The time finally came for all worthy people to receive the covenants of the
Gospel. The time frame enveloping Cornelius’ "ninth hour of the day"
vision to send for Peter from Jaffa, Peter’s vision in Jaffa with instructions
for him to go to Caesarea, and then Cornelius recounting his vision to Peter as
he arrived at Caesarea is a three nights and three days chiasmus. The center
point is Peter’s vision of salvation for all. Note that Cornelius’
"ninth hour of the day" vision corresponds to the time when Jesus
"gave up the ghost" at the ninth hour of the day. Three nights and
three days later He completed the atonement, providing salvation for all.
Transitioning "The Times of the Jews" to
Include "The Times of the Gentiles" – Socially Difficult:
When Jesus chose His disciples, He sent them to teach first the Jews and then
the Gentiles. Yet, to this day, Jews feel that the Torah (law) was for them only
and that Gentiles had a different standard (the Noahcide laws). The term used
for the Jews or Children of Israel was "the people" and non Jews (non
Israelites) were referred to as "Gentiles." ". . . It was
necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but
seeing ye put it from you . . . lo, we turn to the Gentiles." (Acts
13:46) ". . . Christ should . . . show light unto the people,
and to the Gentiles." (Acts
26:23)
Another Transition is Coming – a Chiasmus:
"And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto
the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself
unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto
the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the
first shall be last." (1 Nephi 13:42)
Peter’s Vision of the Sheet (A Talith):
It was the sixth hour of the day (noon), Simon Peter apparently was praying
(religious Jews pray three times a day, covering their heads and using a special
prayer cloth, a talith, over their shoulders). During his prayer, Peter
saw a —maybe like the typical Jewish prayer shawl, a with its knotted corners
– filled with all sorts of common or unclean foods. Today, this would be
called unkosher. An angel commanded Peter to eat of those . The vision was a
contrast in symbolism: the talith used in the temple as a holy garment, its 613
knots and strings symbolizing the laws given by Moses, was now filled with foods
forbidden by the Law of Moses. Visions really do contain pictures and sounds
that convey vital information.
Vision of Cornelius: Connecting
Peter’s vision with Cornelius creates an even clearer picture. On the previous
day some thirty-five miles to the north at Caesarea, a Roman centurion named at
the "ninth hour" of the day (about 3:00 P.M.) to send for Peter in
Jaffa to teach him the truth. Incidentally, the time to travel the distance of
thirty-five miles would take the better part of two days, or at least an
overnight journey.
Unkosher Becomes Kosher: Cornelius’s
invitation to Peter arrived just as Peter was contemplating the meaning of the
unusual vision of "unkosher" foods he had just been commanded to eat.
He lodged his Roman guests overnight, then departed with them to Caesarea—which
required another overnight stay. When Peter arrived to visit in the house of the
Roman Cornelius, again contrary to Jewish law and custom, he related that God
had now included the Gentiles as well as changed the food laws of Israel
(showing Israel’s singularity). ". . . in every nation he that feareth
him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:34-35) Not
just Israelites, but all peoples were able to become children of the covenant.
The time frame of three nights and three days is a reminder of Jehovah saving
Jonah at Jaffa, who was saved from a watery grave after three days – and sent
to Gentile Ninevah. Now, Peter came from Jaffa came to Gentile Caesarea after
three days to teach Cornelius that the Jesus rose from his grave after three
nights and on the third day His atonement saved all – Jews and Gentiles!
Revelation to Peter – a Chiasmus – Paralleled by
Revelation to President Spencer W. Kimball: The
scriptural report of the Peter and Cornelius is written in a chiasmus: First is
Cornelius’s vision; next we learn of Peter’s vision, when Peter arrives in
Caesarea, the vision of Cornelius is repeated. The center point is the
revelation to Peter: "Salvation is for all people." Gentiles being
able to become full covenant members at the time of the Apostle and Prophet
Peter was similar to "all worthy people" receiving priesthood
blessings at the time of President and Prophet Spencer W. Kimball.
"Priesthood limitation on blacks was changed by revelation . . . We are
under the dictates of our Heavenly Father, and this is not my policy or the
Church's policy. It is the policy of the Lord . . ." (Teachings of
Spencer W. Kimball, Pages 448) The marvelous proclamation that
Priesthood blessings were available for all worthy members is quoted as follows
from the Doctrine & Covenants -- Official Declaration 2
(emphasis added): ". . . extend to every worthy member of the Church all
of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords." ". . .
We want only the thing that thou dost want, and we want it when you want it and
not until . . . Finally we had the feeling and the impression from the Lord, who
made it very clear to us, that this was the thing to do to make the gospel
universal to all worthy people." (Teachings
of Spencer W. Kimball, Page 448-449)
The Challenge of Change:
Just as in Peter’s time, there are those who find change, even prompted from
the Lord, difficult to understand. Through various visual travel experiences
that the ensuing chapters in the New Testament teach the same "sound
doctrine" that salvation is for all, to the ends of the earth. Adjustments
in the Word of Wisdom and the social acceptance of non-Israelites into the House
of Israel actually amplify the responsibility of those who were first to share
their blessings with everyone, as they are fulfilling a sign of the times.