July 6, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 10:23-48

 

Here in the book of Acts we have seen the church, that Jesus said He would build, flourish.  We have seen it persecuted.  We have seen the first martyr of the church, Stephen.  We have seen the church scattered.  We have seen Philip preach a great revival in Samaria.  We saw Peter, and John come down, and lay hands on the ones that had accepted Christ as savior.  The scriptures tell us that this was for the receiving of the Holy Ghost.  We have seen the great persecutor of the church, Saul of Tarsus, converted to a believer, and now preacher of the Gospel.  So far it has been all about the Jews, today we will see Peter use the keys of authority to open the door to salvation to the gentiles.

 

Here in the beginning of chapter 10 we saw God, in a vision, tell Peter that it was alright to go and preach to the gentiles.  Just as God was working on both ends of Saul, and Ananias’s situation, He is also working on Cornelius, and Peter’s situation.  Telling Cornelius to send for Peter, and telling Peter it is alright to go.

 

Let’s begin:

 

Peter, after being greeted by the three men, and told what they were there for, Peter invites them in to spend the night.

 

Act 10:23-48  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.  (24)  And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 

·         We notice that Cornelius is expecting really good things to come from Peter’s visit, so, he invites all his family, and even close friends to be there to hear what Peter has to say.

(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. 

·         Is this not a lesson for us?  There are men and women that deserve our respect, but not our worship.

(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;

·         God does this to protect His people from the sinful ways of other nations.

·         He tries to help the church in this manner also: 

2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Peter goes on:

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? 

·         Not expecting any monetary reward.  Freely you have received, freely give.

(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. 

 

 

(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. 

·         Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

·         In every nation;  he that fears; and works righteousness, or does good works;  God will accept.

(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. 

·         A very short, and to the point gospel message from Peter.

·         This message falls on hungry ears.  People that are hungering for a relationship with God.  So what are the results?

(44)  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 

·         Another miraculous event of the Holy Ghost being poured out.

(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.  (46)  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

·         Now we just witnessed in chapter 8, that the Holy Ghost was given by the laying on of hands by an Apostle.  Here the Holy Ghost comes on these believers, just by Peter speaking to them.

·         Again the sign was speaking in tongues, or another language. 

·         Now let’s notice.

This is what I see in this passage,

1.       We see a group of gentiles that love, and fear God.  They do not speak the same language, or dialect that these Jews do, that came with Peter.  They have just heard that they can be accepted into the family of God, and they are overjoyed with the thought of being accepted by God.

2.      Therefore, they begin to rejoice, and praise God in their own language, and Luke, the writer of this letter, uses the word tongues, meaning their language.

3.      These people are excited about being able to worship God, just like anyone should be.

 

So what are the results:

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.

 

We have just witnessed the plan of salvation in action.

1.       The gospel preached.

2.      The gospel received, which means, as Peter puts it, RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST.  Then being baptized in the name (or the authority) of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3.      You see, it’s because you received God’s Spirit, that He leads you into the waters of baptism, which washes away your sins, and places you into the body of Christ, the church.

 

Almighty God, thank you for this wonderful plan of salvation, that is for whosoever will call on the name of Lord.  Help us, as Your church, to be found worthy upon Your return.  Amen.