The Book of Acts

Peter and Cornelius (9:32-10:48)

Part 2

Sermon Eighteen in the Series

Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

REVIEW

I noted last time that having given us a report on Saul's conversion and call to the ministry, Luke now turns to the other apostle of significance in his book, Peter. I stated that Saul's conversion was one of the most important events in the history of the early Church and that, in this section of Acts, we learn of an experience involving Peter which, while not his conversion, dramatically realigned his theological perspective and ensured that his labors for the gospel would be unhindered by a misunderstanding of the new covenant of Jesus Christ.

From the latter portion of chapter nine through the tenth chapter, we read of Peter. This section begins with an overview of Peter's activities and then focuses on the encounter between Peter and Cornelius. I used the closing section of chapter nine to set the context for our examination of Peter's contact with Cornelius. We covered the first point, which was The Visions of Cornelius and Peter. Under that first point, we read of two visions-one given to Cornelius and one given to Peter. Both visions were related, I noted, to a perspective on the gospel which, at that time, was lacking in Peter's mind.

Cornelius was introduced as “a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household…” He also was described as a generous man and a man of prayer. Cornelius was a worshiper of Jehovah, a Gentile proselyte. He was a man whose religion was genuine and who obviously incorporated his religious convictions into all aspects of his life. Luke told us that this man saw a vision in which an angel called to him and commanded him to send some men to Joppa and retrieve Peter.

As the story continued, we read that as the men sent by Cornelius approached the city, at about noon, Peter went up on the housetop to pray. It was lunch time and Peter was hungry. At that point, Luke writes that Peter fell into a trance and saw the sky open and what looked like a giant sheet coming down. On this sheet were all kinds of creatures-creatures that walked and creatures that crawled and even some birds of the air. As this collection of God's creatures continued to descend, Peter heard a voice saying “Arise, Peter, kill and eat!”

I observed that Peter's protest was predictable. He responded: “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Luke said that a second time a voice announced: “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” In all, a voice spoke three times and then the sheet with the creatures disappeared up into the sky. The question, of course, was: What is going on here? What is God communicating to Peter?

One thing was immediately apparent in Peter's response: Peter follows rules, which is good. The rule in this case, as I said last time, had to do with the laws regarding clean and unclean foods. Those laws had a purpose and Peter was right to obey them because they were God's will. But having followed those laws with such obvious commitment, Peter, like most of his countrymen, developed a view of those outside the camp of Israel which God did not wish him to have and which was, in fact, contrary to the gospel recently delivered by Jesus Christ.

The laws restricting food should have been a frequent reminder to the Jews that they were, indeed, chosen of God out of all the peoples of the earth and, therefore, as a nation, they should have been most humble and thankful. Instead, adherence to these laws, and other factors, I said, resulted in the Jews developing a superior notion regarding themselves and this element of self-importance was wholly out of accord with the kindness and grace demonstrated by God.

As an apostle, as a founder of the Church, Peter had to learn that God is a God of grace and a God who will bless all the peoples of the earth. It is this simple vision which God is using to teach Peter humility and this humility will allow him to declare God's mercy in the gospel in a manner and with a conviction which he did not possess. Peter's vision was indicating that the laws establishing a wall between Jews and Gentiles were being abolished. They were enacted by God and now God is doing away with them. This was a symbolic way of telling Peter that a major change was occurring in God's activities among the nations of the earth. Peter was being taught that the Jews would no longer be the only ones with whom God would have contact or the only ones to whom God would show His favor. He was being taught that God would not require the Gentiles to conform to the laws of the Jews before they could enjoy His favor.

When we left this story, it was obvious that Peter did not yet understand the meaning of the vision or the visit of the men sent by Cornelius. Peter heard that a righteous man named Cornelius was waiting with his household to hear a message from the apostle. After resting for the night, the party started for Caesarea. That's where we ended our study in the previous sermon.

END OF REVIEW

02. The Meeting of Cornelius and Peter (10:24-33)

Now that the visions of Cornelius and Peter are fresh in our minds, we are ready to look at the next element of this story:

24 And on the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 And when it came about that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he entered, and found many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. 29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. And so I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, 31 and he said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.' 33 And so I sent to you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Cornelius rightly understood that something momentous was unfolding. The visit from the angel and the fact that he was told that Peter would have a message for him were sufficient to cause an air of anticipation. It's also clear that Cornelius expected to hear something good, something encouraging, something helpful. I say this because v. 24 tells us that Cornelius was waiting for Peter “together with his relatives and close friends.” Again we see evidence of Cornelius' fine character. He is hoping for some information that will be of benefit to him and, being the kind of man he is, he plans to share that information with his family and friends.

The manner in which Cornelius greets Peter is worth mentioning: “Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.” (v. 25) Cornelius' expectation was high, indeed! He assumed that the figure coming into his home was worthy of this kind of reaction. Cornelius knew that falling prostrate on the ground was the way by which he could show the greatest honor to Peter. The fact that Cornelius fell down and worshiped Peter does not necessarily mean he thought Peter was deity. Remember how Cornelius was introduced. He is a worshiper of Jehovah, a devout and righteous man. Based upon what we know about Cornelius, we have to rule out the notion of idolatry. It is more likely that Cornelius is demonstrating his profound humility in the presence of one sent to him according to the word of the angel; he may, in fact, have assumed that Peter was an angel himself. In this case, the NIV has a good translation: “Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.”

Peter, of course, immediately pulled Cornelius to an upright position and declared: “Stand up; I too am just a man.” (v. 26) The apostle doesn't allow this high reverence to continue. Like Cornelius, he, too, is curious about this meeting, so the two men talked and, upon entering the home of Cornelius, Peter finds “many people assembled.” (v. 27) The word translated “assembled” (sunerchomai) conveys the idea of expectation. We can assume that Cornelius told his family and friends about his vision, so they are here eagerly awaiting Peter who, they suppose, will explain what is going on.

As Peter begins addressing the people in the house, it is apparent that he has begun to understand the meaning of his vision (v. 28). It is also clear, as I said in the last sermon, that Peter did, in fact, have some misguided opinions of Gentiles. He freely admits that the Jews consider it wrong to associate with Gentiles, yet he just as freely confesses that God has corrected his attitude. Between the end of the vision, where we are told that Peter was “greatly perplexed in mind” regarding what he had seen, and this moment in the home of Cornelius, Peter began to understand the message God was communicating to him and, as we will see, he also begins to realize that this message has something vital to do with the gospel.

Peter has learned that he should not call any man unholy or unclean. This is revolutionary thinking for a Jew, especially a dedicated Jew like Peter. This statement represents an extreme shift in Peter's theology-it is that shift which I said earlier had to occur if Peter were to fulfill his calling as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Notice, too, what is implied by Peter's words in v. 28. Before this, he did consider certain men, namely Gentiles, “unholy” and “unclean.” This means that he would not associate with Gentiles and it means that Peter considered all non-Jews unworthy of God's attention. This attitude was completely foreign to the work of the Savior and the gospel which He delivered to Peter and the other apostles.

Peter's transformation is not yet complete. This is indicated in v. 29. After saying he came to Caesarea without raising an objection, he adds: “and so I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” Let's see: Peter is an apostle charged with preaching the gospel of grace in which God's willingness to reconcile sinners to Himself is proclaimed. And Peter has just learned that his attitude toward Gentiles is unacceptable to God-he's just learned that God can, in fact, make even a Gentile holy and clean. Now Peter finds himself in the home of a Gentile and the Gentile's family and friends are all gathered, waiting expectantly for him to say something. Even Peter should have been able to figure out this scene!

Instead, Peter listens as Cornelius relates the vision which prompted him to send men to Joppa (vv. 30-32). Cornelius states that he did what he was told to do by the angel and he acknowledges Peter's kindness in coming to his home. “Now then,” Cornelius concludes, “we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” (v. 33)

03. The Edification of Cornelius and Peter (10:34-48)

The word “edification” refers to instruction or learning. I'm using this term in this third point because the next section relates what Peter learned as a result of his vision and contact with Cornelius, and it relates what Cornelius, his family and friends learned as a result of Peter's transformation. The story of Cornelius and Peter concludes, therefore, with a brief sermon from the apostle:

34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) -- 37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

The first thing Peter says indicates the enormous leap in understanding which has occurred. This is not how Jews thought, even those Jews who had believed the gospel. This was, in no uncertain terms, a revolutionary development for the early Church. But this is the gospel, this is the message Christ brought and this is the end toward which the covenant promises always pointed. The glory of the gospel, the hope for mankind, is found in that little phrase “God is not one to show partiality.” (v. 34) In the covenant of redemption, people from all nations, people of all social standings, people of various economic conditions have been included. What God requires is a right relationship with Him and other factors do not prevent a sinner from knowing Him (cf. v. 35). If it were not for God's impartiality in the giving of His grace, the gospel would be empty; it would not be the universally applicable message that it is and it would not be the one answer to fallen man's dilemma. Peter understands this now.

With this new realization, Peter is able to comprehend the greater significance of the work of Christ. He sees that news about the Savior must be declared to this assembly. In vv. 36-38, he quickly rehearses the earthly ministry of Christ: He came to Israel preaching peace; He was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power; He engaged in doing good, healing those oppressed by the devil, and all along, God was with Him. Peter indicates that the people gathered at the home of Cornelius had knowledge of the work of Christ. The Gospels confirm that Jesus traveled throughout the region and was well-known, attracting crowds in the thousands at times. These Gentiles knew of Jesus, due to reports about Him. Peter is about to explain to them, however, how Jesus fits into God's plan of redemption.

As has been emphasized in the past, Peter first speaks of the role of the apostles as witnesses of the life and works of Jesus Christ (v. 39). This is the typical formula we see repeated in Acts-the apostles testify of what they know to be true and call people to a response based on their declarations. Peter concludes his abbreviated report by stating that the Jews “put [Christ] to death by hanging Him on a cross.” This is where Peter's testimony becomes vital-the people already knew about what Jesus did while He was alive, but they don't know what happened to Him after He was crucified.

“God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.” (vv. 40, 41) This is an astonishing report, but this is the testimony of the apostles. They knew that the Savior had risen from the dead and they were called to bear this testimony before the world. It was the resurrection of Christ that vindicated His claims while on earth-the resurrection is vital to the message of Christianity. So, God ordained that a group of disciples would see with their own eyes Jesus Christ, once crucified and buried, alive and well. Everything Jesus ever said about saving His people hinged on His resurrection from the dead. Every promise ever made by God to the people of the earth hinged on Christ's resurrection from the dead.

Peter is now standing before this assembly in the home of Cornelius and telling them that the resurrection of Christ is a reality. This truth is the essence of the apostolic ministry, as indicated in v. 42: “He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.” The word translated “ordered” (paraggello) means “to command, to charge” and in contexts like our present one, the command focuses on a message being related from one to another. This clearly is what Peter means because he adds “He ordered us to preach to the people.”

The mission of the apostles, having been witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was to make Him and these events known, and to make people aware of the implications. What difference does it make that Jesus was the promised Messiah and what difference does it make if He really did rise from the dead after His crucifixion? Establishing these facts and leading people to understand the consequences were the duties of the apostles. Peter, in fact, says he is charged “solemnly to testify” concerning these matters. The word used here (diamarturomai) means that the testimony itself is proof of the event being related. This term describes a report given to confirm some issue. It is not just a recollection of past events that is meant here, but an authoritative statement which establishes truth (the idea behind this Greek word is similar to what we think of when we use the terms “affidavit” and “deposition”).

Christ is “the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead,” Peter declares. This is a way of saying that Christ's authority as the risen Savior is over all realms. He has been seated at God's right hand, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,” as Paul says in another place (Eph. 1:20, 21). This certainly means that Christ is Savior of Jews and Gentiles. Peter further states that the prophets who wrote of Christ taught that “through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” (v. 43) That Peter has had a dramatic shift in his thinking is evident in this statement. Peter has known about those writings for most of his life, yet he only now recognizes the great truth of the gospel which is contained in the many passages about the Savior who was to come.

The essence of what needed to be said to the Gentiles has been said and what has transpired thus far indicates that Peter now has a right understanding of the gospel. Therefore, we read:

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

As we already know, the presence of the Holy Spirit signals two things: the authentication of the messenger and the inclusion of the subjects in the company of the redeemed. As Peter announced the truth of Christ and the extension of God's grace to all who believe in Him, the Spirit manifests Himself and all the Jews are amazed (vv. 44-46). Luke uses a word (existemi) which means “to throw out of position, to displace, to throw into wonderment.” This word shows up often in Acts and always describes a reaction to that which seems unbelievable or unexplainable. The term means more than “surprise,” it means utter astonishment as if such a thing could never be imagined. The inclusion of the Gentiles in the redemptive work of God had to shock the Jews-this is a development they never considered even though, as I said before, it is exactly what God promised to do since the time of the fall.

When it became evident that the Holy Spirit had come to these Gentiles, Peter realized immediately that the next appropriate step was for them to receive the sign of covenant inclusion. Therefore, he proposes that Cornelius and those in his home be baptized (v. 47). He states the obvious in the form of a question in order to emphasize the appropriateness of baptism at this point. The gospel had been explained, the Holy Spirit had come upon these Gentiles-they now needed to receive baptism because it was clear that they were to be included in the number of the redeemed. God's will in this matter was so apparent that no objection could be made. With the authority of the name of Jesus Christ, Peter orders the Gentiles to be baptized (v. 48).

Both Peter and Cornelius have been edified or instructed concerning the true and full nature of the gospel as a result of this meeting in the home of Cornelius. The Jews have learned about the broadness of the gospel and will have to adjust their thinking about Gentiles from this day forward. As for the Gentiles, they can now rejoice knowing that God's grace is being extended to them. This story ends with the statement that Peter remained with Cornelius for a few days.

Application

This story provides us with a number of lessons. I'll start with the assembly in the house of Cornelius. I stated that Cornelius was anticipating something good, something encouraging, based upon the words of the angel and the circumstances of Peter's visit to his home. What did this man do when he thought he was going to hear something important or something that would be of benefit to him? Cornelius called others to join him. This is a perfect example of one man, who anticipates being blessed in some manner, taking steps to share that blessing with others-not just his family, but also those outside his household. This is the kind of zeal we all should have when it comes to sharing what God has given us.

How many of us open our homes and call family and friends together to hear about God's plan of redemption? How many of us are so thankful for what we have received that we truly want to share it with others? How many of us are willing to make the preparations necessary to provide a place where people can gather to hear the good news or gather to study the word and sing God's praises? You'd think that Christians would be known for having open doors. We have something to share with others. Unlike Cornelius who only anticipated something wonderful, we have already received the gospel and have been trained in the faith.

Cornelius was an evangelist even before the gospel came! That's the kind of man he was-he was a man who cared about his family and friends, a man who saw an opportunity to learn something and immediately thought to include others. It would be a wonderful thing if we took such advantage of what God has given us. Imagine what God might do if we started imitating Cornelius by opening our homes to provide places for proclaiming the gospel and studying the word.

A second lesson comes from Peter's initial response to the summons from Cornelius. Based on his vision and the instructions of the Spirit, Peter agreed to go to Caesarea and visit the home of this Gentile. This is a case where Peter was going against firmly held convictions and against a lifetime of indoctrination. Peter was a Jew and he was forbidden by Jewish law from entering the dwelling of a Gentile. But Peter realized that God was directing his actions and so, he rightly submitted his preferences and his lifetime of training to the obvious will of God. He did this because it was the right thing to do. Peter had the sense to realize that God was leading him in this situation and even though he was being led against his convictions, he did the right thing and obeyed.

From Peter's example we take a reminder that we must always be prepared to have our preferences and convictions challenged by the truth of God. No matter how strongly we feel about an issue, no matter what we have been taught, we must always be ready to have our perspective corrected by the word of God. This means that Christians should constantly submit their beliefs to the word of God and we should always be ready to adjust our thinking and change our minds when the word of God shows us that we are mistaken. Every thought we have, every conviction we hold is subject to the word of God, which means we need to be students of the word throughout our lives. And we need to pray regularly that as we learn more about the faith God will enable us to conform our thinking to His standard.

A third lesson from this story is completely obvious. The lesson has to do with prejudice. The Jews had for a long time believed the Gentiles were unworthy of recognition, unworthy of friendship and unworthy of concern. The Jews believed that Gentiles were outside God's realm of concern; they believed that God cared only about them and would favor only them. They could not have been more wrong and their perspective could not have been more offensive to the gospel of Christ. When Peter said to Cornelius “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,” it is evident that he finally got the point; he finally was beginning to understand the gospel.

There is nothing that will give us a greater appreciation for the work of Christ than a realization of the magnitude of the atonement and a realization of the incredibly diverse character of His Church. The Body of Christ is composed of people from every nation, every heritage, every color and every tongue. That is the glory of the gospel. It appeals to all people in all times and circumstances. The gospel is unhindered by borders or customs or language. If we could step back and see the Church in all of Her cosmopolitan splendor, we would be amazed, I'm sure. Most of us spend our time in churches where everyone looks like us and thinks like us, for the most part. But the Church encompasses the world and that is something for which we should be thankful.

A fourth lesson is taken from Peter's statement that the prophets wrote about the Savior and the forgiveness of sins which He would bring. What is this except a reminder to us that the gospel is found throughout the Bible? So much damage has been done to the mission of the Church by those who have failed (or refused) to acknowledge this truth. God has always planned to gather into one glorious Body His elect-Jews and Gentiles. He has always planned that people from every corner of the earth would be gathered into one in Christ Jesus. God has never said He had two plans, one for Jews and one for Gentiles; His revelation has been clear about redemption from the beginning.

Peter came to realize that all those statements about the Messiah were not only statements about the Messiah of the Jews, but also statements about the Savior of Gentiles. The statements had been there all along, but had been misinterpreted by the Jews. The inclusion of the Gentiles in redemption is not an “after thought” on God's part; this always has been His purpose.

Conclusion

Our participation in the Lord's Supper is confirmation that we are included in the saving purposes of God. What can we do except give thanks and ask the Lord to use us for His glory?