Acts #11

“Peter’s Surprise”

Thank you guys, and thank you Kristi & Eloise for that wonderful music, but before we continue in our studies of the book of Acts tonight, please if you would:

“Join me in a word of prayer.”

I’ve entitled tonight’s message, “Peter’s Surprise”.

The last time I was with you guys we left off 8 verses into chapter 10 of our study of the book of Acts, talking about the vision of an Angel from God, Cornelius the Roman centurion had seen, and the instructions the Angel had given him. Tonight we’re going to look at the fulfilment of those instructions and the significance they played in the founding of the new church, the Body of Christ. We will start by reading verses 9-23 of chapter 10 together.

Read text:

As Cornelius’s men were making their way to the home of Simon the tanner to find Peter, Peter was having a divine encounter of his own. At noon on the day after Cornelius had his vision, Peter was on the rooftop of Simon the tanners home praying, and waiting for lunch to be prepared. His hunger must have played a role in the vision he received as verse 10 tell us. (“10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance).

In the vision, Peter saw a large sheet lowered from heaven that contained all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. Many, if not all, were “unclean” as defined in the Law of Moses. I know there had to be a pig in there, yet a voice called Peter by name and told him to kill and eat. Notice verse 13. (“13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.””).

Peter’s refusal to comply to the voice was emphatic. His hard-line stance was reminiscent of two previous occasions: once when Jesus had tried to tell the apostles of His impending death in Matthew 16:21–22. Lets look at it (“21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”). and again Peter drew back when Jesus tried to wash his feet in John chapter 13. It seems that Peter was still in the habit of trying to tell the Lord how things should be done in His own kingdom. Even after a second and third command, Peter held fast. Then the sheet disappeared back into heaven. Notice verses 15 and 16. (“15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”)

Peter hardly had time to make sense of the vision before Cornelius’s messengers arrived at the gate and called out for him. Before he could even answer, the Holy Spirit told him to accommodate them because they had been sent by the Holy Spirit through Cornelius. Peter was likely beginning to see the connection between his vision that had challenged the distinction between clean and unclean foods and the timely arrival of the Gentile (unclean) visitors. So he went downstairs and introduced himself. The three men explained why they were there, and Peter invited them in as his guests. This was very unusual for a Jew to invite gentiles into a Jewish home.

The invitation was certainly a step in the right direction. For one thing, Peter had been waiting for lunch, and probably shared it with his three visitors. In addition, it was too late to begin the thirty-mile trip from Joppa back to Caesarea, so the three men needed somewhere to stay for the night. Most Jews wouldn’t consider allowing Gentiles under their roofs, much less overnight. God was beginning to break down some of the divisive barriers between the two groups.

The next day Cornelius’s three messengers led the way back to Caesarea, along with Peter and six Jewish believers from Joppa. The distance, of about 35 miles, took more than a day to travel, so the group arrived four days after Cornelius had his vision. Notice verse 30. (“30 So 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,”).

Cornelius must have felt strongly that Peter would respond favorably to his invitation because he had gathered a large group of friends and relatives to his home. As Peter entered, Cornelius met him at the door and fell at his feet in an act of worship. But Peter quickly made him get up, assuring him that they were both equals.

Peter walked right into Cornelius’s home, breaking down old taboos and setting an example both for the Gentiles there and the Jewish believers he had brought with him. By this time it was clear that he had come to understand his vision as a sign that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean. Notice verses 28–29 (“28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”).

Cornelius explained the reason he had sent for Peter, and that he had brought together a group of friends and family to listen to what God had commanded Peter to say. It is apparent that both Peter and Cornelius were not acting on their own instincts, but following what the Holy Spirit had instructed them to do.

Peter began to speak to the crowd about Jesus’ life and ministry, His death, and His resurrection. He emphasized the divine plan behind the events that had played out during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Peter could offer not only the facts about Jesus, but also his personal verification as an eyewitness both before and after Jesus’ crucifixion. However Peter’s message only provided information concerning the gospel of the kingdom, but not the gospel of grace, which we live under today. He concluded with an image of Jesus as the one appointed as God’s judge of humanity, but doesn’t mention anything about the finished work of the cross. Notice verses 42 and 43. (“42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”).

Peter was still speaking when the truth of his words were confirmed by the arrival of the Holy Spirit on all who were listening. The Jewish believers were amazed to see Gentiles speaking in tongues and praising God. Look at verses 44-46 (“44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.).

The next step for those expressing faith in Jesus was baptism. This would be the first time Gentiles were baptized just like the Jewish believers had been. And apparently there was no objection, because Peter saw to their baptisms right away. Notice verses 47 and 48. (“47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”).

Conclusion:

This was a very important and memorable moment in the history of the church. The fulfilment of the revelation of the mystery, given only to the apostle Paul, was beginning. God’s love, mercy, and grace was beginning to reach everyone without having to go through the nation of Israel. This was the mystery that was never prophesied in the Old Testament. But it would take another 10 years for the truth and significance of this event to sink in with Peter as we’ll later see in Acts chapter 15.

Lets pray together:

Invitation:

As Kristi and Eloise are getting us ready to sing our last hymn tonight, and as we’re considering all the things we’ve learned together, about the beginning of the church in the book of Acts, and if you have never honored God by asking Him to save you from what we all deserve, which is spiritual death, this would be the perfect time to do just that. God has made that so easy for us to do. The Bible says that anyone, and I do mean anyone, who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus “SHALL BE SAVED”. It doesn’t matter what your past may look like. The Lord just cares about your future. And He wants everyone to spend that future with Him in heaven, forever. Don’t wait another second. If you have any doubt at all about your eternal security, or what’s going to happen to you when you die physically, I beg you to get it settled right now. Don’t wait another second. Get it taken care of right this minute, right here,----- just quietly, ----- with your eyes closed, ----- with your heads bowed, ----- and with your heart’s toward God, ----- just pray a little prayer like this......just pray......Lord, thank you that you love me. I am a sinner, in need of a savior. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and for the sins of the whole world. I also believe that after three days He was raised from the dead by Your power, so that I also may live in newness of life. Save me Lord, so I may live the rest of my life for You.----- The Bible says if you prayed a simple little prayer like this “you will be saved”.

Please, as we’re singing our last hymn tonight, and if you still need too, just pray that little prayer I mentioned as we sing. And God will save you !! Lets sing together.