Sharing CHRIST With All People – Acts 10:1-48 - July 15, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – Sharing CHRIST With All People – July 15, 2007

This is lesson three (3) in our series of study.

Our background and focus scripture is Acts 10:1-48.

The dynamics in the scripture is awesome. We have the opportunity to see how GOD works in the hearts and lives of those HE calls to serve HIM. The same is true for each of us as we serve our LORD.

We will see how GOD is working in the lives of Cornelius, a Gentile and the Apostle Peter, who is a converted Jew.

Let’s read Acts 10:1-48: (With Comments)

Cornelius’ Vision
1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a • centurion of what was called the Italian • Regiment. 2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the [Jewish]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. people and always prayed to God. 3 At about three in the afternoon[1] Lit about the ninth hour he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. 8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Cornelius is a Gentile Roman centurion. As a centurion he had command of one hundred (100) soldiers. We see from the scripture that Cornelius was devout and in awe of GOD. Not only was he in awe of GOD but his entire household. He was searching for truth and doing all he could to find truth. He was very charitable which included the Jews. GOD looks at the heart and GOD saw that Cornelius’s heart was pure. GOD allowed an angel to appear to Cornelius and give him specific instructions.

Cornelius had a decision to make. Was this from GOD or his imagination? His actions reveal that Cornelius was sincere in his search for GOD and to be righteous before GOD. Cornelius selects three (3) men to go to Joppa to find this person called Simon who is staying with Simon the tanner. Joppa is about thirty (30) miles from Caesarea.

We know based upon our last week’s lesson that Peter went to Joppa because Tabitha was ill but she died before he arrived at her house. GOD used that event to raise Tabitha from the dead and as a result many people in that area became believers. Peter remained in Joppa.

The Apostle Peter is a devout Christian Jew. He was steeped in tradition which resulted in a devout Jew keeping separate from a Gentile. Peter is the leader of the apostles. As we k now the leader sets the path others will follow.

Tradition is good but it can interfere with serving the LORD. GOD knew the heart of Peter and HE knew HE had to prepare Peter’s heart to serve HIM fully. The next scripture tells us while Cornelius’s men were traveling to meet Peter, GOD was preparing Peter’s heart for the job HE had for him to accomplish.

Leadership has it responsibilities. It is so important for leaders to know themselves and make sure they are not harboring any prejudice in their heart.

Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop at about noon.[2] Lit about the sixth hour 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object coming down that resembled a large sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common[3] Perhaps profane, or non-sacred; Jews ate distinctive food according to OT law and their traditions, similar to modern kosher or non-kosher foods. and unclean!” 15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into heaven.

GOD had to prepare Peter’s heart before he could serve HIM fully. Peter is the leader of the apostles and he must have his heart in the right place so he will not be a stumbling block in spreading the gospel to all people.

GOD had given certain rules to HIS chosen people to separate them from the pagan and heathen practices. The rules were to protect them but the Jewish religious leaders, over the years, connected the food to be avoided to include avoiding the people who ate the forbidden food. In other words, those who ate the forbidden food also became unclean and should be avoided. A devout Jew could not touch a Gentile and could not enter the house/cross the threshold of a Gentile.

GOD knew Peter’s heart had to be changed before he could be obedient to HIM and reach out to Cornelius. This is a critical event which would pave the way to open the gospel to the Gentiles.

GOD made it clear to Peter that HE is the creator of all things and don’t call HIS creations common or unclean. Peter knew that the Jews did consider the things he had seen to be unclean. GOD is telling him that HE can make that which is considered unclean by man to be clean. GOD is in the cleaning business. HE cleans our lives through the shed blood of JESUS. When we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR our sins are poured into CHRIST and CHRIST’S righteousness is poured into us.

Peter Visits Cornelius
17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.” 21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter[4] Lit He then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27 While talking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there. 28 Peter[5] Lit He said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, ‘Why did you send for me?’ ” 30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon,[6] Lit at the ninth hour I was[7] Other mss add fasting and praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. 32 Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’[8] Other mss add When he arrives, he will speak to you. 33 Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God, to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

WOW!!! What an event.

GOD prepared the heart of Peter. Peter met the Gentile men that Cornelius had sent. Verse 23 reveals that GOD had gotten Peter’s attention because he invited them into the place he was staying. They spent the night there. The next morning they left for Caesarea.

When they arrived Cornelius had invited his relatives and close friends to hear what this man, whom GOD has sent to them, has to say.

Cornelius bows down to Peter. It is likely an act of honor and respect but Peter responds immediately by helping him up and tells him that he is a mere man like himself. This is very revealing about Peter. GOD had just used Peter sometime earlier to raise Tabitha from the dead. This reveals to us that Peter’s heart is not puffed up or arrogant. Peter is a mere man doing GOD’S work.

That is all any of us are doing. We are GOD’S people doing the will of GOD as HE directs.

Peter made it clear to Cornelius and his guests that since Peter was a Jew, he was “forbidden” to associate with a foreigner. Forbidden means unlawful or it is a violation of the established order. Peter did not violate the forbidden order because the Old Testament forbids a Jew from entering into a contract or marriage with Gentiles. This was to keep the Jewish nation pure. The Jews then added to this principle, that any and all contact with Gentiles must be avoided. But Peter quickly made it clear that GOD had set him straight. We will see how profound this revelation is to Peter in our next scripture when Peter sees truth come together.
As Cornelius recounts the events that resulted in him sending his men to get Peter, this recount must have sent a sense of awe of GOD’S greatness down Peter’s spine.

Oh what a joy it is to see the hand of GOD at work.

Good News for Gentiles
34 Then Peter began to speak: “In truth, I understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36 He sent the message to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all. 37 You know the events[9] Lit thing, or word that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and curing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him. 39 We ourselves are witnesses of everything He did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem; yet they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. 40 God raised up this man on the third day and permitted Him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people, and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.”

Peter began to preach the gospel of CHRIST. His first words are “In truth”. This is a very revealing statement. Peter knew that GOD had spoken to him in Joppa. Cornelius revealed to Peter that GOD, through an angel, had spoken to him in Caesarea. Peter connected the dots and saw clearly that GOD had spoken to both of them. This is a revealed truth and it is a clear example that GOD does not show favoritism. The word “favoritism” as used here means judging a person based upon how they look, their ethnicity, or their circumstances or any combination of these.

Peter continued his message that CHRIST came to the Jews first but now it was clear that CHRIST is also for all other people. The fact that CHRIST judges both the living and the dead reveals that CHRIST has complete authority on earth and in heaven.

Gentile Conversion and Baptism
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers[10] Jewish Christians who stressed circumcision; Ac 11:2; 15:5; Gl 2:12; Col 4:11; Ti 1:10 who had come with Peter were astounded, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking in [other]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. languages and declaring the greatness of[11] Or and magnifying God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

While Peter was speaking, he was interrupted by the HOLY SPIRIT being manifested among those believing in CHRIST as their SAVIOR and LORD.

GOD needed to confirm in Peter’s heart and the hearts of the Jews who came with him that GOD is no respecter of people and that salvation is free to all who believe. This must have been and awesome experience.

Peter saw that the same HOLY SPIRIT which had come upon the people at Pentecost had now come to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were speaking in other languages just as what happened on the day of Pentecost. This was not ecstatic utterances but other known languages, again just like Pentecost. In essence this is the Gentile Pentecost. GOD did not have to send the HOLY SPIRIT twice but HE had to show that the HOLY SPIRIT is for everyone including the Gentiles.

There was an outward manifestation of the HOLY SPIRIT when the Samaritans accepted CHRIST as their SAVIOR as reported in Acts 8:14-25:

14 When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had welcomed God’s message, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 After they went down there, they prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet come down on[4] Or yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Holy[5] Other mss omit Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 “Please pray[6] Gk words you and pray are plural to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you[7] Gk words you and pray are plural have said may happen to me.” 25 Then, after they had testified and spoken the message of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, evangelizing many villages of the • Samaritans.

As with any one who has accepted CHRIST as their SAVIOR, baptism is the next step of obedience. Baptism does not save but it is a symbol to show that in accepting CHRIST as SAVIOR a new believer has died to their old way of life and has been resurrected to walk in their born-again life. In essence, at the moment we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR, we died with CHRIST and have been resurrected with CHRIST. Just as CHRIST has eternal life, every believer also has eternal life. We have been born into GOD’S family and are children of GOD, just as JESUS is GOD’S SON.

If you have not asked CHRIST to forgive you of your sins do it now. Become a child of GOD. No matter what you have done GOD will forgive you and welcome you into HIS family.