May 23, 2022
Evening Service

In the last few chapters of the Book of Acts we have seen the persecution against the church intensify.  In chapter 7, Stephen preached to the Council and was stoned to death.  Saul of Tarsus was there holding the coats of those who threw the stones.  Chapter 8 reveals to us that through the death of Stephen, many in the church were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.  God used this time of confusion for good, as wherever believers went they continued to spread the gospel message.  Saul continued to persecute the church reaping “havoc” among believers.  Chapter 9 last week brought us an unforeseen curve in the plot.  Jesus appeared to Saul and did not call him to judgement, but to salvation and to the ministry.  The biggest enemy of the church, was now one of its biggest leaders!  Only God does things like that!  Saul, who becomes Paul, “spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

At the end of the chapter, Peter again returns to the story as he raised a Dorcas, who was “full of good works and charitable deeds,” back from the dead.  Through this miracle, “many believed on the Lord.”  We left Peter staying in Joppa staying at Simon the tanner’s house.  Chapter 10 is a very exciting time that changes everything as the gospel is opened up truly to “whosoever will!”

 Act 10:1-8 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, (2) a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.  (3)  About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"  (4)  And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.  (5)  Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.  (6)  He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do."  (7)  And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.  (8)  So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

            Cornelius was a centurion meaning that he was a man in authority commanding over 100 men.  It is stated here that he was “a devout man and one who feared God, gave generously to the people and prayed always to God.”  He was a good man, but he was not saved because salvation had only been given to those of the Jewish decent. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  God sees Cornelius and recognizes his sincere faith.  God here is rewarding Cornelius for his diligence in seeking Him as He tells him to send for Peter to “tell you what you must do.”

Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

 

Act 10:9-16 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.  (10)  Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance (11) and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.  (12)  In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.  (13)  And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."  (14)  But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."  (15)  And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."  (16)  This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

            We see the workings of God.  He speaks to Cornelius through a visions on one end and does the same for Peter on the other end.  God speaks to us many ways and visions can be one of those ways.  He also does not always speak as plainly and concise as what we saw this morning, but allows us an opportunity to utilize the Spirit within us to guide us to what He is telling us.  All Jews were taught from birth forward of the many things that they were able to eat and those which they were forbidden from.  The vision is instructing Peter to look at things from a new perspective in regards to these foods that he calls “unclean.”  Never had Peter violated the rules and eaten any of these things, but now God was revealing to him that things were about to change.  As Peter wonders what these visions really mean, the men Cornelius has sent to him arrive.

 

Act 10:17-23 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.  (18)  And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.  (19)  While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.  (20)  Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."  (21)  Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?"  (22)  And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you."  (23)  Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

            God’s plan continues to take shape as the two sides now meet and it is the Holy Spirit that reassures Peter that this is from God not man.  He is instructed to “go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”  Peter still does not see the “big picture” here, but is instructed to “go doubting nothing.” The same can be true for us as well.  God may call us to do something that makes no sense to us from our viewpoint, but we too need to obediently move forward trusting (not doubting) the Spirit to lead us correctly.  We are called to follow at times even when we don’t understand.

 

Act 10:24-27 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.  (25)  As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.  (26)  But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."  (27)  And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.

            This act of worship could have been a temptation for Peter to become arrogant.  To think a Roman soldier bowing down to a simple Jewish fisherman had to seem ironic to him.  However, Peter is well grounded and quickly in humility rebukes any worship towards himself.  Peter enters into a Gentile’s home which normally would be a hostile environment that he would not be welcome in, nor would he have chosen to be there.  The Spirit now reveals to him that the visions he had were about much more than just clean and unclean food.

 

Act 10:28-33 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  (29)  Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"  (30)  So 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, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.  (32)  Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'  (33)  So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

            Peter realizes that God is speaking to him not to call any man “common or unclean,” judging them to be unworthy of hearing the good news of the gospel message.  He then asks a very wise question to clarify the intentions of Cornelius.  It helps to know the whole story before speaking and Peter’s question here does just that.  As people come to you with questions, it helps to know their motivation behind the question in order to answer it correctly.  Cornelius sticks to the facts and tells his side of the story that has now involved Peter.  He verifies that he is acting solely upon the urging of the angel to do exactly what he has done so far.  He, like Peter, probably has no idea what is happening in this moment, but is simply being obedient to the commands given to him.  Peter now shares the gospel message with the Gentiles for the first time ever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Act 10:34-43 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  (35)  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  (36)  The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— (37) that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by 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 killed by hanging on a tree.  (40)  Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, (41) not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.  (42)  And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.  (43)  To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

            Oh the beauty and simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus was sent to earth, lived a perfect life fully obedient to God’s call, died upon the cross and was raised again to life on the third day.  It is through His Name alone that the remission of sin is give.  Upon hearing this message, the Spirit moved within this group of the Gentiles.

 

  Act 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.  (45)  And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.  (46)  For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, (47) "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"  (48)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

            With the completion of Peter obediently sharing the gospel message, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon these Gentiles very similar to how it was with the disciples in the upper room.  They believed and began praising God and speaking in other languages as the disciples had done.  Many will try to use those two scriptures to burden new converts in to believing that they must “Speak in tongues as the essential evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.”  This is not a correct doctrine.  There are several other instances of people being converted in this Book of Acts, but not all include the speaking in tongues.  If it were required, it would have happened each and every time, which it did not.  Tongues, or more appropriately languages, are a gift given to some, but not all believers.  Baptism, on the other hand, is “commanded” to follow confession each and every time.  It is an essential part of beginning our journey with Christ.

            Think for a moment of the magnitude of what has just happened.  Now truly salvation has been opened up to “whosoever will believe upon the name of Jesus as Lord.”  If not for the Gentiles inclusion, we would be on the outside looking in.  God reveals that the ground is now level at the foot of the cross, no man stays higher than I.  This is also another way that God brings reconciliation to this world.  Through Christ we are reconciled to God, and now through Christ we are reconciled to other believers regardless of their background.  All believers are now one under Christ.

            Jesus said “I make all things new” and He certainly is doing just that.  Everything now is different with the Law not being done away with, but fulfilled.  This was the plan from the very beginning.  We are not judged by God by our skin color, lineage, or even our works but by faith alone.  Let me close with this statement from Paul to the Ephesians.

 

Eph 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  (8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (10)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

Heavenly Father thank You for this perfect plan of salvation.  Open our hearts and minds to understand Your love that include all who choose to believe in Jesus.