Acts 10:34

Acts 10:34 says, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  Having been told why Cornelius sent for him, Peter began to speak, stating that he now understood that God is no respecter of people.  We must truly accept this fact today if we are going to effectively reach people with the gospel.  Verse thirty-five adds, But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.   Peter said people of any nation who believed in God, which meant that they accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and worked righteousness is accepted to God.  I don’t believe that he meant we must work to be righteous, but that our righteousness trough faith in Jesus Christ will lead us to good works for God.   Verse thirty-six continues, The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)  Peter spoke of the word that was sent by God to the children of Israel preaching the peace of Jesus Christ, Who is Lord of all.  The only way to peace with God and even with other people is through faith in Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-seven states, That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  Peter said this word was preached throughout Judea beginning in Galilee with the baptism which John preached.  John’s baptism was by faith in the coming Messiah, Jesus.  Verse thirty-eight adds, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.  Peter then told Cornelius of the good works that Jesus did, because He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power.  If we want to do good works today, we need to be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  Peter said that they, the disciples, were witnesses to all that Jesus did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, including His crucifixion.  Though we did not personally crucify Jesus then, we are still guilty because He died for our sins.  Verse forty declares, Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;   Jesus arose from the grave and was seen openly.  This was the good news then and it still is today.   Verse forty-one adds, Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.  Peter said that Jesus wasn’t seen by everyone after His resurrection, but by witnesses that were chosen.  This included the disciples, who not only saw Him, but ate and drank with Him.  Verse forty-two continues, And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead  We may not have physically seen Jesus as He lived, died; and rose again, but once we are called to and accept salvation through Him, we are a part of those who are commissioned to proclaim Him to the world.  We also must acknowledge that He will one day judge everyone.  Verse forty-three states, To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  Peter said that all the prophets pointed to Jesus, the One Who will forgive the sins of all who put their faith in Him.  Through Jesus Christ alone can we find remission for our sins.  Verse forty-four adds, While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  While Peter was speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the word.  I believe this means all who accepted the truth of the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord and not just everyone who heard the word.  Once we accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells us.  Verse forty-five continues, And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  The Jews were astounded because the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles as well, even though this was what Peter had just been explaining.  We should not be amazed when what is proclaimed by God’s word comes to pass.  Verse forty-six says, For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, They knew that the Gentiles were filled with the Holy Spirit because they began to speak in tongues, or I believe other languages, and magnify God.  They weren’t just calling attention to themselves but were witnessing of and glorifying God.  Verse forty-seven adds, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  They asked if anyone could forbid these Gentiles from being baptized, since they had received the Holy Spirit just as the Jewish believers had.  We should never believe that certain people cannot be saved.  Verse forty-nine concludes, And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.  Peter commanded that these new believers be baptized, and they asked him to stay with them for a while.  Of course, they should have known that what Peter did next would be up to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  I will summarize and bring to an end the encounter between Peter and Cornelius.  We know God spoke to Peter in a vision while Peter was in prayer.  We know Peter stood on his own righteousness at first, telling God he had never eaten anything unclean, so the vision appeared three times before Peter began to question what God was telling him. Sometimes, God has to get past our self-righteousness to get us to see the truth.  We know that Cornelius, a non-Jew, who was known for his dedication to God, evidenced by the way he lived, had a vision from God.  He was to send for Peter, and he obeyed.  Cornelius was quicker to obey God than Peter was, but God was at work in both lives.  I believe God is at work today preparing the heart of people all around to receive His word.  When Peter and Cornelius got together, there was God in the midst of them.  If we get together with a person God sends us to today, He will be in the midst of us.  Cornelius was a good man, but he needed Christ as his Savior.  Peter was a follower of Christ, but he needed to learn the full implication of the gospel- that it was for everyone, not just a select group.  When they both understood what God was telling them, the Holy Ghost fell on the group of Gentiles who believed.  The Jews were astounded.  Then, Peter asked in verse 47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we." (KJV)  They were baptized and became a part of God's family, just as much as any Jew who had accepted Christ.  We are all equal in the eyes of God and we should live accordingly.  Peter didn't just baptize them and then leave their company immediately.  He tarried with them certain days.  Peter had come to understand the inclusive nature of the sacrifice of Christ.  We today need that understanding even more.  The world is calling more and more for division and hatred, and unfortunately many Christians seem to be doing the same.  We can never afford to forget that God is no respecter of persons. 

As we summarize and bring to an end the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, we will conclude Acts 10.  We know God spoke to Peter in a vision while Peter was in prayer.  We know Peter stood on his own righteousness at first, telling God he had never eaten anything unclean, so the vision appeared three times before Peter began to question what God was telling him.  Sometimes, God has to get past our self-righteousness to get us to see the truth.  We know that Cornelius, a non Jew, who was known for his dedication to God, evidenced by the way he lived, had a vision from God.  He was to send for Peter, and he obeyed.  Cornelius was quicker to obey God than Peter was, but God was at work in both lives.  I believe God is at work today preparing the heart of people all around to receive His word.  When Peter and Cornelius got together, there was God in the midst of them.  If we get together with a person God sends us to today, He will be in the midst of us.  Cornelius was a good man, but he needed Christ as his Savior.  Peter was a follower of Christ, but he needed to learn the full implication of the gospel- that it was for every one, not just a select group.  When they both understood what God was telling them, the Holy Ghost fell on the group of Gentiles who believed.  The Jews were astounded.  Then, Peter asked in verse 47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we." (KJV)  They were baptized and became a part of God's family, just as much as any Jew who had accepted Christ.  We are all equal in the eyes of God and we should live accordingly.  Peter didn't just baptize them and then leave their company immediately.  He tarried with them certain days.  Peter had come to understand the inclusive nature of the sacrifice of Christ.  We today need that understanding even more.  The world is calling more and more for division and hatred, and unfortunately many Christians seem to be doing the same.  We can never afford to forget that God is no respecter of persons.

 
 

When Peter went down to the men, they explained who they were and why they were there.  They told Peter about Cornelius, who he was and how he had been told by God to send for Peter.  After lodging them over night, Peter and some of the other brethren of Joppa accompanied them back to see Cornelius.  Now, Peter had to accept that God had indeed sent them.  Peter could have allowed his prejudices to keep him from going with them, thinking that God could not possibly be sending him a message through a centurian.  We must be careful that we don't become an exclusive club instead of an all inclusive church.  When we begin to see the world as us and them based on color, nationality, or even religious beliefs if those things make us feel that everyone else is unworthy of salvation, then we are not following what God told us to do.  If we feel that other believers based on those same differences are more like step-children of God rather than brothers and sisters in Christ, then that is not what God teaches us.  If we believe that even a tent is good enough for "them" to worship in, but we need a cathedral, then that is not what God teaches us.  There is no us and them in Christianity.  If our comfort is more important than the souls of those "others", then there is something wrong with our belief.  If we feel that we are better than anyone here on earth, but will love them in heaven, there is something wrong.  We, as God's people, are His kingdom on earth, and we need to be careful how we represent that kingdom.

Acts 10:28

Acts 10:28 says, And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  Peter tells Cornelius the deeper meaning of his vision.  He may have been still wondering while on the roof, but when the men sent by Cornelius arrived with their invitation, Peter began to understand.  Peter said that it would have unlawful for a Jew to keep company of, or come unto one of another nation, but God had shown him that was wrong.  That which God makes clean is clean indeed, Verse twenty-nine adds, Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?  Peter said because of what God had revealed to him, he came quickly to see what Cornelius wanted of him. When God calls us for a task, even if we don't fully understand it, if He says go, we need to go.  Again, He will make it clear as we go in obedience.  Peter told Cornelius that God did not see borders and barriers.  You might say you didn't see that in Acts, but that was what Peter later said when he said God is no respecter of persons and sent him to the Gentiles.  Verse thirty continues, And 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,  Cornealius told Peter about fasting and praying in his house when a man in bright clothing stood before him.  If we are looking for God to reveal His will to us, we may need to spend more time fasting and praying.  Verse thirty-one states, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.  The angel, the man in bright clothing, told Cornealius that his prayer had been heard and his alms were a remembrance before God.  I know that when Christians pray that God is going to hear our prayers, and although God doesn’t need anything from us, I also believe He expects us to give generously to Him.  Verse thirty-two adds, Send therefore to Joppa, and call thither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.  Cornelius said he was told to send to Joppa and inquire about one Simon Peter.  God may send us to others for answers, or He may send us to them with answers, but He will be in charge of both situations.  Verse thirty-three continues, Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.  Cornelius said he immediately did as God had told him to do and sent for Peter to see what things God had commanded to him.   When we know that God has told us to do something now, we should do so immediately.   

Acts 10:20

Acts 10: 20 says, Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Peter was told to arise, get down and go with them without any doubts because God had sent them. Remember, Peter was on the roof top, but he obeyed God's command.  Notice he still hadn't been told what he was to do, other than to go with the men looking for him.  Peter was searching for answers, but they didn't come immediately.  We are such an instant gratification nation that we become upset if we have to wait three seconds for an answer on the internet.  Sometimes, we may not hear the answer God has for our questions or prayers because we don't wait for Him to answer in His way.  Again, God could have simply told Peter exactly what He wanted, but He chose to work through other people.  Whether we are Peter or Cornelius, we must obey God and do what He asks us to do.  When all of God's people work together then God's kingdom work gets done.  Verse twenty-one continues, Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?  Peter obeyed God and went to the men and identified himself.  He then asked why they had come, even though God had said He sent them.  We may at times have questions even if we are obeying God.  Verse twenty-two states, And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.  They told Peter about Cornealius, a devout man who feared God, being told by God to send for Peter and hear what he had to say.  Our commission may never be this direct, but it should always be clear to us.  Verse twenty-three continues, Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.  Peter invited them in to stay that night, and the next day he went with them accompanied by some men from Joppa.  If God is calling us to do something, we simply need to do it.  Verse twenty-four says, And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. Verse twenty-five adds, And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.  When Peter went with them and Cornelius saw him coming, he called together his kinsmen and near friends, then Cornelius fell down and worshipped Peter.  Verse twenty-six continues, But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.  Peter quickly set Cornelius straight, telling him to rise, that Peter himself was only a man.  We will never be God nor deserving of the worship of anyone.  We were told about all the good things Cornelius did and that he was devout man who feared God, but he needed to know and put his faith in Jesus Christ.  Our good deeds and being devout are not enough.  Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-seven concludes, And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.  Peter went into Cornelius’s house and found many people gathered there.  As Christians, we need to gather together often today.