Introduction: Acts 10 has the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who did many good things but had never experienced genuine salvation. The Holy Spirit, working through several people, arranged for Cornelius and others to hear the Gospel, and believe it. Look how many did so!
1 The prologue: Cornelius and the conversation with the angel
Text: Acts 10:1-8, KJV: 1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Thoughts:
--Much of the Middle East was under Roman control, with Roman soldiers in many places. Cornelius was one of these men, a centurion or officer supervising 100 soldiers. His “band” or unit was called “the Italian band’ because it seems they were all from Italy.
--Cornelius seemed to have a great deal of respect for the Jewish people in Caesarea. Luke describes him as devout, God-fearing, a regular giver of alms, and a man who “prayed alway [sic]”. If he thought he had earned salvation or right standing with God, he was in for what may have been the surprise of his life.
--Cornelius is one of the few people in the Bible who saw and spoke with an angel. The angel could and did say, in so many words, “God sees your deeds” but the angel could not and did not have the message of salvation. He told Cornelius to send men to Joppa (probably 30 miles away) and call for Simon Peter who would tell Cornelius what to do.
--When the angel disappeared, Cornelius did indeed send three men to Joppa. The mission (to use a military term) was to find Simon Peter (did any of them know who he was?) and (implied) bring him back to Cornelius—peacefully, of course!
2 Peter and the strange dream
Text, Acts 10:9-16, KJV: 9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Thoughts:
--The “sixth hour” was probably 12 noon. Note that Peter was hungry and was ready to eat had there been something ready. One wonders, since Joppa was near the sea, if fish would have been on the menu!
--Peter was praying. He could have been following the example of Daniel, who prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10-13) or, earlier, David (Psalm 55:17) when David wrote “evening and morning and at noon will I pray (paraphrased)”.
--Peter was dreaming. Luke says he “fell into a trance” which may indicate more than just being tired or hungry (comments from people with a strong medical background welcomed). He saw “all manner of” various animals, some clean and others apparently unclean according to the Law of Moses, lowered by what looked like a large sheet and coming down to earth. Dietary laws were written in various places in the OT.
--And Peter was hungry, as mentioned. He heard the voice (whose, is not stated) telling him to “kill and eat”. But he wasn’t so hungry, at this time, to eat anything “common or unclean”. His attitude would changer, later on, especially when he went to Antioch to minister to believers of all backgrounds there (Galatians 2:11-14).
--This encounter happened three times, the “vessel” was taken back up to Heaven, and Peter ws probably wondering, “What have I just seen here?”
--He was about to find out.
3 Peter and the unknown visitors
Text, Acts 10:17-23, KJV: 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Thoughts:
--Peter had just seen three visions, all identical, of a vessel that looked like a giant sheet filled with clean and unclean animals (according to the OT dietary laws). He didn’t seem to understand what it meant or why he saw it—after all, he had gone to the rooftop to pray.
--While he was trying to figure it out, the men from Cornelius were downstairs, asking if Simon Peter was “lodging there (verse 18)”. The angel had already shown Cornelius where Peter was staying (Joppa) and at whose house (Simon the tanner, whose house was by the sea). Cornelius had given these men that information. These men didn’t seem to know much about Joppa itself so, wisely, they asked directions to find Simon Tanner’s house. Praise God for the unsung heroes who gave them the information they needed to find Simon Tanner and Simon Peter!
--Peter was still thinking about the vision when the Holy Spirit spoke to him (note, this is one of the very few times the Holy Spirit spoke directly and orally/verbally to a believer). The Spirit explained that three men were looking for Peter and that he should go along with them because He, the Spirit, had sent them Himself.
--The three men from Cornelius were perhaps surprised to see Peter himself open the door to greet them. On at least one occasion, the doorkeeper was a young girl; Peter might well have remembered when one such door-opener (a damsel, KJV) challenged him when Jesus was on trial for His life (John 18:16-17).
--Why Peter asked them the reason the men had come is not certain. The Holy Spirit had already explained that three men were seeking him and that Peter should accompany them. At any rate, Peter asked and they confirmed that Cornelius had been told to ask for him and wanted to hear “words of (from) thee)”.
--After this, Peter called them in and gave them lodging. These men must have been very tired after walking 20-30 miles (estimates vary) from Caesarea to Joppa.
--The next morning, Peter and “certain brethren from Joppa” went with the men from Cornelius back to Caesarea and the house or Cornelius. What happened next was one of the most important events in the entire history of the Church.
4 Peter at the house of Cornelius
A: The question Peter asked
Text, Acts 10:24-29, KJV: 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
Thoughts:
--“The morrow after” could mean two days later or the second day after Peter and the others arrived at Casearea after leaving Joppa.
--Cornelius, for whatever reason, fell down at Peter’s feet to worship him. Peter promptly “took him up (grabbed Cornelius by the hand is one possible meaning)” and said, in so many words, “I’m only a man, just like you!”
--Luke adds that Peter “went in” with Cornelius. This may indicate that the attempted act of worship took place away from the other people in the house.
--Peter may have had any number of emotions or feelings when he saw the audience. The first thing he said was, “I’m a Jew, and it’s not lawful for me to keep company with anyone who isn’t a Jew (paraphrased)”. He quickly added, “God told me not to call any man ‘common’ or ‘unclean’.
--Now he asked a very important question, similar to what he had asked the men who had come to Joppa a few days before: “Why did you send for me?”
B The reply by Cornelius
Text, Acts 10:30-33, KJV: 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
Thoughts:
--Cornelius gave credit to the angel of God who told him what he needed to hear and what he needed to do. Then as now, prayers, good deeds, giving alms or money, and being devout (all of which were things Cornelius did) are not enough—and never have been enough—to obtain salvation. Cornelius did as he was instructed. God honored his faith and faithfulness by assuring Peter this was a genuine request by Cornelius.
--Whether Cornelius was aware of the prohibition of Jews to enter a Gentile’s house is not discussed in detail here. He was more aware of, and more concerned with, following the words of the angel so that he and others could hear what Peter had to say.
--And Cornelius was gracious, thanking Peter for making the trip (nearly 30 miles by some estimates). He was also anxious to hear whatever God had told Peter to say.
C The message Peter proclaimed
Text, Acts 10:34-43, KJV: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Thoughts:
--This passage could be a sermon in itself (each of Peter’s “bullet statements” serving as a point or topic for consideration). Peter mentioned several topics: the ultimate universality of the Gospel; Christ’s baptism and John the Baptist’s ministry; the ministry of Jesus, highlighting the good things Jesus did, including healing those who were demon possessed; and most importantly, the death and resurrection of Jesus.
--Peter also gave “eyewitness testimony” to what he saw, including the meals Jesus ate with the disciples (see Luke 24:42 and John 21; Jesus may have eaten with them during the 10 days in Jerusalem before He ascended back to Heaven).
--Peter closed this brief message with a promise: “through (Jesus’) name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sin”. What a Savior!
The Epilogue: salvation and the Holy Spirit came to these Gentile believers
Text, Acts 10:44-48, KJV: 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Thoughts:
--Nothing is mentioned directly as to just how these Gentiles received salvation. Even so, Peter and other Jewish believers (“they of the circumcision”, verse 45) were amazed when these Gentiles began speaking with (other) tongues (implied). Peter himself had to remember the Day of Pentecost some years earlier, when he and the 119 other believers spoke with other tongues to the Jews who lived outside Israel (Acts 2).
--These Gentiles may have been among the first in Israel to hear and receive salvation. It is not certain if the events of Acts 11 took place before, during, or after this event. Peter had left Jerusalem and was staying in Joppa, so this may be one reason why Barnabas was sent to Antioch and not Peter. Before this, Peter and John had visited Samaria when Philip preached the Gospel to the Samaritans (Acts 8).
--We can be grateful for seekers, like Cornelius; for diligent servants, such as those sent by Cornelius; for willing preacher, like Peter, who didn’t let society stand in the way of salvation; and for the Holy Spirit Who made all of this possible!
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).
