ACTS  10

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was kown as the Italian Regiment.

2 He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to  those in need and prayed to God regularly.

 3 One day about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw a angel of God, who came to him and said Cornelius!

4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. What is it Lord? he asked. The angel answered, Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.

6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.

 7 When the angel who had spoke to him was gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.

8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

9 About noon the following day while they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up to 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 open and what looked 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 of the earth and birds of the air.

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 seond time, Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.

16 This happened three times and immediatedly 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 Simons house was and stopped at the gate. 

18 They called out asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, Simon these men are looking for you.

20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them. 

21 Peter went down and said to the men, I am the the man you are looking for. Why have you come.

22 The men replied, We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.

23 Peter then invited the men to come into the house to be his guests. 24  The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.

24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea, Cornelius was  expecting them and   had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet in reverence.

26 But Peter made him get up. Stand up he said I am only  a man myself.

27  Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.

28 He said to them; You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclesn.

 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you have sent for me?

30 Cornelius answered; Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me

31 and said Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest of a man called Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.

33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.

34 Then Peter began to speak; I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

35 but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and does what is right.

36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

37 You know what has happened throughout Judea beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,

 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.

39 We are witnesses of everything that He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree 

40 but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen.

41  He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already choosen by us who had ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him recieves forgiveness of sins through His name

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

45 The circumsised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.  Then Peter said,

47 Can onyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have recieved the Holy Spirit just as we have.

 48 So he ordered that they be baptized  in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them a few days.

But Peter took him up,saying stand up I myself also am a man. Acts 10:26

And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou doeth not I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren  that hath the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10

GIFTS TO MAN, BRING GIFTS FROM GOD

 Thomas J. Grace

Peter remains in the city of Joppa the place where Jonah began his escape from God as he boarded  a ship to go to Tarshish to avoid the work of calling the people of Nieveh to repent.  Peter will need a vision and the voice of Christ to lead him to bring the gospel to a new group of people the Gentiles. Peter now has faith to see the worst enemy of Christians become a believer  Saul, he has prayed for Dorcas to come back from the dead but still does not believe that a Gentile can be saved. Many things for the all Jewish church are about to change in Jerusalem and throughout the world.                                   

       1 Cornelius a centurion in the city of Caesarea like a captain today he was in charge of one hundred soldiers in the Roman army. He was a soldier who obeyed orders and did his duty for the Roman empire that had conquered the nation of Israel. 2 Like Dorcas we hear of Cornelius good works and faith in God, He gave generously to those in need, he and his family prayed to God every day. Cornelius had already formed a small church in his home with his family some soldiers and some servants that all believed in God. He must have learned much of this teaching from the Jewish leaders where he was able to go to the synagogue. He must have learned about Abraham, Moses, and David and may have studied about some of the prophets.  He would hear some talk about Christ and the revival and miracles that had taken place in Jerusalem and Samaria. 3 Cornelius sees a vision a angel of God appears to him and calls his name Cornelius. This could be a message for no one else as he is addressed by his own name as was Saul when Christ said Saul Saul why do you persecute Me ? and later Christ will say Rise Peter kill and eat. We see personal names used to identify each person God is to speak to. Exodus 3:4 God calls Moses Moses. 1 Samuel 3:4 Then the Lord called Samuel.Moses saw a burning bush Saul saw a bright light young Samuel heard a voice he thought was Eli. In the same way God will recognize you in a personal way as He calls you to hear the message of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. Just as Peter would identify His Savior as Jesus Christ of Nazareth we are to know Christ our Savior as he knows us by name in a adzact and personal way.

     4 Cornelius stares in fear. and ask What is it Lord? Cornelius definetely a brave man a soldier is in fear but speaks boldly to this angel.  The angel does not send Cornelius back to the synagogue nor does he say have these people come to your home because they will not enter the home of a Gentile. If Cornelius had spoken in the synagogue of Peter or any Christian coming to his house they would have told him to refuse to have this man in your house. Your prayers and gifts have been seen and heard by God as a memorial offering. Leviticus 2:2  And take it to Aarons sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. This tells us that Cornelius has pleased God by his works and offerings. As Christ became to God Ephesians 5:2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave up His life for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  There are many people today that are doing many good works that will please God but like Cornelius there is still something more that is needed and we can follow the work of the angel and the speech of Peter and the work of the Holy Spirit to minister to Cornelius and his friends. 5 Send men to Joppa do not go there yourself you should not speak to Peter until he is in your home. We learn both men must obey directions in order for Gods plan to be completed.

     6 Peter is with Simon the tanner by the sea he identifies Peters location at a home not a church or a place of ministry.  Once again we see the angel as delivering this message that must involve the work of people and also the Holy Spirit to complete the work. No one acts alone but are joined together and when man and God work together miracles happen. 7 Cornelius calls two servants and a soldier who was his personal aid who did believe as he did in God. He does not think it is not proper to send slaves on a mission God has choosen for him to select his messengers to be sent to Peter.

      8  Cornelius tells the story of the angel and his message maybe he ask has anyone heard of Peter it could be they did know the story of how he had raised Dorcas from the dead.   9 About noon the following day when Cornelius friends were near Joppa Peter goes on the roof to pray. We learn that God waits for the next day to instruct Peter, he will not be able to ponder the new situation overnight before they arrive only minutes after the vision kill and eat. 

      Peter prays alone just as he had so often seen Jesus do as He would go up to a mountain to be alone and pray. Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.  10 Peter did not plan to pray all night he was hungry and was waiting for his meal to be prepared Peter falls into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened Acts 7:56 Stephen says I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God. here as heaven opens something is coming down a large sheet being lowered to earth by its four corners. 12 On the sheet were four footed animals, reptiles, and birds which included many animals that were unclean as God gave the law to Moses which told the people there were some animals they were not allowed to eat. Leviticus 11 gives the list of clean and unclean food laws. 13 Then Peter hears the words Get up Peter kill and eat.  14 Peter recognizes the Lord is speaking to him as he replies I have never eaten anything impure or unclean. We can be sure that Jesus also had not violated any of the food laws or Peter would not make such a statement if Jesus did eat any of the animals that were unclean. 15 The voice is heard by Peter again. Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Have these animals changed has God recreated them to now be pure and clean. No but now there was a system to make people who were once unclean to be cleansed and purified by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse your consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God. As we live in the same body we do have our hearts and minds cleansed and prerared to know the one Living God.

     16 The sheet with all the animals appear two more times  and it is all taken away. Just as Jesus spoke to Peter three times Feed My sheep. John 21: 15-17. Peter still obeys the law as any other Jew this is what he has always has done. Following the law also kept in in fellowship with the Jews who would not allow him in the temple if he was not obeying the law. If Peter was found unclean in the temple the punishment would be severe.  This is a message that must be made clear to Peter because the men Cornelius has sent are about to arrive. Jesus did say a statement about food once Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.

     17 The men Cornelius has sent are now at the gate of the house. 18 They call out asking for Peter who is still wondering what this vision means Peter is not given any study time or the chance to share his vision and get some opinions from his fellow believers. It is doubtful that anyone would come to the conclusions that God had prepared for. 19 while Peter is still thinking the Spirit speaks to him, Simon three men are looking for you. Do not hesitate, Go with them, I have sent them. Jesus or the Spirit do not tell Peter the simple facts Jesus and the Spirit both speak to Peter but leave him with a vision he does not understand. Cornelius has a vision something you might see with your eyes open a angel appears and speaks to him and gives directions and instructions to be followed,the angel does not tell Cornelius about Jesus. Peter is in a trance which would seem to be a eyes closed event the sheet would be as large as  Noahs ark which would be the size of a football stadium with all the animals on it. The entire city would have seen at least the bottom of such a large sheet covering their city and blocking the sun. 

      Both Peters trance and the vision of Cornelius are both events that begin while the men are praying. Three men are there to see Peter who cannot explain the vision but are the people who will first be cleansed and baptized with the Holy Spirit.  In the KJV verse 17 and 20 we read And while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean and in 20 The angel instructs Peter Arise therefore , and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them. The Spirit knew that Peter in hs mind had doubt, Peter of course was filled with  the Holy Spirit, the Spirit spoke to him in a voice he would hear.  Peter doubts the meaning of the vision which would be reasonable because he does not understand. The angel instructs him Do not doubt which will cause you to hesitate which the angel warned him about also. Doubt and hesitation will cause unbelief in this action Peter is only to obey and follow instructions and complete the work God has assigned to him without allowing his own judgements and feelings for the Gentiles to be a part of Gods choice and work.

     Like Abraham  who would become the father of a new nation, Peter was about to become the father of a new world. As in Romans 4:20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. Peter must trust God now to do what He had not done before to reach out to a world of Gentiles.

      21 Peter speaks to the men, Why have you Come?  Peter still has no idea why they are there to see him he is told to go with them what they say should not stop him from leaveing with them. 22 They tell of Cornelius a centurion, he is God fearing, and respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel spoke to him and said bring Peter to his home to hear what he has to say. Here is where Peters doubt could have caused trouble as he considers going to a Gentile home he has never done this before, suddenly he will violate parts of Gods law. Peter does not doubt but takes action and brings the three men into the house with him to be his guest. The next day Peter takes six other believers with him as he leaves with his three guest on the road to Cornelius home.

     On the road Peter might have remembered another centurion who met Jesus on the road because his servant was very sick. Matthew 8:8-10 The centurion replied, Lord I do not deserve to have you come under my roof, But say the word and my servant will be healed. And Jesus replied I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. As Peter thought of this event and remembered the comments of Jesus about this mans faith he would feel better about visiting the centurion. Maybe he thought such a event as this centurion would meet him on the road before he had to enter the house.

     24 The following day they arrived in Caesarea Cornelius had brought his relatives and close friends to his home to hear Peters message. He did not want a private meeting or to hear this message before he allowed others to know what would be said. Cornelius trusted God and believed the message was for all who would believe. If he had invited any of his synagogue friends they would not be there and we do not learn if Peter does speak to them or if Cornelius does minister to some of them he might have been the first Gentile to lead a Jew to believe in Jesus Christ.  25 Peter enters the house, Cornelius falls at Peters feet in reverence. It may have been by now that Cornelius had heard of Peter bringing Dorcas back from the dead, in Roman society this would be a godlike act and the Romans did believe  or at least were told that there emperors were gods on earth. This would explain why he reacted to Peter in a way he did not act even with the angel that visited him. 26 Peter tells him ,Get up I am only a man myself. This was a man most people in Israel would fear a Roman Soldier who would kneel before Peter certainly would remove any fear  or worry  Peter may have had.

      27 Peter speaks with Cornelius and learns there is nothing he could do without entering the mans home. Peter sees the large group of people who have gathered there to hear him speak, Peter now realizes this will not be a short visit and he has already violated the law.  Just as on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem God had selected the one hundred and twenty who first received the Holy Spirit. Now God has choosen the guest of Cornelius to be present when the Holy Spirit is poured out for the first time on the Gentile believers. 28 Peter begins by explaining how he should not be in the home of a Gentile then goes on to state something he has only just learned and now believes. But God has showed me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. This was something Peter could only learn in action and face to face as his heart became assured that this is what God meant by the vision, that the Spirit would be there with him.

     29 I came here to visit you in this home. May I ask why you have sent for me? Peter might be expecting them to ask for prayer for some sick person he still did not know that they were about to become Christians. Lets look at this location now that Peter is sure he is allowed there just as in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost they are at a home. The upper room was only a large second floor room in someones home now they are in a mans home. God did not choose a synagogue or a church or even the Temple in Jerusalem that Solomon built to be Gods home to fill people with his Holy Spirit. God expects and will act with you as you minister to others in your own home as we see many times the believers met from house to house.

     Gods system and selection of the home ministry does not end because we now have large churches. It may be soon Gods work will be harmed in many large churches and the only place for Christians to pray and worship will be in our homes. We need now to train and meet with other believers in our homes so we are ready when the time comes that our churches are closed down or turned into one world religion beliefs which will deny Christ and declare there leader to be god on earth.    

      30 Cornelius answers Peters question Why have you sent for me? Four days ago I was praying a man in shining clothes said to me.  31 God has heard your prayers, and remembered your gifts to the poor. Psalm 140:12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds  the cause of the needy. Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is on Me because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. God has always had a love to help the poor and as He saw His own Son become poor on earth he rewards those who will help others who will see others suffer as He saw His own son in need. Of all the Gentiles God has picked out Cornelius based on his giving to the poor. It was the mercy that Cornelius had to serve the poor that brought the attention of God to him. Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 32 The angel tells Cornelius to have Peter come to his house now Peter knows that God had spoken to Cornelius two days before he had the vision. The work of God was going on and plans made before he knew of them Cornelius knew his name and was already sending men to pick him up.

      33 Now you are here. Let us hear all that God has commanded you to tell us. 34  Peter begins to speak I now know that God does not show favoritism . It is not said here as in other places when Peter spoke filled with the Holy Spirit. 35 But accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. 1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each mans work impartially live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.  Every nation now Peter must think of the Egyptians, the Philistines and many of the other enemy nations and people who have been the enemy of Israel. 36 Peter states that God sent Jesus Christ who is Lord of all and has brought peace for mankind. How much do these people know and understand most of what they have heard of Christ would have come from the Jews in the synagogue. Maybe they had heard Philip speak because he did live in Caesarea but he is not present at this meeting. 37 Peter tells of the start with the baptism of John and how they were waiting for the Savior that John had told them about. Johns was a baptism for repentance which is the first message they must learn to repent and be forgiven. 38 God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and power to heal the sick and all those under the power of the devil. As we know many Roman were also pagan worshipers and would need to have demons cast out. We do not know if this took place but there could not be any such believers present when the Holy Spirit arrives. 39 We are witnesses of all He did here Peter might have told of some miracles and healings Jesus had done, they may have asked about the miracles Peter had done since his ministry had begun. They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. Peter would explain how this was a sacrifice death for our sins. 40 But God raised Him from the dead not with the aid of any man but as a act of God alone to bring Jesus back to life. 41 He was seen by those who God choose to see him were there ever people present when he arrived that did not see or hear Him. We did eat and drink with Him as he appeared as a living person with a working body not as a vision which could not eat and drink. 42 Jesus commanded us to preach and testify that Christ is now judge of the living and the dead. That just as God anointed Him to have power on earth now God has given Him heavenly power to judge all who have lived. 1 Peter 4:5 But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets have testified about Christ that all who believe will receive forgiveness of sins. Peter establishes a history of prophecy to identify Christ as the Savior that has been foretold for centuries.  Now Peter will explain from the books of the prophets how the birth, life, death ,resurrection and the return of Christ  and how each act will affect our lives. As he speaks about forgiveness this may have been a time of confession repentance and for the very first time forgiveness of their sins by God. This is the very first time anyone has shared the entire story of Christ with people who were  not Jews who would know the history and the law. Peter managed to include all he needed to say and all the responses were correct and sincere and everyone there was prepared for the response of God.

      44 While Peter was still speaking he had no knowledge of what was about to happen. The Holy Spirit fell on all that heard the message. Did Peter already tell them about Pentecost day? God recognized that these people were now in a state of belief in their heart and mind to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.  Peter and the men who came with him were astonished that the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles. These six men from Joppa who must have been filled with the Holy Spirit or Peter would not have brought them on this journey  they may not have been at the first Pentecost  but were now filled again by a great act of the Holy Spirit to include all who will believe in Christ as their Savior. We like the term poured out which refers to large portions. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon the seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring. The six men who came with Peter were choosen by God to be there and may have begun to minister and train new Gentile believers.  46 They spoke in tongues and praised God they were filled and given a gift of tongues to demonstrate the Spirit was ready to work in them.  They did not speak or were not understood in different languages as on the day of Pentecost. 47 Peter declares they can be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit has already proven their faith and belief in Christ. On the day of Pentecost everyone there was already baptized in water. They were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and Peter remained with them for several days. He would tell them every story about Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit. While Cornelius got the attention of God because of his mercy and good works he and his gueat did become believers even before it was evident to Peter. They were astonished as God acted  here. First God acted in a way Peter would not have done on his own by going to the home of a Gentile then by having true repentance in their hearts and by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3: 5,6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS