Skip to content
Acts 10:1-23
GETTING STARTED: The description of Cornelius – A devout God-fearing man. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. Cornelius is a God fearing gentile who attends services at the local synagogue. He believes in God – but has not yet converted to Judaism. He practices prayer – devout living and generosity.
- Caesarea is the capital of Judea and located there is a volunteer regiment known as the Italian Regiment. Cornelius is a centurion or captain in this regiment. Thirty miles away on the coast is Joppa. Peter stays with a tanner named Simon.
- God is ready to bring a new direction to the church so that the Gospel will be preached to Gentiles and to Jews. People will not need to become Jews to become Christians. They will be saved by the work of Jesus, and they will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Your young men will see visions. God will speak to Cornelius and to Peter through a vision.
GOD SPEAKS TO CORNELIUS. Acts 10:1-8
- God chooses Cornelius – likely to demonstrate that you don’t need circumcision to live a Godly life. He was doing that – but he had no way of hearing the Gospel.
- So God decides that this man must hear the Good News and not trust in circumcision and becoming a Jew to be saved – but to be saved by calling on the name of the Lord.
- The message – Go get Peter. Peter is chosen by God to lead this major breakthrough. The church will include Gentiles. When Jesus said to go to the ends of the earth – it wasn’t just for the Jews scattered to the ends of the earth – it was to everyone. JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
GOD SPEAKS TO PETER. Acts 10:9-23
- Noon was a time for prayer – but Peter is hungry – and tired – so he asks for some food to be prepared and goes up on the flat roof to wait and nap.
- Now God has him alone and uses this occasion to speak to him through a vision. God uses Peter’s hunger to speak a bigger message to him. Eat these animals that you think are unclean – but that I call clean. Peter objects – but God corrects. Settle this – God’s way is best. You can object – but God is correct.
- Tradition is so strong in Peter that God has to show him the vision 3 times. Even then it is difficult for him to comprehend. But Peter is willing and he is obedient.
- When the men from Cornelius arrive – Peter goes with them. A BRAND NEW DAY IS BEING LAUNCHED UNDER GOD’S DIRECTION.
CLOSING THOUGHT: New direction will come to us when we take time to seek the
Lord and listen to His voice. God is still speaking and leading through His Spirit.
