Acts 10:14

Peter resisted the Lord Jesus’ command strongly but politely (Gr. Medamos, kurie), as Ezekiel had done when he received similar instructions from God (Ezekiel 4:14). Peter may have remembered and recognized the voice as that of Jesus. [Note: Bruce, Commentary on . . ., p. 220.] He had either not understood or not remembered Jesus’ teaching in which He had declared all foods clean (Mark 7:14-19, cf. Romans 14:14). Peter’s "No, Lord," is, of course, an inconsistent contradiction. Nevertheless Peter’s response was very consistent with his impulsive personality and former conduct. He had said, "No," to the Lord before (cf. Matthew 16:22; John 13:8). His reaction to this instruction reminds us of Peter’s similar extreme reactions on other earlier occasions (e.g., John 13:8-9; John 21:7). Saul’s response to the voice from heaven on the Damascus road had not been negative (Acts 9:5-8).

"The cliché, ’If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all’ is simply that-a cliché and not a biblical or theological truth. He can be Lord of aspects of my life while I withhold other areas of my life from His control. Peter illustrated that as clearly as anyone that day on the rooftop when the Lord asked him to kill and eat unclean animals. He said, ’By no means, Lord’ (Acts 10:14). At that point was Christ Lord of all of Peter? Certainly not. Then must we conclude that He was not Lord at all in relation to Peter’s life? I think not." [Note: Ryrie, So Great . . ., p. 73.]