Acts 10
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
We first need to understand a little more about the place and person this part of scripture is describing. First, the city of Caesarea is noted. Caesarea was a coastal town, formerly in the land of the Philistines. It was a port city where the headquarters of the Roman governor was. The most notable Roman governor from this broad time frame was Pontius Pilate. Pilate of course was the reluctant governor who presided over the crucifixion of Christ. In 1960 the “pilate Stone” was uncovered. Pilate built a temple in honor of Tiberius and dedicated it to the emperor. It is the only physical evidence that we have of Pontius Pilate.
Next, Cornelius is a Centurion. A Centurion was a professional Roman officer, who commanded what is called a Century. A century was made up of 80 Legionaries, or heavy infantrymen. These were the most prestigious fighter Rome had. They enlisted for 25 years of service and were credited with building most of Rome’s infrastructure. Many would retire in Philippi, which was a haven for retired Roman military men.
Cornelius is a high-ranking Roman soldier, equivalent to perhaps a General. But he is also devout. He is God-fearing. He does not follow the Roman empire’s pantheon. He also lives out his faith by giving to the unfortunate and praying to God regularly. He is a gentile who follows the God of Israel, but does not fully conform to the Jewish customs. This is an important distinction going forward in this story, because the Jews of the time respected the “God-fearing” gentiles, but still did not share their lives or homes with them.
3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Is three in the afternoon significant? It was the Jewish time for prayer at the temple. Any practicing Jewish person in Israel would have made their way to the temple three times a day. Sunrise (am), Noontime (3pm) and Evening/Sunset (6pm). For those who weren’t in Jerusalem, they would routinely use these times to go to prayer. In Acts 10:30 Cornelius, recounting the vision he has, tells Peter that he was indeed praying at that time.
During this prayer he has a vision. A vision is different from a dream. It is also different from reality. It is a narrative set outside reality. In this vision God commends Cornelius for his prayers and what he does for others. He hears Cornelius. He gives him a mission. Like Ananias’ vision in chapter 9, the mission is to connect him with another one of His followers, Peter. He is to send men to Joppa to fetch Peter and bring him back to his house.
It isn’t Cornelius’ place to ask why. His devotion rings true here. He immediately sends for devout soldiers to carry out his mission. This shows us Cornelius’ faith. He doesn’t hesitate and doesn’t refuse; he simply does the will of God.
Peter’s Vision
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Meanwhile, Peter is at Simon the tanner’s house in Joppa. He goes up to the roof to pray and he also has a vision. What are the elements of this vision?
1. He falls asleep while being hungry.
2. Heaven opens.
3. A large sheet comes down, held down by four corners.
4. All kinds of four-footed animals are included in/on this sheet.
5. God tells him, “Get up Peter, Kill and Eat.”
6. God tells him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
7. The vision repeats three times.
This is a difficult vision to decipher, so we will take it in pieces.
It is first helpful to identify the animals in a different way: Kosher and non-kosher animals. Back in Leviticus there were many different dietary laws that were passed down tot he Jews. A practicing Jew who was attempting to keep the entire dietary law would have been restricted to a certain diet. Peter was certainly adhering to the law at this point. But the vision he has tells him something completely different. It tells him to get up, kill and eat. The command goes against his commitment as a practicing Jew.
Why would God do this? Why would he pit Peter against his belief system? As we will see, God is working on Peter’s heart and opening up a new way of thinking for him. Even though Peter was there at the crucifixion and resurrection, had his mind opened by Christ to understand the scripture and was endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit to heal and do miracles, he still had much to learn about who Christ was.
Peter’s response to God is NO! This is striking because we saw an example of Ananias, in chapter 9, and Cornelius in this chapter basically striking out and doing God’s will without heavy hesitation. But here we see Peter directly defying Gods wishes. Both Ananias and Cornelius, in this instance, was more responsive to God.
Peter was saved. Peter was also filled with the Holy Spirit. He was used by God. He was also human. He wasn’t perfect. But he made himself available to God. That was why God continued to work on him, to help him see a broader picture. But what is the picture?
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter is confused about the vision and he should be. It isn’t readily apparent what God is trying to do. But as he is thinking about it, Cornelius’ men arrive. Remember, Peter has no idea who Cornelius even is. But as these men arrive, the spirit once again instructs him to go with he men without hesitation.
These men were sent by God. Who are they? Roman soldiers. Gentiles. Peter is told to go with Gentiles. Remember, culturally Jewish people respected Gentiles who followed God but were not allowed to bring them into their homes or share any part of their life with them. Peter, a practicing Jew, is now told, through the spirit, to go with them without hesitation, because God has sent them.
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The 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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter is still trying to work this out. He rightly asks why they have come and they explain how Cornelius is a righteous man who had a vision to call for him. He wants Peter to come to the house to hear the gospel. Peter is given an invitation. At the end of these verses, we see another crack in Peter’s reservoir: he invites them in. Peter is beginning to see that God is working not only in the Jewish people but in all people.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house. Again, according to Jewish custom, he shouldn’t be there. He properly rejects Cornelius’ worship of him, but understands that God is at work here. God has shown Peter a great truth: the ceremonial and dietary laws of the Old Testament are gone in Christ, but the moral law remains. The moral law is based in love. The Gentiles are as deserving of God’s mercy and grace as any Jew.
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 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.’ 33 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.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 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.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 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. 42 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. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
God’s people aren’t just in Israel but all over the world. God’s people are the ones who respect God and does his will. God’s message was preached in Israel but was rejected by the Jews. Peter was present at the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Christ is the one he is appointed to preach about, because Christ was appointed by God. It is the only way to find forgiveness, despite the heritage. Peter is commanded to preach to all people.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
With ‘believing faith’ more people came into relationship with Christ. This amazed the recent Jewish converts (the circumcised). Their understanding was exactly like Peter’s: the message was only for the Jewish people. But like Paul, Peter and all of the other Jews had to learn a deeper truth: God was deeply in love with all his creations, eager for them to turn back to HIm. John 10:16 says this:
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
We first need to understand a little more about the place and person this part of scripture is describing. First, the city of Caesarea is noted. Caesarea was a coastal town, formerly in the land of the Philistines. It was a port city where the headquarters of the Roman governor was. The most notable Roman governor from this broad time frame was Pontius Pilate. Pilate of course was the reluctant governor who presided over the crucifixion of Christ. In 1960 the “pilate Stone” was uncovered. Pilate built a temple in honor of Tiberius and dedicated it to the emperor. It is the only physical evidence that we have of Pontius Pilate.
Next, Cornelius is a Centurion. A Centurion was a professional Roman officer, who commanded what is called a Century. A century was made up of 80 Legionaries, or heavy infantrymen. These were the most prestigious fighter Rome had. They enlisted for 25 years of service and were credited with building most of Rome’s infrastructure. Many would retire in Philippi, which was a haven for retired Roman military men.
Cornelius is a high-ranking Roman soldier, equivalent to perhaps a General. But he is also devout. He is God-fearing. He does not follow the Roman empire’s pantheon. He also lives out his faith by giving to the unfortunate and praying to God regularly. He is a gentile who follows the God of Israel, but does not fully conform to the Jewish customs. This is an important distinction going forward in this story, because the Jews of the time respected the “God-fearing” gentiles, but still did not share their lives or homes with them.
3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Is three in the afternoon significant? It was the Jewish time for prayer at the temple. Any practicing Jewish person in Israel would have made their way to the temple three times a day. Sunrise (am), Noontime (3pm) and Evening/Sunset (6pm). For those who weren’t in Jerusalem, they would routinely use these times to go to prayer. In Acts 10:30 Cornelius, recounting the vision he has, tells Peter that he was indeed praying at that time.
During this prayer he has a vision. A vision is different from a dream. It is also different from reality. It is a narrative set outside reality. In this vision God commends Cornelius for his prayers and what he does for others. He hears Cornelius. He gives him a mission. Like Ananias’ vision in chapter 9, the mission is to connect him with another one of His followers, Peter. He is to send men to Joppa to fetch Peter and bring him back to his house.
It isn’t Cornelius’ place to ask why. His devotion rings true here. He immediately sends for devout soldiers to carry out his mission. This shows us Cornelius’ faith. He doesn’t hesitate and doesn’t refuse; he simply does the will of God.
Peter’s Vision
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Meanwhile, Peter is at Simon the tanner’s house in Joppa. He goes up to the roof to pray and he also has a vision. What are the elements of this vision?
1. He falls asleep while being hungry.
2. Heaven opens.
3. A large sheet comes down, held down by four corners.
4. All kinds of four-footed animals are included in/on this sheet.
5. God tells him, “Get up Peter, Kill and Eat.”
6. God tells him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
7. The vision repeats three times.
This is a difficult vision to decipher, so we will take it in pieces.
It is first helpful to identify the animals in a different way: Kosher and non-kosher animals. Back in Leviticus there were many different dietary laws that were passed down tot he Jews. A practicing Jew who was attempting to keep the entire dietary law would have been restricted to a certain diet. Peter was certainly adhering to the law at this point. But the vision he has tells him something completely different. It tells him to get up, kill and eat. The command goes against his commitment as a practicing Jew.
Why would God do this? Why would he pit Peter against his belief system? As we will see, God is working on Peter’s heart and opening up a new way of thinking for him. Even though Peter was there at the crucifixion and resurrection, had his mind opened by Christ to understand the scripture and was endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit to heal and do miracles, he still had much to learn about who Christ was.
Peter’s response to God is NO! This is striking because we saw an example of Ananias, in chapter 9, and Cornelius in this chapter basically striking out and doing God’s will without heavy hesitation. But here we see Peter directly defying Gods wishes. Both Ananias and Cornelius, in this instance, was more responsive to God.
Peter was saved. Peter was also filled with the Holy Spirit. He was used by God. He was also human. He wasn’t perfect. But he made himself available to God. That was why God continued to work on him, to help him see a broader picture. But what is the picture?
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter is confused about the vision and he should be. It isn’t readily apparent what God is trying to do. But as he is thinking about it, Cornelius’ men arrive. Remember, Peter has no idea who Cornelius even is. But as these men arrive, the spirit once again instructs him to go with he men without hesitation.
These men were sent by God. Who are they? Roman soldiers. Gentiles. Peter is told to go with Gentiles. Remember, culturally Jewish people respected Gentiles who followed God but were not allowed to bring them into their homes or share any part of their life with them. Peter, a practicing Jew, is now told, through the spirit, to go with them without hesitation, because God has sent them.
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The 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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter is still trying to work this out. He rightly asks why they have come and they explain how Cornelius is a righteous man who had a vision to call for him. He wants Peter to come to the house to hear the gospel. Peter is given an invitation. At the end of these verses, we see another crack in Peter’s reservoir: he invites them in. Peter is beginning to see that God is working not only in the Jewish people but in all people.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house. Again, according to Jewish custom, he shouldn’t be there. He properly rejects Cornelius’ worship of him, but understands that God is at work here. God has shown Peter a great truth: the ceremonial and dietary laws of the Old Testament are gone in Christ, but the moral law remains. The moral law is based in love. The Gentiles are as deserving of God’s mercy and grace as any Jew.
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 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.’ 33 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.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 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.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 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. 42 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. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
God’s people aren’t just in Israel but all over the world. God’s people are the ones who respect God and does his will. God’s message was preached in Israel but was rejected by the Jews. Peter was present at the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Christ is the one he is appointed to preach about, because Christ was appointed by God. It is the only way to find forgiveness, despite the heritage. Peter is commanded to preach to all people.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
With ‘believing faith’ more people came into relationship with Christ. This amazed the recent Jewish converts (the circumcised). Their understanding was exactly like Peter’s: the message was only for the Jewish people. But like Paul, Peter and all of the other Jews had to learn a deeper truth: God was deeply in love with all his creations, eager for them to turn back to HIm. John 10:16 says this:
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.