Yes, Peter refused because he was a Law-keeping Jew who adhered to kosher dietary laws.
Peter's refusal was rooted in his strict observance of the Mosaic Law, which forbade eating unclean animals. Les Feldick emphasizes that Peter, even years after Pentecost, still considered himself bound by these dietary regulations, showing his deep commitment to Jewish customs.
Acts 10:14 — This verse records Peter's direct refusal to eat unclean animals, stating he had never eaten anything common or unclean.
In Acts 10, Peter has a vision of a sheet containing all kinds of animals, both clean and unclean. A voice tells him to 'Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.' Peter responds, 'Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.' This response reflects his adherence to the Levitical dietary laws (Leviticus 11), which explicitly defined which animals were permissible for Jews to eat. The vision itself was a divine revelation to Peter that he should not call any man common or unclean, indicating a shift from the old covenant restrictions to a new understanding of Gentile inclusion.
Les Feldick consistently explains Peter's refusal as a direct result of his being a 'law-keeping Jew.' He emphasizes that Peter was still under the Law even ten years after Pentecost, and that he would not eat anything that was not legally acceptable under the Mosaic code. Les also highlights that the vision was teaching Peter a broader lesson about accepting Gentiles, as Peter later says, 'God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.' The vision was not primarily about food, but about the inclusion of the Gentiles into the family of God.
The vision of the sheet with clean and unclean animals was not merely about dietary laws but was a divine object lesson for Peter. As Les Feldick explains, the Lord was showing Peter that he should not view Gentiles as unclean or common. This prepared Peter to go to Cornelius, a Gentile, and preach the gospel to him, marking a significant step in opening the door of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
Peter's refusal to eat unclean animals demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the Law of Moses. He had never eaten anything common or unclean, indicating a lifetime of strict adherence to kosher regulations. Les Feldick points out that even years after Pentecost, Peter was still 'sticking to the law' and would not eat pork or other prohibited foods. This underscores the deep-rooted nature of Jewish dietary customs and the difficulty of transitioning to the grace-based gospel.
Peter's refusal to eat unclean animals was closely tied to his separation from Gentiles. In Acts 10:28, Peter says, 'Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation.' Les Feldick highlights that this was part of the Law's design to keep Israel separated from pagan nations. The vision was necessary to break down this barrier and show Peter that God now accepted Gentiles on equal footing.
Why Did Paul Spend Three Years Alone Before Preaching? — Galatians Explained
This isn't all happening just in a year or so. Time has been going by. Now here we have been 14 years after his conversion, he has been out in the Gentile world preaching his Gospel of Grace, and in the meantime, as we saw in the Corinthian letters in our previous programs, the Judaizers from Jerusalem are opposing him at every turn.
Law-Keeping Jew
Les explains that Peter's refusal was because he was a law-keeping Jew who would not eat anything not legally acceptable under the Law.
Under the Law
Les emphasizes that Peter was under the Law and that God had defined clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11.
Vision's Deeper Lesson
Les explains that the vision taught Peter not to call any man common or unclean, opening the door to the Gentiles.
Sticking to the Law
Les shows that Peter was still sticking to the Law ten years after Pentecost, refusing to eat unclean animals, and later acknowledging it was unlawful to enter a Gentile's home.
Kosher Shock
Les uses the analogy of a kosher Jew's shock at being told to eat unclean animals, reinforcing Peter's lifelong dietary observance.
Law-Keeper and Kosher
Les notes Peter's reaction 'No way, Lord!' because he had never eaten anything not kosher, showing his strong law-keeping identity.
Separated People
Les places Peter's refusal in the context of Israel's separation from Gentiles, as God commanded them not to co-mingle.
Acts 10:14: But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
This verse is Peter's immediate refusal, directly answering the question.
Leviticus 11:2: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
This verse establishes the kosher laws that Peter was following.
Acts 10:28: And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
This verse shows the lesson Peter learned from the vision, extending beyond dietary laws to Gentiles.
No, it was not a sin. Peter was faithfully following the Mosaic dietary laws, which were still in effect at that time. This is why Les Feldick emphasizes that Peter was a law-keeping Jew, and his refusal was a natural response to a command that contradicted those laws.
Les Feldick teaches that the vision was primarily about accepting Gentiles, not about changing dietary laws for believers. The vision showed Peter that he should not call any man common or unclean, indicating a broader lesson about the inclusion of Gentiles in the church.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Paul Spend Three Years Alone Before Preaching? — Galatians Explained