When the Lord decided it was time to send the gospel to the Gentiles, he prepared the way. First, he prepared the Gentile, a Roman centurion in Caesarea who was a God fearer, a man who believed in God and observed Jewish rituals, but had not been circumcised. Then he prepared the evangelist, Peter, the leader of the apostles. He prepared both of them through visions.
Cornelius’ Vision
10:1-8
Cornelius, though a Roman soldier, was a Godly man. He prayed continually and gave generously. During one of these prayer times (the ninth hour), an angel appeared to him. Notice that Cornelius, though a soldier and leader, was terrified. The angel must have been glorious. The angel told him his prayers and alms had been received by God as an offering. Therefore, he was to send men to Joppa to find Simon Peter and bring him to Caesarea. The implication is that, because of his devotion, God had chosen Cornelius to receive the gospel.
Peter’s Vision
10:9-16
Right before Cornelius’ men reached the house where Peter was staying, the Lord brought a vision to Peter. Peter saw a sheet filled with animals, both clean and unclean. He was told to kill and eat. Peter, being an observant Jew, refused. Then the voice said that Peter may not call common (unclean) anything God has made clean. This vision appeared three times, evidently to make sure Peter got the message.
The Invitation
10:17-34
The men arrived then and asked for Peter. Peter was up on the roof thinking about the vision. The Holy Spirit told him to go with the men because he, the Spirit, had sent the men. When Peter went down to meet them, they told him they were from Cornelius, the Centurion, and an angel had told Cornelius to send for Peter and to hear his message.
So, Peter went. Cornelius was ready for him. He had invited his relatives and close friends to be there.
When Peter arrived, Cornelius assumed he was some sort of divinity, since an angel had appeared to him earlier. He fell at Peter’s feet to worship him. This shows that, although Cornelius was a well paid leader of men, he was not prideful. Peter, of course, lifted Cornelius up and told him he, Peter, was a man, meaning he should not be worshipped.
Peter also saw there was a crowed gathered in the house to hear him. They were likely all Gentiles. This is a crisis moment for Peter, for a devout Jew would not go into the house of a Gentile. It would make him unclean.
But Peter has come to understand God’s message. He told the crowd this and asked why Cornelius had sent for him. (29) Cornelius told Peter the story of the angel appearing and telling him to send for Peter. So, Cornelius did, and he expected a message from God. He said “we are all here in the presence of god to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord”. (33) This indicates the crowd gathered were all God-fearers, and that they understood that God had prepared the way for them to hear a message from God’s representative, Peter the apostle.
Peter Preached the Gospel
10:34-43
Peter began by repeating his understanding that God shows no partiality, he accepts anyone from any nation who fears him and does what is right. (34) This also tells the crowd that they may receive the message brought to them by this Jew.
Peter told them about the life of Jesus, his death and resurrection. He said he and others were witnesses to the resurrection and were commanded to testify that Jesus is the Messiah, judge and savior. He ended by saying everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins. (43)
The Holy Spirit Comes to the Gentiles
10:44-48
The people in the crowd believed the message and the Holy Spirit fell on them. They gave the same evidence that previous believers had: they praised God in other languages.
The Jewish believers with Peter were amazed that the Gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit. They still thought the gospel was only for the Jews. But Peter commanded that they all be baptized.
And the people wanted to hear more. They asked Peter to stay with them for some time.
And so, the gospel came to the Gentiles.
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