Break The Locks

Last week, we looked at how Peter’s “unscheduled faith” created space for God to move. He didn’t just go through the motions; he let God interrupt his plans to heal Aeneas and bring Tabitha back to life.

Peter wasn’t just checking boxes—he was stepping into moments where God could work through him, putting people over his agenda and giving all the credit back to Jesus. It’s a reminder that some of the most powerful ministry happens when we’re willing to let go of our own schedules and follow God’s lead.

This week, in Acts 10, Peter’s about to face an even bigger challenge. God’s not just shifting Peter’s plans—He’s calling him to break open the locked doors of his own assumptions about who belongs to God.

Through his encounter with Cornelius, a Gentile, Peter is pushed to rethink who’s “in” and who’s “out.” It’s a powerful reminder that some of the boundaries we hold onto need to be unlocked for the gospel to spread further and reach those we might not expect.

And don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time to dig into this because we’re covering all 48 verses—so get comfortable!

If you’re taking notes (which I hope you are), I’ve titled this message Break the Locks.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Acts 10:1-8 ESV

Cornelius—a Gentile and centurion—is actually the first Gentile mentioned in the book of Acts. Known for his devotion, generosity, and constant prayer, his genuine faith catches God’s attention.

At this point, the church was almost entirely Jewish, with members who shared the same background and traditions. They followed customs that kept Gentiles at a distance, viewing them as “unclean” outsiders. So, the idea of someone like Cornelius being included? Honestly, it was unacceptable.

God giving a vision to a gentile is wild up to this point. And it is surely going to shake somethings up in the church.

Let’s keep going.

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

Acts 10:9-16 ESV

Have you ever been so hungry you started seeing visions of food?

Peter finds himself in that state—hungry and waiting for food when God seizes the moment to reveal a profound truth. As Peter is praying, he sees something miraculous: a vision of a sheet descending from heaven, filled with every kind of animal. And then comes the command, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” This command bothers Peter. He’s a faithful Jew, He has never once eaten anything unclean, anything “common.” But God interrupts his understanding with a lesson that’s both physical and spiritual: “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

God will use the physical, to teach you the spiritual.

This isn’t just about food—it’s about transformation. God uses the ordinary (hunger and food) to bring about a revelation: the gospel is for all people, clean or unclean by human standards. Through this vision, God begins break the locks on the barriers between Jew and Gentile, preparing Peter to welcome Cornelius, a Gentile, into the family of God.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.

Acts 10:17-23 ESV

Peter is confused, wondering, “What just happened? What does that even mean?” Then, all of a sudden, some people arrive at the gate looking for him. He goes to meet them, and they tell him that Cornelius, a Gentile, has received a word from God to find Peter. Peter lets them in, likely now even more confused.

23 The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

Acts 10:23-29 ESV

I just want to say one thing regarding something Cornelius does and how Peter responds

Cornelius bows and falls at the feet of Peter and Peter quickly picks him up and says none of that, I'm just a man.

Don’t put leaders on pedestals that are meant for God, because we will fall off them.

Now we have reached an unprecedented moment. A Jew is in the home of a Gentile. This didn’t happen back then. Jewish customs and laws drew a firm line between Jews and Gentiles, mainly because Gentiles were often seen as unclean. For a Jew to step into a Gentile’s home meant exposure to things considered impure, making them ceremonially unclean under Jewish law.

The gospel will take you to places your traditions may never let you go.

There’s a difference between entering a place where sin exists and becoming part of that sin, versus stepping into that space for the sake of the gospel, despite what’s around you.

So here we are, watching Peter step into a Gentile’s home—a place he never would have entered before. This wasn’t just a casual visit; it was a moment where the barriers of tradition and culture were set aside for the gospel’s sake.

This is the gospel in action: leading us into spaces our traditions may have fenced off, and calling us to go where He leads, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Sharing the gospel means breaking down walls, not reinforcing them.

So, with all this in mind, Peter looks at Cornelius and those gathered, and asks the simple but powerful question: “What did you need from me?”

Look at how Cornelius responds:

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.

Acts 10:30-33 ESV

Translation: Give Me Jesus.

Cornelius is asking for Jesus. Even if he doesn’t fully know it, that’s who he’s asking for.

The world is asking for Jesus—they just may not realize it.

Will you give them Jesus?

Here stands Peter, who, just a day ago, was calling things unclean, refusing even to eat what God told him was clean. Now he’s in the home of a traditionally “unclean” person with the opportunity to share Jesus.

Peter is in awe. Look at how he responds:

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Acts 10:34-35 ESV

Wow. GOD IS GOOD.

Peter realizes that this is so much bigger than he ever thought. It’s bigger than tradition, bigger than being Jew or Gentile. This is about a God who is incredibly, overwhelmingly good.

He then begins to share Jesus:

36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 10:36-43 ESV

In this moment, Peter gives the Gospel. It’s the simple yet profound news of Jesus: that He was anointed by God, did good, overcame evil, died, and rose again. And, most importantly, that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness.

What makes this moment especially significant is that this is the first time the Gospel is being shared with someone who doesn’t look like the others—someone outside the Jewish faith, a Gentile. This is a message reaching across cultures, a message that is not exclusive to one group but open to all.

And look what happens as a result:

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 10:44-48 ESV

As Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit shows up, just as He did with the Jewish believers at Pentecost. God’s Spirit does not discriminate; He moves powerfully upon these Gentile listeners, declaring that they too are accepted, beloved, and welcomed by God.

This event is a turning point. It signifies that the Gospel, the good news of Jesus, is truly for everyone. It’s not limited by tradition or background.

Peter’s understanding of God’s love is forever changed, and the mission of the early church is expanded in ways that would reach the ends of the earth. Just as Jesus commanded them to do.

This is the beginning of a movement that would break the locks of tradition, bringing unity and salvation to all who call upon the name of Jesus.

Now, here is where I want to wrap up. There is small little detail in verse 6, that sets up a little irony but more importantly the intentionality of God.

The angel tells Cornelius exactly where Peter is and who he is with.

6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

Acts 10:6 ESV

Peter was staying with Simon, a tanner. Now, what’s a tanner? A tanner’s job was to make leather, which required constant contact with dead animals and blood—work that would make a person “unclean” in Jewish society.

For a devout Jew like Peter, even being around someone like Simon would normally be uncomfortable or even forbidden. Yet, knowingly or unknowingly, Peter is already crossing boundaries just by staying there.

This detail isn’t random; it hints that God had been working on Peter’s heart, preparing him for the greater shift that’s about to unfold. By the time he witnesses Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter is ready to break free from his inherited restrictions and embrace a new, inclusive mission. God has shown him that grace transcends tradition, reaching all people.

God often works in us quietly, in small ways that prepare us for larger callings.

Don’t underestimate the small things that God is doing in your life. He is often setting something bigger up.

Let God break the locks.