Book of Acts: Acts 10:17-33

I. Seven Themes

A. God the Father orchestrates (Acts 5:38-39)

B. Through Christ, who lives and rules

C. Through the empowering Spirit

D. Causing the word to multiply

E. Bringing salvation to all

F. Forming the church which

G. Witnesses to the ends of the earth

II. Bringing Salvation to All

A. All Flesh

B. Most Expected to the Least Expected

1. Jerusalemite

2. Judeans

3. Hellenists

4. Samaritans

5. 5. God-Fearers

6. Pagans

7. Barbarians

C. Acts 10-11: God Fearers

D. Acts 27: Pagans

1. Seafaring Gentiles and Roman officers

Acts 27:1–3 “And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.”

Acts 27:11 “But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.”

Acts 27:27 “When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.”

Acts 27:37 “(We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)”

Acts 27:43–44 “But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.”

The Mission of the Triune God: A Theology of Acts To All Flesh

This prophetic portrait and the Gentile focus is further supported by Old Testament echoes. Paul becomes a new Jonah, but unlike Jonah, he does not run from the will of God but follows God’s plan to a foreign nation to preach the good news. The parallels between the story of Jonah and Paul are abundant, even though Jonah is a negative example, while Paul is a positive one:

1. Jonah sails to escape God’s call; Paul’s sails to fulfill God’s will.

2. Both Jonah and Paul head westward and encounter fierce storms.

3. In both stories, God uses the wind and waves to show his sovereignty.

4. Both Paul’s and Jonah’s vocations are clarified.

5. Jonah’s presence was the cause of the storm, while Paul’s presence was the reason for deliverance from the storm.

E. Acts 28: Barbarians

Barbarians in Malta

Acts 28:1–10 “After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that th…”

IV. Acts 10:17-33

I. PETER’S CONFUSION AND THE ARRIVAL OF CORNELIUS’ MESSENGERS (ACTS 10:17-22)

Acts 10:17–22 “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 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 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.””

A. Peter’s Uncertainty Regarding the Vision (v. 17)

Peter is perplexed and contemplates the meaning of his vision.

Spirit prompts his to look and take notice.

B. The Arrival of Cornelius’ Messengers (v. 18-19)

The men sent by Cornelius arrive at Simon the Tanner’s house.They inquire about Peter’s presence.

He is upright, well spoken of by the Jewish nation, hear what Peter has to say.

C. The Holy Spirit’s Guidance (v. 20)

The Spirit instructs Peter to go with the men without hesitation.

D. Peter’s Meeting with the Messengers (v. 21-22)

Peter greets the men and inquires about their purpose.The messengers explain Cornelius’ vision and divine instruction to send for Peter.

II. PETER’S JOURNEY TO CORNELIUS’ HOUSE (ACTS 10:23-29)

Acts 10:23–29 “So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 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. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.””

A. Peter’s Hospitality Towards the Messengers (v. 23)

He invites them to stay overnight. He departs with them the next day, accompanied by some believers.

Peter may be realizing the meaning of the vision by inviting them into the house.

B. Cornelius’ Anticipation of Peter’s Arrival (v. 24)

Cornelius gathers his relatives and close friends.He prepares to hear Peter’s message.

He gathers people who are close to him by blood, business, military.

C. Cornelius’ Reverence for Peter (v. 25-26)

Cornelius falls at Peter’s feet.Peter insists that he is merely a man.

Acts 14:14–15 “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.”

Revelation 19:10 “Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Revelation 22:9 “but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.””

D. Peter’s Realization About God’s Impartiality (v. 27-28)

Peter acknowledges that God has shown him no person should be considered unclean.He enters Cornelius’ home and interacts with Gentiles.

It was strongly frowned upon to enter the home of a Gentile (John 4)

E. Peter’s Inquiry About the Reason for His Summons (v. 29)

Peter expresses his willingness to obey. He asks why he was sent for.

III. CORNELIUS’ EXPLANATION OF HIS VISION (ACTS 10:30-33)

Acts 10:30–33 “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 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 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.’ 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.””

A. Cornelius Recounts His Angelic Encounter (v. 30-32)

He describes how an angel appeared to him during prayer.The angel instructed him to send for Peter.

B. Cornelius’ Eagerness to Hear God’s Message (v. 33)

He welcomes Peter into his home.He expresses his readiness to receive the message from God.

Gentile Pentecost

Luke 24:47 “and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””