Morning Bible Study: Acts 10:9-18

9  About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 
10  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 
11  He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 
12  It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 
13  Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." 
14  "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." 
15  The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 
16  This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 
17  While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 
18  They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christianity.com)

"Commentary on Acts 10:9-18

The prejudices of Peter against the Gentiles, would have prevented his going to Cornelius, unless the Lord had prepared him for this service. To tell a Jew that God had directed those animals to be reckoned clean which were hitherto deemed unclean, was in effect saying, that the law of Moses was done away. Peter was soon made to know the meaning of it. God knows what services are before us, and how to prepare us; and we know the meaning of what he has taught us, when we find what occasion we have to make use of it."