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b'Peter has a vision and realizes that the lines he drew around what was clean and unclean, pure and impure, in and out, needed to move. We see this again and again in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. It\\u2019s a process that continues even to this day.\\nRead the transcript (PDF)\\nIn this episode, we explore\\n\\nthe Biblical message of inclusion\\nbeing open to the divine where we find it\\nhow this passage can comfort LGBTQ+ Christians\\nhow this passage can convict LGBTQ+ Christians\\n\\nWe reference last week\\u2019s episode, if you missed it, here\\u2019s the link\\nActs 10\\nThere was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Company. He and his whole household were pious, Gentile God-worshippers. He gave generously to those in need among the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly. One day at nearly three o\\u2019clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel from God in a vision. The angel came to him and said, \\u201cCornelius!\\u201d\\nStartled, he stared at the angel and replied, \\u201cWhat is it, Lord?\\u201d\\nThe angel said, \\u201cYour prayers and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to God. Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter. He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast.\\u201d When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants along with a pious soldier from his personal staff. He explained everything to them, then sent them to Joppa.\\nAt noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. voice told him, \\u201cGet up, Peter! Kill and eat!\\u201d\\nPeter exclaimed, \\u201cAbsolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.\\u201d\\nThe voice spoke a second time, \\u201cNever consider unclean what God has made pure.\\u201d This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven.\\nPeter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon\\u2019s house and arrived at the gate. Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there.\\nWhile Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, \\u201cLook! Three people are looking for you. Go downstairs. Don\\u2019t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them.\\u201d\\nSo Peter went downstairs and told them, \\u201cI\\u2019m the one you are looking for. Why have you come?\\u201d\\nThey replied, \\u201cWe\\u2019ve come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.\\u201d Peter invited them into the house as his guests.\\nThe next day he got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa. They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Anticipating their arrival, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, \\u201cGet up! Like you, I\\u2019m just a human.\\u201d As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them, \\u201cYou all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.\\u201d\\nCornelius answered, \\u201cFour days ago at this same time, three o\\u2019clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. He said, \\u2018Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to hi'