Acts 10:1
Outline:
I. \\#Acts 1:1-8:4\\ God’s Work in Jerusalem
A. \\#1:1-3\\ The Introduction
B. \\#1:4-26\\ Jesus’ Departure
1. \\#1:4-8\\ The Command
2. \\#1:9-11\\ The Ascension and Promised Return
3. \\#1:12-26\\ The Wait for the Holy Ghost
C. \\#2:1-8:4\\ The Holy Ghost’s Coming
1. \\#Acts 1:1-4\\ The Holy Spirit Comes
2. \\#Acts 2:5-8:4\\ The Power of the Holy Spirit
a. \\#Acts 2:5-13\\ The Power of Languages
b. \\#Acts 2:1-36\\ The Power of Preaching
c. \\#Acts 2:37-41, 47\\ The Power of Salvation
d. \\#Acts 2:42-47\\ The Power of Fellowship
e. \\#Acts 2:44-45\\ The Power of Giving
f. \\#Acts 3:1-11\\ The Power of Healing (miracles) and
more preaching \\#Acts 3:12-26\\
g. \\#Acts 4:1-31\\ The Power of Suffering
h. \\#Acts 4:32-5:42\\ The Power of Chastening
i. \\#Acts 6:1-7:50\\ The Power of Leadership (salvation,
preaching, persecution)
j. \\#Acts 8:1-4\\ The Persecutions Intensify
II. \\#Acts 8:5-12:24\\ God’s Work in Judea and Samaria
A. \\#8:4-40\\ The Ministry of Philip
1. \\#5-25\\ Philip Called to Samaria
2. \\#26-39\\ Philip’s Called to the Desert
3. \\#39-40\\ God Moved Him Toward Caesarea
B. \\#9:1-31\\ The Salvation of Saul
1. \\#9:1-9\\ The Power at Saul’s Conversion
2. \\#9:10-22\\ The Power after Saul’s Calling
3. \\#9:23-31\\ The Consequences of His Conversion
C. \\#9:32-11:18\\ The Ministry of Peter
1. \\#9:32-35\\ At Lydda
2. \\#9:36-43\\ At Joppa
3. \\#10:1-48\\ At Caesarea
III. \\#Acts 13:1-28:31\\ God’s Work in Uttermost Parts of the World
This chapter, along with chapters 11 and 15, are the Biblical basis
for Gentiles being invited into the New Covenant.
Jesus commanded:
Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and
commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of
the Gentiles, and into any city of the
Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel.
How did the church go from that to a covenant where all nations are
invited but the Jews have primarily declined the invitation? Acts
tells us. This book records when and how God incorporated the
Gentiles into the plan of salvation. While Gentiles today often think
the gospel was meant for us and we are the good-hearted saints who
share it with others, it was actually meant for the Jews and given to
the Jews first. Gentiles are the outsiders that God grafted into
the tree of grace \\#Romans 11:21-24\\.
I. \\#10:1-48\\ In Caesarea
A. \\#1-8\\ Cornelius’ Vision
1. Images
a. Peter's Travels
b. Picture
c. Picture
2. \\#1-2\\ "Cornelius" is a Roman name and he was a
"centurion," a command over 100 soldiers, of the "Italian
band," Italy being the capital of Rome. This man was not
a Jew but Roman officer.
a. \\#2\\ Yet he somehow knew and loved Jehovah God.
(1) "A devout man"
(2) "feared God"
(3) "with all his house"
(4) "gave much alms"
(5) "prayed to God alway."
b. The question is how did this man come to have such a
powerful and personal relationship with Jehovah, and
what kind of worship did he offer to God since he
probably did not travel to Jerusalem to sacrifice.
(1) My guess is that at least some of his knowledge
of Jehovah came through his servants.
(2) Cornelius will sent two personal servants and one
Roman soldier to find Peter and bring him back.
(3) \\#Acts 10:22-23\\ I note that Peter had no
issues with inviting the servants into a Jewish
home to spend the night.
(4) And these men speak of Cornelius being a friend
to the Jews, which would be something other Jews
would take note of.
3. \\#3\\ "an angel of God" - Not only did this man have a
relationship with God but God had a relationship with
him.
a. \\#3\\ The angel appeared "in a vision."
b. "the ninth hour" - 3 PM, which was the hour of prayer
\\#Acts 10:30\\.
4. \\#4-6\\ Their Conversation
a. "Cornelius" - The angel called him by name.
(1) \\#4\\ "he was afraid" - It is strange to me that
all who see physical manifestations of God are
afraid. I understand in that God is holy and
mighty, but it seems they might realize that God
need not appear to destroy them and that someone
would see God’s mercy and love.
(2) "What is it, Lord" - Again the early church
saints carried on conversations with God.
b. \\#4-6\\ The angel answered in very specific terms.
(1) \\#4\\ "Thy prayers and thine alms are"
remembered by God. This man may have prayed for
years. Even more, like many others, he might
have never had a physical manifestation from
God, but he had God’s attention.
(2) \\#5-6\\ Notice the specific information the
angel gave, giving not only the city location,
"Joppa," but Peter’s formal name, "Simon," with
whom he was staying, "Simon," his occupation, "a
tanner," and generally where he lived, "by the
sea."
(3) \\#6\\ "he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to
do" - It is interesting that Peter gave this
statement a little different.
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby
thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell
on them, as on us at the beginning.
(4) Simon the tanner would have been a Jew or Peter
would not have been staying with him. Yet, a
tanner was considered to be an unclean
occupation by the Jews in that they had to deal
with the dead. Of course, necessity demanded
someone do it.
5. \\#7-8\\\ The Aftermath
a. \\#7\\ "the angel …departed"
b. "Cornelius …called two …servants and a devout
soldier." By sending both civilians and an officer,
Cornelius was preparing for most anything.
c. \\#8\\ "he sent them to Joppa."
B. \\#9-18\\ Peter’s Vision
1. \\#9\\ "On the morrow" - While it was only 30 miles, by
the time the men were ready to leave, it would probably
be between 4 and 5 PM so they would have to stop
overnight to complete their journey.
a. "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray."
b. "about the sixth hour" - Around noon.
c. At three to four mph, it would take 7 to 10 hours to
make the journey by foot.
2. \\#10\\ Peter "became very hungry" but "fell into a
trance."
3. \\#11-16\\ Peter’s Vision - Peter saw a sheet with unclean
animals in it. He also heard God tell him to eat, but
being a good Jew, He refused to eat the unclean animals.
God chastised Peter by telling him not to call what He
had cleansed unclean.
a. \\#16\\ The vision repeats itself three times for
emphasize.
b. The key word is "cleansed."
c. Gentiles WERE unclean, but by the blood of Jesus
Christ, we can become CLEANSED in God’s sight.
d. I have never thought of it but I would say that a lost
Gentile is still UNCLEAN before God.
4. \\#17-18\\ In the Meanwhile - "the men sent from
Cornelius …stood before the gate …and asked" - The
servants found Simon’s house.
5. \\#17\\ Peter’s Reaction to the Vision - "Peter doubted in
himself" - He did not know what to make of the vision.
C. \\#19-24\\ Peter Travels to Caesarea
1. \\#19-21\\ The Spirit Steps In - The Spirit does not
explain the vision but tells Peter that three men are at
the door and that he is to go with them without any
reservations.
2. \\#22\\ The servants give their assessment of Cornelius.
a. "a just man"
b. "one that feareth God"
c. "good report among all the nations of the Jews"
d. It sounds like these men were Jews themselves. That
might explain why Simon the Tanner allowed them to
stay in his home \\#23\\.
3. \\#23\\ "on the morrow Peter went …with them …and
certain brethren from Joppa"
a. Even though it was just then noon, the men will rest
and leave the next day.
b. Peter was wise to take men who could be witnesses of
what was about to occur.
4. \\#24\\ Cornelius had gathered "his kinsmen and near
friends." Whatever God wanted him to hear, he knew it
was good and wanted others to hear it as well. It stands
to reason that this important military man would have
mostly Roman friends.
D. \\#25-33\\ Cornelius Explains
1. \\#25\\ "and worshipped him" - Cornelius made the same
mistake that John made \\#Rev 19:10, 22:8-9\\. They
confused the messenger with the Lord, Some question how
Cornelius could make such a mistake but it must be easier
than one would think since John did it TWICE!
2. \\#26\\ Peter corrected Cornelius.
3. \\#27-28\\ Peter Understands the Vision
a. "it is an unlawful thin for …a Jew to keep company"
with "one of another nation" - This is not a law from
the Bible but from Jewish traditions of the Bible.
b. "but God had shewed me" - Through the vision.
4. \\#29\\ "for what intent …have sent for me?" Still
Peter did not know why he was there. It had not occurred
to him that God wanted him to preach the gospel to the
Gentiles. Peter did not yet understand the words of
Jesus concerning him.
Mt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of
the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.
5. \\#30-33\\ Cornelius recounted the details of his vision.
E. \\#34-48\\ The Gospel Given
1. \\#34-35\\ Peter’s Understanding
a. "God is no respecter of persons" - Peter understands
that even though the Jews have a favored position
before God and He intended the gospel to first be
first proclaimed to the Jews, God has not excluded
the Gentiles from salvation.
b. "in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness is accepted" - This was not a new truth
as Cornelius’ life proves. God has always accepted
those who feared and lived righteous.
c. This passage reveals several truths:
(1) The conditions for salvation have always been the
same, repentance and faith. Any person living
in any age in any nation was accepted by God if
he met these conditions.
(2) The sacrifices was the system of worship given to
the Jews to worship God if they had faith and
were repentant. They did not produce salvation.
(3) Apparently, non-Jews could worship God the best
they knew how and God would accept them if they
were worshipping in faith and righteousness.
(4) This was described by Paul:
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now commandeth all men every
where to repent:
2. \\#36-43\\ Peter Preached
a. \\#36\\ "The word which God sent unto the children of
Israel" - Peter gave the same message that he had
preached to the Jews to these Gentiles.
b. "he is Lord of all" - Recognizing better than ever that
Jehovah was indeed of all nations and people.
c. \\#37-43\\ "That word, I say, ye know" - Although
Cornelius was a Gentile, he was not ignorant of what
God has been doing in Israel. He knew and apparently
believed concerning:
(1) \\#37\\ "the baptism which John preached"
(2) \\#38\\ "How God anointed Jesus"
(3) \\#39\\ "whom they slew and hanged on a tree"
(4) \\#40\\ "Him God raised up the third day."
(5) \\#41-42\\ "And he commanded us to preach … and
to testify"
d. \\#43\\ What did Cornelius lack?
(1) Only the knowledge that this message was indeed
to "whosoever believeth on him" that they might
also "receive remission of sins."
(2) At this point, Cornelius did not know that Jesus’
death and resurrection was for him.
3. \\#44-48\\ The Holy Ghost Approved
a. \\#44\\ The Holy Ghost came on those who were
listening to Peter preach. Peter gave an additional
detail in the next chapter.
Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy
Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
(1) The Holy Ghost would not have come had they not
believed.
(2) The Holy Ghost came displaying the same gift as
He gave the Jews "at the beginning."
(3) What gift was that? A person spoke in one
language but everyone heard the words in their
language \\#Acts 2:8-11\\.
(a) Cornelius was a centurion over the Italian
band of Roman soldiers. He likely heard in
Italian.
(b) His servants were likely Jewish (remembering
that Simon the Tanner housed them).
(c) His friends lived in the port city of
Caesarea. They may have come from a
variety of nations.
(4) This passage makes it clear that the first two
occasions of "tongues" was not the gift of a
heavenly language but the ability to hear a
foreigner in one’s native language.
(a) However, I think the gift belonged to the
SPEAKER not the hearer. The gift is always
associated with the SPEAKER.
1Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues
more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five
words with my understanding, that by my voice I
might teach others also, than ten thousand words
in an unknown tongue.
(b) From the book of Acts, it would appear that
whenever the gift of tongues was
exercised, everyone who heard understood
the speaker, but that seems to have
changed by Paul’s writing to Corinth.
1Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for
no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit
he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let
him keep silence in the church; and let him speak
to himself, and to God.
i. Based on the book of Acts, if I had
the gift of tongues, I would never
need an interpreter for each person
would hear in his native language.
ii. Based on 1Cor 14:2, there is a gift
which "no man understandeth."
aa. I am not certain what that means.
bb. \\#1Cor 14:23\\ This gift is for
worship only, never evangelism,
even though Paul states that the
prophesied gift is for the lost
\\#1Cor 14:21-22\\.
1Cor 14:21 In the law it is written,
With men of other tongues and other
lips will I speak unto this people;
and yet for all that will they not hear
me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not
to them that believe, but to them that
believe not: but prophesying serveth not
for them that believe not, but for them
which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come
together into one place, and all speak with
tongues, and there come in those that are
unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not
say that ye are mad?
cc. And has strict rules for use,
including only in a small group
and one of that group must be an
interpreter.
iii. Why the gift changed we do not know.
Our Pentecostal friends would say
this was the arrival of a new
language, a heavenly language, but
that can not be verified and would
be a completely different gift than
described in the book of Acts.
iv. While still a conjecture, it is more
logical to assume that the gift still
dealt with earthly languages but the
reach of the gift no longer included
everyone.
b. \\#45\\ "were astonished" - This coming was a surprise
to the Jews which as come with Peter.
c. \\#46\\ "speak with tongues" - It is emphasized that
the Gentiles were speaking with languages.
d. \\#47\\ "Can any man forbid water …received the Holy
Ghost as well as we?"
(1) Seeing that God had authenticated the salvation of
the Gentiles, Peter asked who could object to
baptizing these men?
(2) I believe this was one of the two main purposes
for the gift of tongues:
(a) To be able to give the gospel to the people
of other nations.
(b) To authenticate the will and work of God.
e. \\#48\\ So the people were baptized and Peter stayed
in that area for a few days.
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