Primary Scripture
Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Plain explanation
What YAHUAH cleansed must be interpreted by Peter's own explanation about people, not animals.
Common assumption
What YAHUAH cleansed means unclean meats are cleansed.
Scripture-defined meaning
Acts 10:15 must be read through Peter's own explanation of the vision. 'What YAHUAH hath cleansed' is applied to people being received through Messiah, not to unclean animals becoming food.
Confirming witnesses
- Immediate explanation: Acts 10:17,28
Peter does not immediately assume a food-law change; he searches for the meaning and later applies it to people. - Lexical usage: Acts 11:9,18
The repeated saying is interpreted by the chapter's conclusion that repentance unto life was granted to Gentiles. - Prophetic purpose: Isaiah 56:6-8
The prophetic promise anticipates foreigners being accepted and gathered by YAHUAH. - Apostolic confirmation: Acts 15:8-9
The apostolic council describes Gentiles as cleansed in heart by faith, not unclean animals as newly edible.
Takeaway
Do not detach the heavenly statement from the interpretation given in the same account.
Context reflection
Where has the vision's explanation been replaced by tradition?