The second act in our drama covers verses 9–23a (we will pick the story up from verse 23b tomorrow). This act we can describe as The Reluctant Missionary. We are taken to Joppa, where we earlier left the apostle Peter lodging ‘with a tanner named Simon.’1 That little detail is important, because the tanner’s trade, being associated with death, was regarded as unclean. Peter has taken a small step beyond his comfort zone before confronting the challenge to come.

There is an obvious parallel between this scene and the previous one in that, like Cornelius, Peter is at prayer and, like him, receives a response from heaven. However, unlike Cornelius, three times Peter cannot accept the divine instruction, and he utters the contradictory response: ‘Surely not, Lord!’ (vv. 14, 16). The vision of clean and unclean animals was an illustration of the cultural and social implications of the cross of Jesus, removing barriers which prevented table fellowship between Jews and gentiles. Peter’s mission to the spiritually hungry Cornelius cannot happen unless he is able to receive fresh light and overcome his reluctance to enter gentile space. Notice the providential timing of the knock on the door (vv. 17, 18). Peter’s struggle will be resolved by meeting actual people sent from Cornelius, although his initial response in verse 21 is surely a further example of Luke’s sense of humor!

Justo Gonzalez comments: we are now the people who have ‘laws, rules, and principles that … run the risk of being obstacles to our mission … We often limit our circle of contacts, so that we are always among believers and avoid rubbing shoulders with those who do not believe as we do.’2

Consider the change that is needed if God’s mission is to reach the world as it is today.