LESSON EIGHT

CORNELIUS AND THE GENTILES

ACTS 10:1-20

KEY VERSE: “While Peter thought about the vision, THE SPIRIT said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I HAVE SENT THEM” (Acts 10:9-20).

As we enter into this lesson study, we have been observers of the growth of the Church from the command of JESUS TO THE APOSTLES IN ACTS, “To wait for the PROMISE OF THE FATHER, ‘which...you have heard from ME; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with THE HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now...you shall receive POWER when THE HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you; and YOU WILL BE WITNESSES TO ME in Jerusalem and in Judea and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:4-5, 8). Then we were able to see the fulfillment of THE PROMISE when THE HOLY SPIRIT manifested HIMSELF to the apostles “as a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind” (2:1-2), “And they were all filled with THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak with other tongues, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE (v.4). Later, we were ‘witnesses’ as the apostles began their MISSION under the POWER and AUTHORITY of THE HOLY SPIRIT, when Peter told the people to “Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of your sins; and you shall RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...Then those who gladly received HIS WORD were baptized; and that day three thousands souls were added to them” (vv.38, 41).

We were also able to witness how Peter and John continued their MISSION by, not only preaching THE WORD, but also through the healing of a lame man (3:1-16), which brought about their arrest, imprisonment, and subsequent trial before the Sanhedrin council (4:1-4). Afterwards, the authorities “severely threatened them, that from now on they speak to no man IN THIS NAME (JESUS). So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach IN THE NAME OF JESUS” (vv.16-18). However, we see in verses 23-31, “when they heard that, they raised their voice TO GOD WITH ONE ACCORD.” Further, we saw Peter’s BOLD request, “Now, LORD, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that WITH ALL BOLDNESS they may speak YOUR WORD, by stretching out YOUR HAND TO HEAL, and that signs and wonders may be done THROUGH THE NAME OF YOUR HOLY SERVANT JESUS” (V.30). And after they had finished their prayer, our text says, “the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THEY SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD WITH BOLDNESS” (v.31).

Then, we studied how the GOSPEL MESSAGE spread from Jerusalem to Judea where there were Hellenistic Jews, Jews form “Greek-speaking Diaspora Judaism,” who had adopted the Greek culture. We saw how, in response to complaints within the church of “neglect” by the apostles, they allowed the Hellenistic Jews to choose seven ‘deacons,’ all Hellenists, to assume leadership roles among the Hellenistic Christians, and carry out their daily administrations. One of those leaders chosen was Stephen, “a man FULL OF FAITH and THE HOLY SPIRIT” (6:5).

We saw how Stephen had “false witnesses” to testify against him before the Sanhedrin Council, after he was placed on trial, who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law” (v.13). We then saw how Stephen stood BOLDLY and PREACHED THE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST in Chapter 7:1-53, “When they (the Sanhedrin) heard these things (from Stephen) they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth” (v.54). “But he, being FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GAZED INTO HEAVEN AND SAW THE GLORY OF GOD, AND JESUS STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, and said,

‘Look! I see the heavens opened and THE SON OF MAN standing at the right hand of GOD!’” (vv.55-56). Finally, we saw how the people “cried out with aloud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him...And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on GOD and saying, ‘LORD do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he said this, HE FELL ASLEEP” (vv.57-60).

In our next lesson, we saw the beginning of EVANGELISM through Philip, after a time of “great persecution arose against the church” in Jerusalem, causing them all to scatter into Judea and Samaria (v.1b). We also found Saul, who was present, as Stephen was stoned (7:58), and even consenting to his death (8:1a), and then making “havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (v.3). This was directed toward the intimidation and destruction of the church in its infancy. However, we discovered that the exact opposite resulted from this persecution. Instead of the church members fleeing and stopping its MISSION, verse 4 says, “those who were scattered went everywhere PREACHING THE WORD.”

As Philip conducted a great soul-winning evangelistic crusade (Acts 8), he encountered an individual, “Simon who practiced sorcery (magic acts) in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.” The people said of him, “This man is the great power of GOD...and heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorcery (magic acts) for a long time” (vv.10-11). But we further saw that when the people “saw” and “heard” Philip “as he preached the things concerning THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, both men and women were baptized” (v.12). Not only did the people recognize the TRUE POWER OF GOD and BELIEVE, according to verse 13, “Simon himself also BELIEVED.”

In our last study, we Philip following THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEAD, and go to Gaza, a desert, where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch “sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet,” when THE SPIRIT SPOKE to Philip and said, “Go near and overtake this chariot” (v.29). This was GOD’S PURPOSE for Philip to go down to Gaza. Even though Philip did not know why GOD sent him there, he simply trusted in GOD enough to go. Then we saw why GOD had sent Philip to “overtake” the eunuch’s chariot. GOD wanted to use Philip to help the eunuch understand the Scriptures and the importance of BELIEVING ON THE SON OF GOD, “Then he opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, PREACHED JESUS TO HIM” (v.35). In other words, Philip was able to do what he was ‘LED’ there to do in the first place. “Then Philip said, ‘If you BELIEVE with all your heart, you may” be baptized, “And he answered and said, ‘I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD” (v.37). It was at this point that Philip “commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he BAPTIZED him” (v.30).

This brings us to today’s study, where we find “a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, who is INSTRUCTED by an “ANGEL OF THE LORD” to “send men to Joppa,” which he did (Acts 10:1-8). In the mean time, Peter had a vision from GOD (vv.9-16). Finally we will see that Peter is told to go with the delegation from Cornelius, who said to Peter in a vision, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; FOR I HAVE SENT THEM” (vv.19b-20).

1. GOD SAID IT, AND THAT SETTLES IT! (Acts 10:1-8)

As we continue our journey through the spread of the CHRISTIANITY in Judea and Samaria, we have discovered that the GOSPEL MESSAGE was carried to Samaria by Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven Hellenistic Jews appointed to service by the apostles (8:1-25). We have also just studied how Philip carried out his evangelic MISSION along the coastal plain from Gaza in the south to Caesarea, capital of the country (8:26-36). We have now arrived at the prelude to the spread of CHRISTIANITY unto the Gentiles, through the LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

We have witnessed how THE HOLY SPIRIT used “an angel” to send Philip to an encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch to facilitate the spread of CHRISTIANITY among the Samaritans. Now we will see how THE HOLY SPIRIT uses “in a vision an angel of GOD” (v.3) to SPREAD Christianity into Caesarea among the Gentiles, those who were not Jews through Cornelius.

What is obvious in this text, is the fact that while Cornelius did not know of GOD’S SON JESUS CHRIST, he had an intimate relationship with THE FATHER GOD. For verse 2 describes Cornelius as “a devout man and one who feared GOD with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to GOD always.” Verse 4 says that it for this very reason his works “have come up for a memorial BEFORE GOD.” It is then that THE HOLY SPIRIT COMMANDS Cornelius, not to go himself, but to “ send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter...He will tell you what to do” (vv.5, 6b).

It is one thing for an individual to have FAITH IN GOD enough TO BELIEVE and TRUST HIM, and follow HIS COMMAND, as did Philip, but it is an entirely different thing to get someone else to carry out THE COMMAND. This is the problem in the church today as the ‘leaders’ try to follow the LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT in instructing the membership ‘proper’ to carry out THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WILL. The one thing that is made evident is that Cornelius did not have a problem “sending men,” because the scripture says that Cornelius “feared GOD with ALL his household” (v.2). This is the prerequisite to following the COMMAND of THE LEADERSHIP as they follow THE COMMAND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Both the LEADERSHIP and ‘followship’ should possess the same characteristic: first, fear GOD; next, give alms generously to the people, and pray to GOD ALWAYS.

Because of his ‘FAITHFULNESS,’ we see that Cornelius was obedient to THE COMMAND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and “called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, HE SENT THEN TO JOPPA” (vv.7-8). GOD is still ‘calling’ THE FAITHFUL to FOLLOW THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GO!

2. WHAT GOD CLEANSES WE MUST NOT CALL COMMON (vv.9-16)

THE HOLY SPIRIT now visits Peter ‘in a vision’ to COMMAND his assistance in HIS MISSION of the spread of CHRISTIANITY beyond the Jews, among the Gentiles. Here we find Peter in the midst of his ‘prayer time,’ “then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance” (vv.9-10). It is then that Peter “saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the Four Corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air” (vv.11-12).

What become troubling to Peter is THE VERBAL COMMAND that follows ‘his vision,’ for “A VOICE came to him, ‘RISE, PETER, KILL AND EAT” (v.13). We need to understand that Peter was a Jew before his conversion to CHRISTIANITY and knew the restrictions called for in the scripture, especially Deuteronomy 14:3, 7), “You shall not eat any detestable thing...those that chew the cud or have cloven hooves, you shall not eat...they are unclean for you.” This is why Peter answered this COMMAND with, “Not so LORD! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean” (v.14).

However, we see “(THE) VOICE SPOKE to him again the second time, ‘WHAT GOD HAS CLEANSED YOU MUST NOT CALL COMMON.’ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again” (vv.15-6). I believe that GOD WAS PREPARING Peter to go ‘outside of his comfort zone’ to explore new ‘regions’ in his life that had never been explored before HIS CALL.

Until this time, THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WAS SENT TO THE JEWS EXCLUSIVELY. Now GOD getting ready to spread HIS WORD TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, beginning in Caesarea through Cornelius.

GOD will also take us out of our ‘comfort zone’ to further the spread of HIS GOSPEL MESSAGE OF SALVATION THOUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. We must not be afraid to venture into new territories that GOD directs us to, and the people we are to encounter to win souls for CHRIST. We must not restrict THE WORD OF GOD to a select few that we consider ‘worthy’ of our attention and efforts. The Jews saw the Gentiles as ‘heathens’ or ‘pagans,’ irreligious or uncultivated people unworthy of GOD’S BLESSINGS. Some of us see those considered ‘outcasts’ of society in that same manner: the homeless, the drug abusers, or just sinners in general. We don’t think that they are of value to GOD. But HE will use us to “GO” to those very individuals we consider “unclean or common” to use us for HIS MISSION AND PURPOSE.

3. GO WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND DOUBT NOTHING (vv.17-20)

As this study concludes, we find that Peter still “wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant” (v.17a). While in this perplexed state, “the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate” (v.17b). The scripture continues, “While Peter thought about the vision, THE SPIRIT said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. ARISE THEREFORE, GO DOWN AND GO WITH THEM, DOUBTING NOTHING; FOR I HAVE SENT THEM” (vv.19-20). This is the ‘essence’ of BELIEVING, which is the KEY to FAITH, “to doubt nothing” when THE HOLY SPIRIT COMMANDS. While our study ends here, the ‘rest of the story’ is what is most important. For, from verse 21—48, we can see the result of Peter and Cornelious’ obedience to the LEADERSHIP and COMMAND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT to do that which they did not understand on the surface, and DO WHAT GOD SAID FOR THEM TO DO!!

Even for us today, if we will only be ‘obedient’ to the ‘GUIDE’ AND LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, not only will we ourselves GO WHERE GOD WANTS US TO GO but also SEND OTHERS WHERE GOD WANTS US TO SEND THEM. For GOD is continuing to use those of us who are willing to used to spread THE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST and HIS SALVATION for us through FAITH IN THE POWER IN HIS NAME. GOD WILL “CALL” AND “SEND” THE FAITHFUL until every living creature has had an opportunity to HEAR and OBEY HIS WORD. The question is who will make themselves available to be used by GOD? Then who will go for HIM and ACT as HIS AGENT (ANGEL) here on earth, will it be you?

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD