Savior of All

Is Jesus a Messiah only for the Jewish people or is He the Savior of the world?

God’s Appearance to Cornelius - Acts 10:1-8

Introduction of Cornelius - Acts 10:1-2

Acts 10:1–2 NIV

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Cornelius was a Roman soldier, a Gentile

Cornelius was a believer in God

He represents a difficult paradox to the early believers

Cornelius’ Vision - Acts 10:3-6

Acts 10:3–6 NIV

One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

Cornelius follows the Angel’s instructions - Acts 10:7-8

Acts 10:7–8 NIV

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision - Acts 10:9-16

Acts 10:9–16 NIV

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

This is not a statement about dietary laws

God wants to open Peter’s eyes about his perceptions of people

God instructs Peter to go to Cornelius’ house to share the Gospel with him.

Peter Shares the Gospel with Gentiles - Acts 10:23-29

Acts 10:23–29 NIV

Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Peter encounters a large group of Gentiles at the house of Cornelius

Peter acknowledges what God has been trying to teach him - Acts 10:34-35

Acts 10:34–35 NIV

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

He goes on to teach about Jesus, including His death and resurrection

God demonstrated His acceptance of these Gentiles by the giving of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44–48 NIV

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

A Conflict Arises in Antioch

The Gospel was also preached to Gentiles in Antioch - Acts 11:19-21

Acts 11:19–21 NIV

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Barnabas is asked to investigate this situation and along with Saul, stays in Antioch to encourage the believers - Acts 11:22-26

Acts 11:22–26 NIV

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

A dispute erupted between Jews who claimed that Gentiles must first become Jews to be a Christian and Barnabas and Saul - Acts 15:1-2

Acts 15:1–2 NIV

Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

The Conflict is Resolved by the Jerusalem Council

Peter shared his experience with Cornelius

Barnabas and Paul shared about their experience in Antioch

James referred them to the Old Testament scriptures and then reached this judgement - Acts 15:19-21

Acts 15:19–21 NIV

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

This statement clearly allowed Gentiles to become Christians equally with Jews

This statement also asked for consideration where there might be deeply held differences

We finish with a variation of our initial questions:

Is Jesus a Savior only for people like me or is He the Savior of the world?