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Post by Admin on May 5, 2019 7:16:01 GMT -6
Study Begins: May 05, 2019
Discussion Begins: May 12, 2019
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1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, 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 remain for some days.English Standard Version (ESV) |
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Post by For His Service on May 5, 2019 11:59:17 GMT -6
A brief Summary:
Chapter 10:
It is here in this chapter that Peter encounters the Gentiles for the first time in accordance with the command of Acts 1:8.
Cornelius, a centurion, and devout man of God who treated all the people well and gave to support the Synagogue and spent his time in much prayer saw a vision in the night. An angel came to him “saying send for one Peter in Joppa who lodges with one Simon the Tanner by the seashore that he may tell you what to do.” Cornelius sends for Peter right away.
Now the next day Peter when up to the house top to pray and became very hungry and while food was being prepared he fell into a trance. And a vision came to him in the form of a sheet with unclean food. And Peter heard a voice saying to him to eat but Peter responded that at no time had unclean food been in his mouth. Then the voice told him not to call unclean what God had cleansed.
Now while Peter thought on this vision he had seen the Spirit bade him to go downstairs for men had come and were waiting for him and that he was to go with them doubting nothing. And the next day Peter went with the men to the centurion’s house with other disciples and went into the centurion’s house, a thing that Jews were not to do.
After Cornelius explained his vision to Peter, Peter proceeded to preach Jesus Christ to Cornelius and his entire house and as he preached the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his entire house, and all the Jews with Peter are amazed and shocked for the gift of the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles as well as Jews. Then Peter commands that they all be baptized.
It is only at this point that the disciples begin to realize that the saving grace of God found in Jesus Christ is for everyone and not just a particular class of people. Thus, the promise made to Abraham that the whole world would be blessed through him, begins to be fulfilled.
A Deeper Breakdown:
1. The immediate lesson of Peter’s trance vision in 10:9-16 was as stated; whatever God has made clean is clean indeed. In this case if God had made these “unclean” foods clean, Peter was not to challenge that.
2. After the messengers from Cornelius came and reported the angelic appearance, further application of the vision was apparent to Peter (10:23-29). He was not to regard others as less than himself.
3. When Peter observed Cornelius’ manner and heard his account of the angel’s message, Peter realized (10:34-35) that God did not take into account a person’s perceived status in their eyes but, rather anyone who believed in Jesus Christ was acceptable to God.
4. God does “not show favoritism” (10:34) in the sense of man’s perspective.
5. A person’s perception of themselves does not influence God to love them.
6. Peter said God was willing to accept all those “who fear him and do what is right” (10:35). Nevertheless, Cornelius’ good deeds did not earn him salvation. No (especially 10:22, 33, 43-48), because salvation is not of works. Works is only the evidence of salvation. What earned Cornelius’ salvation was faith and that is what led to his works.
7. Peter’s speech to this Gentile household differed in several ways from what he said to Jewish audiences. Some key points Peter made in this instance (10:36-43) were: That the preaching of Jesus Christ was of God. This Word was preached throughout Judea as witnessed by the events (which were still fresh) that had occurred recently. That Jesus went about doing good to all in the power of the Holy Spirit. That Peter himself along with others were eye witnesses to these events. That Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day, showing himself to many witnesses. Specifically, only those who were predestined to be witnesses. That Peter along with the other Apostles were commanded to testify of Jesus Christ.
8. What unprecedented thing happened in the middle of Peter’s speech (10:44-46)? The Holy Spirit was poured out upon Cornelius and his household. This was significant because it confirmed to the Jews that God accepts everyone and not just them.
9. This signified that God accepts all who believe in faith on Jesus Christ and His name.
10. Those Jews who were in attendance with Peter were astonished (10:45) because of their upbringing in Judaism they would have never imagined that God would have been accepting of Gentiles. This event changed their perspective forever and set things straight for the acceptance of Gentiles as a whole. Without this the Jewish Apostles most likely would never have sought out Gentiles to preach to them.
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John R
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Post by John R on May 5, 2019 22:08:57 GMT -6
Cornelius is described, "a devout man," he feared God yet he was not a Jew. He did not know the Lord Jesus Christ, yet God recognized his faith and created for him an opportunity to hear the gospel. Jesus said in John 12:32, "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” This prophesy was fulfilled in this story of Peter being drawn to Corneleus by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel to a Gentile. It is God who brings us to the foot of the cross, it He who is the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb 12:2) How else would a Jew as devout as Peter have taken the gospel of a Roman soldier who just a few years before had been responsible for the death of his rabbi, Jesus? Only God could have arranged such a miracle.
Blessings! John
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JB
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Post by JB on May 12, 2019 10:37:34 GMT -6
Acts 10:1-2
Cornelius was a Roman proselyte to Judaism – a gentile who believed in and worshipped YHWH. He loved the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and loved The Law. He walked in continual fellowship and conversation with God and generously shared his blessings from God with others. For this story it's important to understand that in their day, Jews snubbed Gentiles even if they chose to serve and worship YWWH. Acts 10:3-18
One mid-afternoon an Angel showed up in a vision to Cornelius, who was a Gentile. Notice how similar this is to Paul’s story in Chapter 9. Both were devout believers in YHWH. Both loved the Law and lived morally upright lives. Neither one was seeking Jesus. Yet God showed up unexpectedly but undeniably to call them to Himself. Contrast this with Ananias and Sapphira in Chapter 5. They sought their own glory. God showed up - no less miraculously than for Paul or Cornelius – and took their lives. God will always call to Himself anyone who seeks Him. God will always punish hypocrites who seek their own glory over God’s glory. God here is also in the process of expanding the kingdom to the Gentiles by making arrangements in peoples’ lives who would obey him. While Peter was out, God prepped a devout Jew (Paul) and a righteous Gentile (Cornelius) so that they could accept the gospel. Now watch this: Peter, the leader of the church, wasn’t going to readily accept either Paul (a tormentor of the church) or Cornelius (a Gentile). So God did some things while Peter was away in Joppa. - After saving both of these men, God delivered a message through Cornelius to Peter to return home.
- God spoke to Peter through a dream and told him to eat Gentile food – that is, he could fellowship with Gentiles.
I really enjoy studying the ways God fulfills His plans through His stubborn people, of which I am Chief. When I face great, fearful events and uncertainty in my life and it seems God is ignoring me – as I have currently been experiencing for many months at the time I’m writing this – I can know that God is orchestrating behind the scenes things I could never have imagined. God’s design continues… Acts 10:19-27
When the men arrived, whom Cornelius sent at God’s command, God told Peter that they were waiting, that He had sent them, and to go to them. The men told Peter that God wanted him to teach Cornelius. Peter, his heart softened by the dream, went. Acts 10:28-29
Note that there was no real law or scriptural prohibition against Jews associating with Gentiles. But it was tradition and the way things were in their culture at that time. Acts 10:30-43
Cornelius gave his confession and told his conversion story. Peter iterated what he had learned during this process – that salvation through grace was for everyone. Peter then preached a very powerful message of the gospel to Cornelius and all of his friends and family who were gathered there. The mini-sermon or teaching in vv.34-37 is perhaps the clearest message about salvation through Christ in all of the New Testament. I encourage you to read it again, slowly and introspectively, if you glossed over it before. Acts 10:44-48
God consecrated this event by sending the Holy Spirit and causing these Gentiles to speak in tongues, just as the apostles had at Pentecost. Baptism of these believers was the obvious next step, which they did. This had the secondary effect of reinforcing to the Jewish Christians that salvation was for the Gentiles equally as for the Jews. They would be reminded of Joel 2:28-29, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”
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John R
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Post by John R on May 12, 2019 18:28:32 GMT -6
Amen! This has always been the essence and substance of the faith. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." Following the laws in the Old and faith in Christ in the New meant receiving God completely, having no other gods before Him. If our lives, our possessions and our relationships supersede our relationship with God and the God-Man, we do not seek Him and are "hypocrites who seek their own glory over God's."
Praise be to His Name!
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John R
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Dedicated TruthSeeker
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Post by John R on May 12, 2019 18:40:35 GMT -6
Another Amen JB! I have shared my struggles with organized church and God's plans for my life over the past two years. I have kept at my faith, hanging on sometimes by a thread, but God has never left. It has only been the last couple weeks that I have seen God answer my prayers in the most miraculous ways. Just this past weekend, I was having breakfast with my homeless friend Richard. He has need growing hi his faith through his loss of job and place to live. He lived in a homeless shelter and just walked out for various reasons, choosing to sleep in the courtyard of a church before catching the bus to his job at Family Dollar. Giving glory all the while for God's providence in his life. Richard and I prayed as I dropped him off at work that he would have a roof over his head and bed to sleep in. Within two hours he sent me a text message declaring he had bed space in 180 Place a kind of halfway house for men and women on the street trying to get back on their feet. Praise God!
Just two days earlier, our small group prayed for healing in a young girl with a blood clot in an artery near her heart. The next day we received the news that the clot had dissolved with no heart damage. We continued our prayer for her spleen to be returned to perfect condition. God is a healing God.
Our time is in His hands, and when we completely trust Him, we will see miracles!
Blessings
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2019 21:03:02 GMT -6
Brothers and sisters, I have added a prayer request for myself and my wife on our prayer board. As I reminder, the whole world can read our studies, but the prayer board is only readable my members. Here's are links: The Prayer Board's Main Page
My current prayer request
jb
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