Ten years previous Jesus said to preach the Gospel to every creature. Until now, they had not spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. They had ministered to the Jews of the surrounding areas.

The Lord will entrust Peter to open the door. His first convert, Cornelius, Corn Dawg to my kids when they first heard the story from me. Corn Dawg’s life up to his encounter with Peter could be described thus:

Influence

The influence of Judaism on the life of Cornelius was the desire of God that the Jews be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6), a teacher of the immature, a corrector of the foolish, and a light to those who are in darkness (Romans 2:17-20). A proselyte, he was open to hear and accept the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob over Jupiter, Juno, and Mars.

Introduction

Peter, a devout Jewish man, had been inculcated in Mosaic Law, avoided Gentiles, and never, EVER had bacon and eggs for breakfast. So when the call came to kill the pig and eat pork chops, his predictable response, pure Peter,  “By no means Lord!” is comical. (Who but Peter would say such a contradictory thing as “No, Lord?” Oh, you have? Tsk. OK, so have I…)

Imbuing

Peter concludes preaching the Gospel, those gathered believe, and the Holy Spirit indwells them (and all believers), and falls on these new believers the same way He came to the Jewish believers back in chapter 2, thus authenticating to the Jewish Christians that the church is for all, Gentile and Jew.

Inertia

The Holy Spirit makes it very clear that He desires all nations to become Christians (OT & NT refs here) and the church in this and other sections of the book beginning in the next chapter. Peter uses this example to exhort the Jewish Christians as equals, and also serves to re-iterate that the Law has been done away with as far the ceremonial cleanliness laws are concerned.

Notes

Acts 10:1 – A legion was 6000, a cohort 600, and groups of a hundred led by centurions, the master sergeants of the day, brave, sound, and strong. The centurions speak but the word and my servant shall be healed. … Truly this was the son of God…

Acts 10:2 – The HS notes his faith of God, fear of God, yet he was not saved; despite his almsgiving and prayer. He did not know Jesus. If all covenants or all paths lead to God, you would have to omit this chapter from the Bible.  And he was not converted to Judaism, but to Christianity.

But all those who truly seek God will find Him. God will do whatever it takes, including sending an angel to minister to him.

His whole familiy also feared God, a testament to his leadership.

Acts 10:6 – A tanner could be spotted a mile away from the stench.

Note: the angel didn’t share the Gospel with Cornelius, that privilege was left to a man.

Acts 10:11 – The house in Joppa right at the Mediterannean. Sheet can also be translated sail.

Acts 10:14 – Who else but Peter could admonish God?! “Not so” and “Lord” don’t belong together.

Acts 10:15 – {328} Words to live by. God has cleansed us, too. He chose you before the foundation of the World. John 13:18  Also 2Co 5:21, Heb4:16

Acts 10:16 – For emphasis

Acts 10:21 – Note that the HS is working on both ends. If someone says “The Lord told me to tell you” something, you will know because of this principle.

Acts 10:23 – Good show Peter, the barriers are starting to come down with these Gentiles. Having a Gentile in a Jew’s home was considered defiling.

Peter wasn’t 100% sure about this, so he took a few of the boys with him.

Acts 10:25 – They still do that in Rome to this day; lining up 45-50 minutes to kiss  his feet. The big big toe on the right foot is missing because of this.

Acts 10:27 – Home Bible study time

Acts 10:28 – Peter is beginning to get the picture

Acts 10:31 – This refutes the notion that God hears the prayers of unbelievers.

Acts 10:33 – A good congregation produces a good preacher.

Acts 10:34 – God is no respecter of persons

Acts 10:39 – Hanged on a tree – The Jews executed by stoning, the Romans (Gentiles) kill on a tree; the inference is that all men are guilty, leaving no room for antisemitism.

Acts 10:44 – Peter is again interrupted by God, the HS. First by the Father, (Mat 17:2-9, Mar 9:2-10, Luk 9:29-36) by Jesus, (Mat 17:24-25 )

Note that the Spirit moved as Peter spoke the Word. He did not expect it. Col 3 the Word of God dwell in you richly…, Eph 5 Be not drunk with wine…

Acts 10:46 – This is the Biblical and proper use of tongues. It is a message of praise to God. Unknown tongues, that is.

Acts 10:47 – Note the water Baptism after the Baptism of the HS.