11:6Acts 11:6

The verse records Peter fastening his eyes upon the vision and considering it closely, and seeing four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.7RED 65.2–67.1+4 What he examined in this close looking was a vessel, a great sheet let down from heaven.7RED 65.2–67.1+1 The sheet was let down by four corners in a trance at Joppa while Peter was praying, which he afterward rehearsed in order from the beginning to the brethren in Judea who censured him for going in to uncircumcised men and eating with them.7RED 65.2–67.1

The sight admonished and prepared him no longer to keep up the ceremonial distinction and separation of circumcision and uncircumcision nor to look upon and regard the Gentiles as unclean, for God is no respecter of persons.7RED 65.2–67.1+1 The vision broke down Peter's own prejudice and the Jewish prejudice that had kept Jewish believers from welcoming Gentiles.Ms 116, 1903, par. 17–20+2 In its setting it marks a new phase in the Christian church in which Gentile believers are to be accepted as equal to Jewish disciples without being required to be circumcised, and it prepared Peter for his mission to Cornelius to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.Ms 160, 1898, par. 32–34+1

It was part of the experience that showed God had also granted the Gentiles repentance and was sending the gospel and the gift of the Holy Spirit to uncircumcised Gentiles.Ms 116, 1903, par. 17–20+1 In doing so it tore down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles and opened the way for the gospel to be preached among them for all the world.Ms 116, 1903, par. 17–20+1