Chapter 10

The tenth chapter of Acts brings to focus the central theme of the book. Chapter 9 had offered scenes of the working of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 10 slows down the narrative for emphasis. 
The two key people in the chapter are Cornelius (a gentile) and Peter (a Jew). The chapter is about joining. Cornelius, who prays to God, is confronted in spiritual vision with the instruction to send some of his employees to go find Peter. In the meantime, Peter is experiencing a vision of his own. He is tired and hungry after a long day. He is resting on the roof of Simon the tanner. He has a vision of a sheet being lowered in front of him. The sheet is filled with what could be food for Peter, but disturbingly this food includes animals forbidden by Jewish law and interpretation. The sheet has to be lowered three times, even in the vision, for Peter to begin to listen. 
In the vision, Peter hears a divine voice telling him to eat. Peter is disgusted. He resists. The vision is not about food, it is about Cornelius. 
God is reaching beyond the bias of a small group, a religious tribe, to others outside that tribe. 
Peter can’t understand this, but he accepts the guidance of the Holy Spirit to go to see Cornelius. Peter speaks of Jesus there and his message is received with joy. 
Peter says something that has still to be heard and acted upon in much of the Christian church; 
“God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” 

The United States of America has perpetuated a Christian faith that has not accepted what Peter was shown. 
Canada has often perpetuated a Christian faith that has often not accepted what Peter was shown. 

We have a long long way to go.