INTRODUCTION: While the Risen Lord was still instructing the Eleven, as is recorded in the first chapter of Acts, He told them to spread the Good News throughout the entire world, starting at Jerusalem. Had His will been accomplished? In the first few chapters we find the early church ministering only to the Jews in Jerusalem and in Judea. In Acts 8 we read of Phillip’s ministry among the Samaritans. But the early community had not ventured out to share the Good News with the Gentiles. The events, recorded in the 10th chapter have Peter as the principal character, along with Cornelius. Gareth Reese writes the following,
“It is noteworthy that God selected Peter for the purpose of preaching the Gospel first to the Gentiles. This in harmony with the events at Caesarea Phillipi, where after making the good confession of Christ, Peter was told that he would be given the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18, 19). Peter uses those keys for the Jews’ benefit on the Day of Pentecost; He is now about to use the keys to open the door of the Church to the Gentiles.”
So, we invite you to study with us as we journey through the first 23 verses of Acts 10. Let each one of us be looking to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
THE MAN CORNELIUS: Acts 10:1-2
Who is this man, Cornelius? What does the Word of God tell us of him? Sometimes we think of Jerusalem as the most prominent city in Palestine at the time. And it is so if we look at things from a biblical standpoint. But to the Romans, the most important city in the land was Caesarea. It was here that the Rome had their seat of government.
Caesarea was a port city on the Mediterranean coast, built by Herod the Great, and became the Roman capital of Judea. Cornelius was a Roman Centurion stationed in Casarea. He is depicted in the New Testament as a God-fearing man. These were a class of Gentile sympathizers to Hellenistic Judaism that existed in the Greco-Roman world. They observed certain Jewish religious rites and traditions without becoming full converts to Judaism. He was known as a man of prayer who was very generous financially with the people. The events that follow tell us that we serve a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God.
THE PRAYER OF CORNELIUS; Acts 10:3-7a
We now come to the actual prayer of Cornelius. He is praying at the ninth hour, that is 3:00 p.m. Luke says that Cornelius saw a vision of an angel of God. In verse 3 the angel speaks clearly to Cornelius, calling him by name. The angel may have assumed human form. In verse 4 Cornelius fixed his gaze upon the heavenly messenger. The text tells us that he was alarmed. I suppose that you and I would be just as alarmed as he was. He calls the angel “Lord.” H. Leo Boles wrote the following,
“It seems that Cornelius recognized the angel as a messenger from God: hence he addressed the angel as ‘Lord.’”
The angel informs Cornelius that his prayers have been heard and are going to be answered by God, Himself.
In verse 5 we’re told that the angel told Cornelius what to do. He tells him to send some men to Joppa to contact Simon, who is also called Peter. Verse 6 tells us where Peter is staying. He is living with Simon, the tanner. We’re further told that Simon’s hose is by the sea. In the first part of verse 7 the angel departed.
CORNELIUS SENDS HIS SERVANTS IN SEARCH OF PETER: ACTS 10:7b-9a
In the second part of verse 7 we have Cornelius summoning his servants to his side. He also calls a devout soldier. These were the ones he entrusted with this most important task. In verse 8 he explains to them the situation before sending them to Joppa. James Burton Coffman, in his Commentary on Acts, writes the following,
“Having rehearsed all these things unto them…’ A mutual love and trust between Cornelius and his subordinates appear in such a thing as this. Rather than writing a letter, Cornelius fully explained all the details and purpose of the mission to trusted servants and sent them on their way.”
It appears, from the text, that they left the same day. They were found the next day approaching the city of Joppa. Since it was about 30 miles between the 2 cities, it is assumed they traveled all night.
GOD REVEALS HIS WILL TO PETER VIA A TRANCE: Acts 10:9b-16.
In the latter half of the 9th verse we find Peter on the roof-top ready to pray at the 6th hour, that is 12:00 noon. Verse 10 informs us that Peter became very hungry and as the preparations for the meal were taking place he fell into a trance. In verse 11 we’re told that the sky opened up. The text tells us that an object kike a sheet was lowered from the sky. Verse 12 gives us the contents. “And there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air.” Here we have a mixture of clean and unclean animals. James Burton Coffman, in his Commentary on Acts, published by “Firm Foundation,” has this to say,
“’All manner…’ is the significant word concerning those creatures let down. In Leviticus the 11th chapter, one may find a list for clean and unclean creatures, the latter being forbidden for Jews to eat; but the collection of creatures Peter saw was clearly made up of many that were unclean. God was about to open Peter’s eyes to the truth, stressed by Paul, that ’every creature of God is good (to eat); and that nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving.” (1 Tim. 4:4).
Of course, this was no new doctrine ‘discovered’ by the apostles; Jesus had plainly taught this, but it took a miracle to get Peter to believe it. See Mark 7:151-9. A similar thing may also be noted in Peter’s Pentecostal declaration that the promise of the gospel was ‘to them that are afar off,’ plainly including the Gentiles; but the miracle before us was required before Peter could understand that this meant that the Gentiles could receive the gospel without being circumcised and keeping the law of Moses.”
Concerning this same passage, Garreth Reese writes the following comments,
“The particular point of the vision is that a law peculiar to the Law of Moses is going to be called into question. It was designed to teach Peter an important lesson in regard to the introduction of the Gospel to all nations. Certain distinctions that used to be true are no longer true.”
In verse 13 the voice tells Peter to “arise, Peter, kill and eat.” But in verse 14 he refuses. He says that he has never eaten anything unclean. In verse 15 we find the Lord’s reply to Peter. “And again, a voice came to him a second time, what God has cleanses, no longer consider unholy.: In verse 16 Luke tells us that this was repeated three times. After this happened the object was taken back into the sky. Perhaps at thus time Peter was coming to the realization that the Law was be abolished, yea it was already abolished.
THE MESSENGERS FROM CORNELIUS ARRIVE IN JOPPA: Acts 10:17-23
Verse 17 informs us that Peter didn’t what to make of the events that had transpired. This verse further informs up of the arrival of the messengers from Cornelius. In verse 18 they were found inquiring if Peter was there. It was at this time that the Spirit told Peter that the three men were looking for him. The Holy Spirit further instructs Peter in verse 20, telling him to accompany the men without asking questions.
In verse 21 Peter descends from the roof top and identified himself to the messengers from Cornelius. He asks them why they have come to seek him. They tell Peter that Cornelius was informed and directed by an angel to send for him to come to his house in Caesarea that he might hear message from him. In verse 23a Peter invites them in and offer them lodging for the night.
It is here we have chosen to divide the chapter. In the next lesson we will continue our studies and finish the remaining 10 verses. We ask that the reader study with us and be prepared to continue the journey through the Book of Acts.
The upcoming article will be titled, “Peter Preaches the Gospel to the Gentiles.” Please pray with us as we endeavor to present these studies. Let’s always be looking for the return of the Lord of Glory!
Until next time, Maranatha! (1 Cor. 16:22