ACTS LESSON 22
We will resume this lesson in Acts 10:27.
Peter has just arrived at Cornelius' home and Peter told Cornelius
not to worship him, that he was a man. Now we will begin in verse 27.
Acts 10:27 "And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many
that were come together."
This many here, were the people Corenlius had invited. These were
all Gentiles.
Acts 10:28 "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."
This encounter, with the sheet let down from heaven, has shown
Peter that he was wrong in calling any man common. We are all made in
the image of God, not just one nationality. The Jews thought
themselves to be better than anyone else. They thought all other
people to be less than they were. Jesus disproved this when He ate
with the publicans and sinners. Prejudice is not right. God does not
make different classes of people. People make classes.
Acts 10:29 "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 is saying, I learned my lesson well that God was showing me
about calling things common. I came without hesitation, even though I
knew you were not Jewish because I felt that was what God would have
me to do. Now, what did you send for me for? Gainsaying means
promptly. He was not prompted, he just came.
Acts 10:30 "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," Acts 10:31 "And said,
Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance
in the sight of God." Acts 10:32 "Send therefore to Joppa, and call
hither 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."
This is a repetition of the very thing that had happened to
Cornelius. The man in bright clothing was the angel of the Lord. We
mentioned before that regardless of who it is, God respects a person
who fasts and prays from their heart. This Cornelius truly loved God
and wanted to please Him. God answered Cornelius' prayer by telling
him where to get help. God even prepared Peter to accept Cornelius,
before the servants got there, and asked him to come.
Acts 10:33 "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 obeyed God immediately. Now he tells Peter that he is
pleased that he came, and that he knows God will speak to him through
Peter. He is expecting instructions from God.
Acts 10:34 "Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"
This actually is the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter. All
Peter had to do was open his mouth. The rest came from God. Perceive,
here, means to comprehend or understand. God had made Peter understand
that God is no respecter of persons. God loves all of His creation.
Acts 10:35 "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him."
This means that if you love God and keep His commandments, it
doesn't matter if you are Caucasian, Asiatic, or Negroid: you are
God's children and he accepts you. All believers in Christ whether
white, black, yellow, or brown are all spiritual Israel and heirs
according to the promise. God wants us to fear Him enough to obey
Him. He is our heavenly Father.
Acts 10:36 "The word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel,
preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)"
God sent the Scriptures to the physical house of Israel by Moses
and the prophets. These Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi told of
Jesus Christ (the Lord of all). Jesus Christ is the King of Peace.
Acts 10:37 "That word, [I say], ye know, which was published
throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which
John preached;"
The Word is Jesus. Jesus is Saviour of the world. This is the
good news preached. Jesus was from Galilee. John the Baptist
preached to repent and be baptized that the Saviour of the world, the
Messiah was coming. Here, we see Peter telling these Gentiles that
Jesus Christ is their Saviour too.
Acts 10:38 "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."
When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Ghost in the likeness of a dove
came and sat upon Him. Jesus was not only filled with power, but was,
in fact, power itself. His power was not limited as ours is. He was
the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He healed all, not some as we do,
in His name. He healed in His own name, we must use His name. Jesus
has all power in heaven and earth.
Acts 10:39 "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, here, relates that even though Jesus did only good, the
rulers of the temple had him crucified on a wooden cross. Peter tells
them that he saw it with his own eyes.
Acts 10:40 "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him
openly;" Acts 10:41 "Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen
before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he
rose from the dead."
Peter is explaining here that, as no mere man could do, Jesus rose
from the grave on the third day after His crucifixion. He was seen of
over five hundred, but He was with His apostles the most time during
the forty days that He walked on the earth, after He arose from the
grave, and before He was carried into heaven. He lets them know that
it wasn't just a vision of Jesus that they saw, because he ate and
drank with them. It was really Him and they were eyewitnesses.
Acts 10:42 "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."
Jesus is the Judge of all the earth. When we die, we stand before
Jesus to be judged. He is the one who decides whether we go to heaven
or to hell. He is the great Shepherd. If we are His sheep we will go
to heaven, if we are not His followers we will go to hell. All who
preach are to preach the good news of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the
world. It pleased God that by the foolishness of preaching man can be
saved.
Acts 10:43 "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his
name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
All of the prophets, prophesied of Jesus. The gift of salvation
is so simple that many cannot believe. Romans 10:9-10 explains it the
best. God wants all of us. That is why we must believe in our heart.
He does not want us to be ashamed of Him, and that is why we must
confess Him with our mouth. He gave His body on the cross that we can
have our sins washed away in His precious blood. If we believe in the
name of Jesus Christ, we are truly Christians who are saved.
Acts 10:44 "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell
on all them which heard the word."
These people loved God and freely accepted the message Peter
brought. This hearing the word here has to do with their inner man
hearing and believing. They received the Holy Ghost as the 120 had at
Pentecost.
Acts 10:45 "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 word that gives the whole thing away is gift You cannot earn
the Holy Ghost. It is a gift of God. This is God's way of showing
these pious Jews that He loves the Gentiles, too. These Jews with
Peter had thought you had to be a natural Jew to receive God. God
taught them a lesson here. All who love God can receive God.
Acts 10:46 "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God. Then answered Peter," Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that
these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as
well as we?"
God had not only baptized them in the Holy Ghost, but gave the
evidence, as well (they spoke with tongues). Peter, in a word, is
saying, If God found them worthy of baptism, who are we to deny them?
You see, if they refused them water baptism after God had baptized
them in the Holy Ghost, they would be siding against God. They would,
in fact, be questioning God's wisdom. Peter says, if they are alright
with God, they better be alright with us.
Acts 10:48 "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."
Peter did not ask any more. He told them to baptize them in water
in the name of the Lord. They asked Peter to stay a few days. I
would guess that this was so they could be taught more about Jesus
Christ the Saviour of the world.
Notes
Acts 22 Questions
1. Why did Peter tell Cornelius not to worship him?
2. When Peter came inside, was Cornelius alone?
3. Peter told Cornelius that what was against Jewish law?
4. Why did Peter come then?
5. Peter had come without _______.
6. What did Peter ask Cornelius?
7. How many days before had Cornelius been fasting?
8. When Cornelius prayed, what had he seen?
9. What message had God sent Cornelius?
10. In verse 32, Peter was called by what other name?
11. Where was Peter staying?
12. What did Cornelius mean by, "...thou hast well done that thou art
come..."?
13. What had they all come to hear of Peter?
14. In verse 34, "...Peter opened his mouth..." means what?
15. What had Peter perceived of God?
16. Who is accepted of God?
17. What had God sent to the children of Israel?
18. Who is Lord of all?
19. Who preached baptism?
20. Who is the Word?
21. What is the good news that is preached?
22. What did Jesus do on earth?
23. Who slew Jesus?
24. What day did Jesus rise?
25. Who witnessed Jesus after His resurrection?
26. Who is the Judge of the "...quick and dead.."?
27. What gives you remission of your sins?
28. What happened while Peter spoke?
29. Who were astonished at this happening?
30. What did they hear them do?
31. What did Peter say they could not forbid?
32. What did Peter command them to do?
Notes
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