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The Sabbath School

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 14, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 40.

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The Sabbath School

International Series.
LESSON V.—SABBATH, OCTOBER 30, 1897.

PETER’S VISION.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 10:1-23, R. V.
1 “Now there was a certain man in Cæsarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, 6 who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. 7 And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 “Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour; and he became hungry, and desired to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; 11 and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners 12 upon the earth; wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and fowls of the heaven. 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 anything that is common or unclean. 15 And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. 16 And this was done thrice; and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.
17 “Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, and 18 called and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting; for I have sent them. 21 And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek; what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee. 23 So he called them in and lodged them. “And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.”

QUESTIONS.

  1. Who was Cornelius? Where did he live?
  2. What was his character?
  3. As he was praying one day, who appeared to him?
  4. How did the sight affect him? What did he ask? What comforting assurance did he receive?
  5. What was he told to do?
  6. What was he told that he would then learn?
  7. As soon as the angel departed, what did Cornelius do?
  8. What took place as these men approached Joppa the next day? What time of day was it?
  9. Describe Peter’s condition when he fell into the trance.
  10. Tell what he saw.
  11. What did he hear?
  12. What was Peter’s reply?
  13. * What instruction did the voice then give him?
  14. How was this made more impressive?
  15. Did Peter at first understand the vision? What took place while he was still thinking about it?
  16. What did the Spirit say to him?
  17. What did Peter then do? What did he say to the men?
  18. Give the words in which they told their errand.
  19. When did he go with them? Who accompanied him?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. What was a centurion?
  2. “He saw in a vision, evidently;” in the revision we have “openly.” It was a plain sight.
  3. Why did not the angel, while he was present, preach the Gospel to Cornelius?
  4. To whom alone is the preaching of the Gospel committed? Cite texts. Can you tell why from the Scriptures?
  5. What is the work of the angels?
  6. In this lesson we have an illustration of how God works at both ends of the line to shape events.
  7. Did Peter suppose that this vision was meant to teach him that he should eat all sorts of beasts and creeping things? How do you know?