and he saw heaven open up, from which a great sheet stretched down to the earth. In it were all kinds of animals considered unclean for Jewish consumption. But Peter heard a voice from heaven telling him to kill them and eat. It is good to hear the Lord speak of the things He has prepared; if we obey Him, we will be successful. Serving the Father without material interest is a great decision.

 

         When Peter heard the Lord, he told Him that he would not eat any of those animals, because the Law of Moses forbade it. He showed his love for God, and the Father showed that He loved him by declaring that this was past; after all, there were only four requirements left from the Law: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell (Acts 15:29). Believe and live!

 

         The Lord commanded him not to treat what had been purified as common. God was already saying that the Gentiles were purified (Acts 10:10-16). The revelation is for us because we are often prejudiced against the lost and condemn them to eternal fire. If they continue in sin, they will be lost forever, but we must convert them to the Truth (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

 

 

           In Christ, with love,

 

           R. R. Soares

 

 

Today's Prayer

God of perfect love! Your Son went to Calvary to pay the price for all sinners, no matter how serious their transgressions. Once they have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are set free because of Christ's suffering. Hallelujah!

 

We must not exclude anyone from the Truth, but rather, with love and wisdom, show that a person is free if they believe in Jesus. All iniquity brings with it a demon that destroys those who indulge in evil practices!

 

Always proclaim the Truth, because it sets you free. We need to give the ungodly the opportunity to redeem themselves. This is what Paul told the Corinthians in his first letter. O Father, help us reach out to those considered lost. Give us wisdom, strength, and love!