Abrogated

Peter’s vision had a dual meaning. The context is the relationship of a Jew to a Gentile. Peter was about to learn that the New Covenant included Gentile believers. The Old Covenant was strictly between the Israelites and God. Gentiles could only come into it by the ritual of circumcision and obedience to the Old Covenant laws. The clean and unclean meat laws symbolized this distinct  separation. Now we are all one in Christ and the shadow cast by the food laws are shown to be annulled. 

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.”  Acts 10:9-15, NIV