Bible Studies
This chapter opens with a centurion named Cornelius, "a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household." He also was a generous giver and prayed continually (verse 2). Let's back up a moment. It is significant how many times the family or household is mentioned in scripture. The family unit is important to God and is one of the "institutions" given by him.
Cornelius saw in a vision an angel of God who addressed him by name. He was given specific instructions to send some of his men to Joppa to bring Simon, also called Peter. Wow! Think of that. An angel of God addressed him by name. I would call that definitely a divine directive. Cornelius dispatched two of his servants and a "devout soldier (verses 3-8).
Peter was on his housetop praying and became hungry, but fell into a trance. He saw a sheet coming out of the sky with all kinds of animals and creatures, accompanied by a voice saying, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat" (13). There it is again. Peter was addressed by God.
Peter responded with a lack of understanding based upon centuries of religious practices and tradition. He said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy or unclean" (14). He was not trying to argue with God; he just didn't see the sense of what he was being asked to do. How prone are all of us as Christians to do the same?
God was about to add an entire new group of people to hear the gospel, the Gentiles, which included all non-Jews. God was up to something new, and Peter was the one whom he selected to initiate his plan, but didn't know it yet. To make sure he understood, God spoke to him three times, informing him that what once was unclean and unholy, no longer was (9-16). Peter got the message.
While reflecting on the vision the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. But arise, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings; for I have sent them Myself" (19-20). This is very important! God confirmed the vision. Without divine confirmation a vision can be nothing more than a vision which could be invalid and misleading. After being told that he was the one for whom the men were looking, further confirmation was given. Verse 22 says the men told him that "Cornelius... was divenly directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and hear a message from you."
Peter is still unaware of what is about to transpire. He is responding in faith and obedience, without misgivings. The next day he arose and went with them to Caesarea. Upon entering his home, Cornelius bowed to Peter in worship, but Peter told him to stand up, that he, too, was just a man. Peter was not about to let all of this get the best of him, in making him full of pride. He told the people assesmbled that he came because God showed him that nothing is to be called unclean or unholy, and that he came without raising any objection. (23-29).
In verses 30-33 Cornelius relates his experience as to why Peter was there.
The apostle gives the very first salvation message to the Gentiles. He opens it with the statement: "I most certainly understand that God is not one to show partiality, but in evey nation the man who fears him and does what is right, is welcome to him" (34-35). The sermon emphasizes the death and resurrection of Jesus and the fact that the apostles were witnesses of this. Verses 40-41 are very significant. They state that Jesus was raised from the dead that "he should become visible." These two important verses also say that there were some witnesses "who ate and drank with him after He arose from the dead." Peter is making a very strong case for the physical and bodily resurrection of Christ. That is the defining belief of a Christian, for it says in I Corinthians 15:17, "and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless, and you are still in your sins."
The chapter closes with what I would call the "Pentecost of the Gentiles." The Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening. The Jews were amazed because "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also" (45). They began to speak in tongues. The Pentecostals would love this verse, but there is absolutely no indication that it was a worked up gibberish or "heavenly language" as some call it. We have to assume, then, from the first Pentecost in Acts 2, that they were supernaturally speaking in unlearned foreign languages. After this, they were baptized by water (47). It is very clear here that the Holy Spirt enters the life of a person upon confession of faith and that water baptism is an outward symbol of that confession.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever "been on the edge" of something new to be done by God? Would you like to be?
2. Are there ways that you have seen God divinely direct your life?
3. Did you ever read a verse of scripture or hear a sermon that seemed to be directed to you, personally?
4. Has God ever used your life in an unexpected and mighty way?
5. Do you know beyond a doubt that you are exactly where God wants you?
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