Chapter Ten – The
First Uncircumcised Gentile Convert
ACTS 10:23-33:
In our last
lesson, Peter was prepared by a vision concerning God’s purpose in using him
to fulfill announcing the Gospel of Jesus as Christ to the Gentiles. He
would, even after the heavenly vision, still need some prompting by the
Spirit of God, to go with the servants of Cornelius that had been sent to
bring him.
We will
pick up now with Peter going with the servants of Cornelius and their coming
together to fulfill God’s purpose.
Text #1:
Acts 10:23
Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went
away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
The fact
that Peter lodged the servants of Cornelius is demonstrative that he has now
understood the Lord’s instruction concerning these of another nation (also
remembering that it wasn’t even his home). The next day that Peter begins
his journey with these servants is the third day of the events that
began in
Vs. 3.
Some
Brethren:
Before we
move into the unification of Peter and Cornelius, it is vital to note that
Peter is not going to make this journey alone. He is going to take along six
brethren. These brethren are very important to the events that will
transpire during the conversion of Cornelius and his household (“Can
anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized” –
Vs. 47);
as eye witnesses to the demonstration of God’s approval (Vs.
44-46), and would act as witnesses when Peter would return to
Jerusalem and have to defend the conversion of Gentiles to the Jews there (11:12,
17-18);
because the six brethren are also Jews.
This is the
Lord’s wisdom for evidentiary establishment, to avoid division and
prejudice, note:
Matthew 18:16
“But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more,
that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established.’”
See also:
Deuteronomy 19:15
Text #2:
Acts 10:24-29
“And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now
Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and
close friends.
25
As Peter
was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped
him.
26
But Peter
lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
27
And as he
talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
28
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.
29
Therefore I
came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what
reason have you sent for me?””
Keep in
mind as this group makes this journey to Caesarea, that there are seven Jews
traveling with three Gentiles; which is made significant by the words of
Peter in
Vs. 28!
The
Following Day:
This will
constitute day four of these events and will correspond with
Cornelius’s statement in
Vs. 30 (even though they were still
in the fourth day, and the first day was mostly concluded when it was
counted – see the notes in the previous lesson).
Fell Down
at His Feet:
Cornelius
anxiously awaited Peter’s coming, and at his arrival fell down at Peter’s
feet. This was a man who was used to being respected and commanding others,
but was so submissive to the commands of God and reverent to His servants
that he prostrated himself.
Peter, on
the other hand, was a true servant of His Master, and would not accept any
recognition or exaltation; as Jesus the Christ, whom Peter served was the
only One due preeminence (Philippians
2:9-10;
Colossians 1:18).
We will see
another recorded account that is very similar to this one later in the work
of Paul and Barnabas (Acts
14:14-15), with the same reaction by the true servants of the
Lord’s.
I Came
Without Objection:
Peter, upon
entering Cornelius’ home finding it full, and states that under normal
circumstances, he would never have come; however, he reveals that God’s hand
was that which has brought them together.
Now Peter
knows that he has been sent to speak the word of God concerning Jesus as the
Christ (Vs.
22); but now Peter is going to allow Cornelius to introduce the
Divine instruction that has caused him to send for Peter (“What
reason have you sent for me?”).
Text #3:
Acts 10:30-33
“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,
31
and said,
‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the
sight of God.
32
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.’
33
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.””
Four Days
Ago:
As
Cornelius begins to recite the events that led him to send for Peter, we see
the completion of the exercise concerning the estimation of days often used
by New Testament writers.
Day One
–
Vs. 3 – a partial day
Day Two
–
Vs. 9
Day
Three –
Vs. 23
Day
Four –
Vs. 24 – a partial day
Bright
Clothing:
This is a
common reference to the presentation of heavenly beings when sent as
messengers to man (Hebrews
1:14). I find it interesting that they are remembered only for
the clothing they wear (see also:
Matthew 28:2-3;
Mark
16:5), and not for any other features. Once again, we must
appreciate in the narrative that the messenger is not the important focus of
the story!
Yet, their
appearance universally had the effect which caused the ones receiving them,
or in their presence to fall to the ground in reverent and fearful
understanding of their heavenly origin.
Present
Before God:
In the
finality of this lesson we see something that virtually any evangelist or
teacher of the holy word of God dreams of; an ideal audience!
I have
learned over the years, without making too much of this, that ideal
audiences are often what we make them; however we should appreciate the
unique attitudes of these preparing themselves to hear.
First,
they recognize that Peter was going to speak only the word of God!
Second,
they knew that what was to be spoken to them were the commands of God; which
indicates that they were prepared to obey what they would be
instructed!
We must
equally continue to work to bring people to be,
all present before God, to hear all
the things commanded you by God!
Next: “Peter’s Sermon!”