SCRIPTURE: ACTS 10
CORNELIUS CALLS FOR PETER (vs. 1-8)
Cornelius was a centurion known as the Italian Regiment living at Caesarea. His whole family were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day, he saw a vision of an angel of God who came to him saying: “Cornelius, your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” (v. 3-4) When the angel had gone, Cornelius told two servants and a devout soldier to d go to Joppa.
PETER’S VISION (vs. 9-23)
While Peter was about to have a meal, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” (v. 13) Peter replied, “Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” (V. 14) The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (v. 15) This happened three times and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius arrived at Simon’s house. They called out, asking if Simon Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent To them.” (v. 20) Peter went down and said to the men, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?” (v. 21) Theo 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.” (v. 22) Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
PETER AT CORNELIUS’ HOUSE (vs. 24-48)
The next day, Peter and some of the brothers from Joppa went with them. The following day, he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter told him to stand up because he is only a man. When Peter went inside, a large gathering of people was there. Then Peter 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 unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me? (vs. 28-29)
Cornelius answered: “Four days ago, I was in my house praying at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, “Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea”. 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.” (vs. 30-33)
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 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. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him received forgiveness of sins through his name.” (vs. 34-43)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter stayed with them for a few more days.
THOUGHTS:
Cornelius was not a believer of Christ, but he was seeking God and was reverent and generous. God answered his sincere prayers by sending Peter to tell him about Christ. If you seek God sincerely, God will send the right person to tell you the right information at the right time.
Jewish laws forbid certain foods to be eaten. The food laws made it difficult for the Jews to eat with Gentiles without risking defilement. The Jews often see the Gentiles as “unclean”. Peter’s vision taught him not to look upon the Gentiles as inferior people whom God would not redeem. Before seeing the vision, Peter would have thought that a Gentile Roman officer could not accept Christ. With the vision, Peter understood that it was his responsibility to go to a Gentile home to tell Cornelius the Good News of salvation.
When Cornelius met Peter, he fell at Peter’s feet. Peter pointed Christ to him and told him to stand up. We should remember our mortality whenever we are flattered or honored and use the opportunity to give glory to God.
In the first century, the Jewish- Gentile conflict existed. Theo Jews did not want to associate with the Gentiles. But God told Peter to take the Good News to a Roman. Peter obeyed despite his background and personal feelings of indifference. God is telling us that the Good News of Christ is for everyone. We should not allow any barrier – language, culture, prejudice, geography, economic level or education level – to keep us from telling others about Christ.
Cornelius wanted Peter to stay with him for several days. He was a new believer who realized his need for teaching and fellowship. If you are a new believer, you need to be with mature Christians to learn from them.