Acts Chapter 10
CONTENTS
1. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always (v.1-2).
2. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 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. So, when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa (v.3-8).
3. 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. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 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 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” (v. 9-13)
4. But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice said to him a second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again (v. 14-16).
5. 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. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there (v.17-18).
6. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” 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?” 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 the words from you.” Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied them (v.19-23).
7. And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man” As he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 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. Therefore, I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent me?” (v.24-29)
8. 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, and said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of the God. 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.” 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.” (V.30-33)
9. Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all-that word you now, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 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. 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 tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 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. 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. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins (v.34-43).
10. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon those who heard the word. And those of the circumcised 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. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God (v.44-46).
11. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days (v.46-48).
COMMENTARY
1. Cornelius was probably a God-fearer, who believed in Judaism and worshipped the LORD but not circumcised. He feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God. Being a centurion of the Italian regiment, comprising of 6000 men under ten cohorts of 600 men each, he had soldiers and servants under him. He prayed always. It was the ninth hour when he prayed and fasted that he saw the angel appearing to him in a vision. The angel said to Cornelius, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.” And commanded him to send for Peter who was staying in Joppa with Simon the tanner whose house was by the sea; for Peter would tell him what he must do. Peter having raised Tabitha from the dead, stayed at Joppa for many days. Lodging with Simon perhaps removed Peter’s prejudice against one whose trade he likely considered repulsive. (v.1-8)
2. At Joppa in Simon’s house, Peter fasted and went up to the housetop at the sixth hour to pray. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, Peter fell into a trance 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. In it were all kinds of animals, wild beasts and birds. A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! But I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” The voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” God through the vision was instructing Peter not to persist in his prejudice against the Gentiles. Also, Peter was to go to Cornelius the Italian centurion at Caesarea to preach the word. All those days, Peter had held to the tradition that it was unlawful to keep company with or go to one of another nation. As Peter pondered over what the vision meant, the messengers from Cornelius in Caesarea reached the house of Simon the tanner at Joppa and asked for Peter. The Holy Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” (v. 9-20)
3. Peter went the next day with the three messengers of Cornelius accompanied by six brethren from Joppa (v.23; 11:12). These six brethren were of the circumcision who believed the Lord Jesus Christ. Later they witnessed the Holy Spirit being poured on Cornelius and those of his household listening to the preaching of Peter (v.45-46)
4. Cornelius had called together his relatives and close friends to hear what Peter had to say to them about the words of God, by which he and all his household will be saved (v.24, 32-33; 11:11-14). When Peter entered his house, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am a man.” Peter knew that worship should be accorded to God only.
5. Peter then said that he came to them at Caesarea without objection because of the vision that he saw at Joppa. For they know just as he did, how unlawful it was for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God had shown him that he should not call any man common or unclean (v.26-29). The old covenant which was abolished, separated the Israelites from the Gentiles because of circumcision. The new covenant established by Christ Jesus with His blood is that all are one in Him by faith and baptism in His name. Both Jews and Gentiles are the children of Abraham, heirs in hope of eternal life (Heb. 8:7-10, 13; 9:11-15, 10:11-16; Gal. 3:26-29; I Cor. 12:12-13)
6. Cornelius also testified to Peter and those who accompanied him to Caesarea that four days earlier he saw a vision of an angel appearing to him at the ninth hour, as he fasted and prayed. The angel charged him to send men to Joppa and call Simon whose surname was Peter, who was lodging with a tanner by the sea, to come to them to tell them all the things commanded him by God. So, he sent to Peter immediately and he had done well to come. Therefore, they were all present before God to hear all the things God had commanded Peter (v.30-33). Afterward, Cornelius and kinsmen had the gift of the Holy Spirit poured on them, the grace of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and of salvation given them. God acknowledged them, purifying their hearts by faith (Acts 15:7-8).
7. Peter then perceived the truth that God show no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word that God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all-that word they knew which was proclaimed throughout Judea and began from Galilee after the baptism of John, preached 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 (v.34-38). Peter had the Holy Spirit to bear testimony when he went and preached to Cornelius and household at Caesarea. The Holy Spirit coming on them as they heard Peter was a turning point in the history of the apostolic church. They then knew that Gentiles would also be saved and not Jews only, if they repent and turn to the living and true God, to serve Jesus as Lord and Christ (v. 40-43; I Thess. 1:6-10).
8. Peter and the rest were witnesses of all the things which Jesus did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem whom they killed by hanging Him on the cross. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before God, even to them who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And Peter and the rest were commanded to preach to the people and to testify that it was He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him Jesus, all the prophets witnessed that through His name whoever believes in Him will received remission of sins. Those disciples and apostles who preached Jesus Christ did so with conviction, and courage and faith, for they were witnesses of His resurrection (Acts 2:31-32; 4:18-20; 5:27-32).
9. Cornelius and household receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as Peter spoke the word of God to them in the house at Caesarea. The Jews who accompanied Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Peter then said, “Can anyone forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (v.44-48). The evidence of them having received the gift of the Holy Spirit was tongue-speaking, just as the disciples received the promised Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost – they spoke in spiritual tongues (11:15-17; 8:15-20; 19:6).
TEACHINGS
1. A godly life of prayers and fasting, giving of alms and fearing God with our household is the spiritual sacrifice which we ought to present to our Lord. It will rise for a memorial before Him (Rom. 12:1-2; I Pet. 2:5; Gal. 6:7-10).
2. Do not despise the abundant grace of the Lord Jesus Christ but know that His goodness is for our repentance. Paul was chosen before the foundation of the earth, separated by Him from the mother’s womb that he should be a minister of the gospel and apostle to the Gentiles.
Yet his early years were spent in folly, for with erroneous zeal he persecuted the Way. He repented and with godly grief turned to the Lord Jesus (Rom. 2:4-5; Gal. 1:15-16; Eph. 1:4-5; II Cor. 7:10; Rom. 8:29-30).
3. Be taught by the Holy Spirit, praying and seeking the wisdom from above which comes from God. Paul did not confer with men but went to Arabia where he was revealed the mystery of the word of God, the truth concerning salvation.
So, when he preached, he spoke the mystery of God’s will not by persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and of power, that the faith of the church should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (I Cor. 2:4; 10-13, Eph. 1:9-12; Gal. 1: 11-12, 17-18).
4. When serving the Lord Jesus in the ministry of the gospel of salvation and carrying out His will, do not be prejudiced against those of other nationality, poor, old, sick, widows, or those illiterate and unable to contribute much to the church in terms of skills and talents.
Christ died for all sinners. Anyone who is willing to repent and turn to Jesus with faith and sincerity of heart, must be accepted without reservation and with love of God (I Cor. 1:20-29).
5. Daily life of prayers is established when we have fixed time every day to kneel and pray. Life of daily prayers at fixed hours in the day enable us to be focused on the things of God and the faith in Jesus Christ. It was the sixth hour of the day that Peter prayed at the housetop in Joppa with fasting, and the vision was given to him.
Cornelius fasted and prayed at the ninth hour of the day, that the angel appeared and told him to send men to Joppa to call Peter to Caesarea and preach the word to him and household (I Thess. 5:16-18). It is important that each one among the brethren establishes a life of daily prayers.
