Building our theology and doctrines based on any New Testament idea that can not be supported in the words given to us by Yehovah (the LORD) through Moses is going to get us destroyed in the coming last days; Acts 10 is just one example of this.
 Continued from Clean Foods vs Unclean foods
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a slaughter for sins [this is what our slaughter at Passover is all about], but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law [Torah] dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled Israel’s seed underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay!’, says Yehovah. And again, ‘ “Yehovah will judge His people.” (Heb 10:26-30)
Even Yeshua (Jesus), speaking for Yehovah, said:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Elohim, Elohim (Lord, Lord) (Master, Master),’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘master, master, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice LAWLESSNESS!’ “(Mat 7:21-23)
Lawlessness is Torah-lessness, ignoring what Yehovah said through Moses.
Acts 10 Misunderstanding
The story recorded in Acts 10 is a perfect example of what happens when we use our understandings of a New Testament idea to build our theology, and ignore Yehovah’s eternal and unchanging words given through Moses. Words that we are not allowed to add to or subtract from.
My whole life (I am 60 now) I have heard people wrongly use the Peter’s vision in Acts 10 to say that “we can now eat anything we want.” Oh my Master, Yehovah, forgive our ignorance and open our blind eyes. This very idea has at its core a wicked and false foundation that says, “Yehovah does change and His words do not endure forever.”
The story in Acts 10 is about a Roman soldier named Cornelius,
“a devout man and one who feared Elohim with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to Elohim always. ” (Acts 10:2)
Because of this man’s willingness to both learn and do the Creators eternal and unchanging ways, a messenger (an angel) of Yehovah came to Cornelius in a vision and told him to send for Peter who was staying in Joppa, 32 miles to the south.
… “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before Elohim. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.” (Acts 10:4-5)
Few people understand that Judaism follows what is called an “oral law” which has thousands of prohibitions that have been added to Yehovah’s word.
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yehovah, your Elohim which I command you.” (Deu 4:2)
According to this oral law, a “Jew” is forbidden to come into the house of a Gentile, as they were considered common and unclean. This “law” concerning Gentiles is not found in Yehovah’s instructions given to us through Moses; but was part of the doctrines and traditions of men which Peter and the rest of the disciples had learned all their lives.
The disciples, who were raised in false ways of Judaism, had to renew their minds just as we who have been raised in the false ways of Christianity have to renew our minds.
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of Yehovah, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Yehovah, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect WILL OF YEHOVAH.” (Rom 12:1-2)
It was while these three Gentile men, which Cornelius had sent, were coming to Peter that he too had a vision. Three times a cloth came from heaven with all kinds of creatures in it. And a voice saying “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
“Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat’. ” (Acts 10:10-13)
Bless Peter’s heart! As any man who fears Yehovah and knows His eternal and unchanging ways, he said”
“Not so, my master! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” (Acts 10:14)
While Peter was contemplating the meaning of the vision which he saw three times, the three Gentile men whom Cornelius had sent came to the door of the house where Peter was staying. And then the spirit of Yehovah told Peter what was going on.
“While Peter thought about the vision, the spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them’. ” (Acts 10:19-20)
“Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said; ‘Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?’ And they said, ‘Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears Elohim and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy messenger to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you’. ” (Acts 10:21-22)
Peter invited the “Gentiles” in and they spent the night, and then they all left the following morning for Caesarea.
“Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.” (Acts 10:23)
A day later Peter and all who were with him arrive at Cornelius’ house and found that he had invited all his relatives and close friends.
“And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I myself am also a man.’ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.” (Acts 10:24-27)
It is only now, as Peter spoke to these people, that we finally find out what his vision on the roof was all about.
“Then he [Peter] said to them, ‘You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man [a man practicing the oral traditions] to keep company with or go into one of another nation. But Elohim has shown me that I should not call any MAN common or unclean.” (Acts 10:28)
This was the meaning of Peter’s vision! The kingdom of Elohim is available for all men who will learn the fear of Yehovah, turn from their wicked ways, and start learning and doing Yehovah’s eternal and unchanging ways.
“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.” (Eze 18:21-22)
Building our doctrines and theologies based on New Testament ideas that cannot be found in the very scriptures (Moses and the Yehovah’s other Prophets) that Yeshua, Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude all taught from is going to get us destroyed. Our safety is always in following Moses.
“And now, Israel, what does Yehovah, your Elohim require of you? But to fear Yehovah, your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve Yehovah, your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of Yehovah and His statutes which I command you today FOR OUR GOOD!” (Deu 10:12-13)
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear Elohim and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For Elohim will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecc 12:13-14)
Go to part 3 – Clean and Unclean Animals