The Gospel to All Nations

Introduction:

Open your Bible to the book of Acts this morning

Acts chapter 10 found on page 864 in the black church Bibles under the seat in front of you.

Last week we saw Luke shift from the conversion of Paul to the ministry of Peter

We noted that this is in part to continue to establish Peter as one of the major leaders in the early church - but more so to present the transformative power of the Gospel

Luke is writing to show his readers how the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread to all the world - how the unstoppable work of Christ is continuing on

So he has been weaving together selected events of the early church that show us this transformative power

These are not recorded because they are interesting events - or because they were supernatural miracles - there were other miracles that are not recorded

Remember the ministry of Philip?

Acts 8:6-8 (ESV)

And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

That is the only thing mentioned about those miracles - they occured and there was much joy

So, why are these specific events recorded?

Because Luke is painting a picture - he is selecting some of them (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to show us the transformative effect of the gospel

Last week we learned from two of the miracles that, “The Gospel Changes Everything!”

Aeneas, who was paralyzed and bedridden for 8 years was healed and commanded to “make [his] bed” - because he would never need it again

The gospel so changes us that the things of the old nature - the old ways - the old life - are not needed anymore - for we are new creatures in Christ - the old has passed away

So… we are to put them away

So too, the gospel changes the dead into the living

Dorcas was dead - completely dead - and then made alive

She was “raised” - the same word is used in both stories - Aeneas was “raised” up from the bed that held him in bondage - Dorcas was “raised” up from death to life

This is what the gospel does - it changes everything

After Dorcas was raised up, she was presented alive

Those who are in Christ are presented alive - first, before the Father - and second before the world

We are different, because the gospel changes everything

That same theme that Luke is presenting is further developed in the next chapter - the chapter we will look at now

Here we will see that the gospel changes relationships - it changes divisions and brings together what was broken

Here we see “The Gospel to all Nations”

I invite you to stand with me, if you are able, for the reading of the Word of God

Read Acts 10:1–35 (ESV)

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

This is the Word of the Living God - and it is good for us

Pray

The goal of evangelism is global

With the conclusion of the Gospels, our Lord revealed the fullness of his mission to the disciples when he issued what we now call “the great commission”

Luke’s gospel concludes with these words from Jesus…

Luke 24:46–49 (ESV)

and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The commission is to take the message of the resurrection and the proclamation of repentance for the forgivness of sins to the world

The disciples are to be witnesses

Now, when we come to the opening of the book of Acts, we find Luke recording more details on this commission - right before Jesus ascends into heaven

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

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.”

The goal of the commission is to take the gospel to the ends of the earth

That begins in Jerusalem - with gospel proclamation to the Jews first

It spreads to the outer regions and includes the Samaritans

And then moves to the gentiles and the rest of the earth

A ministry that continues to this day

We are still taking the gospel to the ends of the earth - the people of every tribe and tongue

I serve on a small mission board, whose goal is to help facilitate the gospel message being spread to all nations - we focucs on supporting missionaries who are indigenous to that land

It is called - Message of the Gospel to All Nations

For that is our commission by Christ

As we move forward here in the book of Acts, we find the message of the Gospel being shifted from Jerusalem and from the Jews to the world - the gentiles

I know that we have seen it in a small since in the Ethiopian Eunuch who was baptized under the ministry of Philip, but now we see it in full - we see a full-fledged shift in the focus of the gospel presentation

It is no longer going to be an after thought - or a side effect - that gentiles come to Christ

It is going to become a primary goal - take the gospel to the gentiles

And that should be significant to you - for most, if not all, here in this room are gentiles - and we have heard the gospel

It begins here in Acts 10

RC Sproul calls this, “one of the most important chapters in the entire book of Acts, if not the most important chapter.”

he goes on to say…

“it is one of the most important chapters in the entire New Testament because it brings to our attention an extremely important moment in redemptive history, a time of transition from the old way of doing things to a whole new epoch of God’s redemptive activity.”

This is what Paul was referring to in the book of Colossians as “the mystery”

Colossians 1:26–27 (ESV)

the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The “mystery” is a reference to something that was veiled in the Old Testament that is now made clear - fully revealed

The Mystery that Paul refers to is the indwelling of the Spirit Christ in the believer through the means of salvation

That God is not just above us, not just around us, not just with us, but God is IN us!

And this is not limited to an ethnic group of people - this is for all nations - Gentiles will be gathered with Jews to form one people

A distinct people separated from the world - not by ethnicity, but by the Spirit - by faith

Coming into Acts 10 ww see the beginning os this shift

But this will not be an easy shift for the Jews - there was a strong barrier between the Jews and the gentiles

Cultural and ceremonial dividers that had to be removed

And it starts with Peter

When Luke left off in chapter 9, Peter was in the city of Joppa - he had just been used to raise Aeneas from teh bed of the paralyzed and Dorcas from the bed of death

The gospel was proclaimed and many believed

As Luke ends chapter 9 he leaves a strange little sentence that I think gives us a window in to the mindset of of Peter and perhaps of the Jewish Christian

Acts 9:43 (ESV)

And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

It might seem insignificant, but Luke mentions him again on two other occasions in our passage today by the identifier, “a tanner”

This might seems like the way to separate Simon, from Simon Peter - but, then why not just say “Peter” as Luke does in other places

And the mention of Simon the Taner chapter 10 verse 6 and verse 32 are both quotes of the angelic message given to Cornelius

Here is my point.. I think it is significant that Peter was staying with a Taner

A tanner was one who dealt with dead animals - tanning the hides

They were regarded as “unclean” - some have speculated that this is a gentile, but I don’t think that is the case - considering the comments that Peter will make in the passage

I think this is a Jewish Tanner who would have been unclean in the eyes of the orthodox Jew - and Peter, in the gospel name, is willing to look past that ceremonial uncleaness and stay with a fellow Jew who has recieved the gospel

I think this small, seemingly insignificant reference (mentioned 3 times) is to alert us to the real prejudice in the heart of Peter and in the heart of all the Jews

They were only willing to go so far with this “gospel to the ends of the earth” thing

So God orchestrates Two Visions and Two Journeys that come together in One Salvation

And they will show us One God, one Gospel, and one people

We will not get through all of this today - we wills start with the two visions this week and pick up with the rest next time…

First, the…

Two Visions - 1-16

The first vision takes place in Caesarea, a coastal town about 30 miles north of Joppa, along the coast

Vision 1

Here, there was a man named Cornelius and we are told he is a Centurion - which in generally means he would have been over 100 Roman Soldiers

But there is the sub mention of “the Italian Cohort” - which some believe is more of a reference to a special forces unit

An elite fighting group

The emphasis seems to be to impress us with the significance of this man in the Roman Army

He was a high official… and he was about to call fro a Jew to come to his house

Now, we are told some things about Cornelius that are significant

2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God

He was devoted to the One God - his genuineness belief was made evident by his generosity and constant prayer

He is what would become known as a “God-fearer”

A gentile who worshiped the God of the Jews

He converted as far as possible without being circumcised

He worshiped the God of the Bible, but was not allowed into the Temple - not allowed full access

Here he stands, in the afternoon and he suddenly has a vision of an angel - and he is struck with terror - because that is what happens when you see an angel

The Angel speaks tom him and says…

4b “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

God has heard your prayers - He has seen the fruit of the genuineness of your belief in Him

Now, to be sure, this does not mean that he was a Christian - for you cannot be a Christian without Christ

You cannot be saved without Christ - there is no other name under heave by which we must be saved!

It means that God has been preparing him to receive the gospel

So, he is told to send messengers to Joppa and get Peter - that is, “Simon Peter”

Remember, Simon means “listen” or “Hearing”

It seems to show up with Peter when he is being called upon to listen - to learn

This will be a big challenge for Peter

So, without hesitation Cornelius calls two servants and a soldier together and sends them to Joppa

It is about a 30 mile Journey

While they are on their way, Peter is praying at about noon

And since they are nearly at the City gates, we can assume they left in the early morning hours - or the night before (which may be why he sent a soldier with them)

Here now, we find the second Vision

Vision 2

Peter is praying about the noon hour and gets hungry - as he is preparing lunch, he sees the heavens open and a sheet comes down (like a picnic blanket) with all kinds of annimals on it - animals that were considere unclean by the Jewish ceremonial law

He is told to “Rise… kill and eat.” verse 13

And this is interesting

The Lord says to Peter - Rise, kill and eat and peter says…

14… By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

This is the same Peter - perhaps again, that is why he is called by his old name “Simon”

Same Peter who told the Lord no when Jesus was about to wash his feet

Same Peter who told the Lord No when he was warned that he would deny Him

“No Lord… those animals are common - the are unclean and I have never eaten such things - and Im not going to start now” “I’m going to stay ceremonially clean while I am at this Tanners house”

The next message is a bold statement - and while we cannot discern the tone (and I think it is generally best not to try) it does seem likely that the vice became more stern with the next sentence

15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Under the Old covenant, there were ceremonial and dietary separations that the people of God were to hold on to - it was an illustration of separating from the uncleaness of worldliness

It was no small thing either - this is something that the four Hebrew boys of Daniel risked their lives over - Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Meshael, and Azariah - refused to eat the kings food and defile themselves - and their obedience to God was honored

The purpose of the ceremonial law was to show the separation from worldliness - it was an illustration

The Jews had taken the purpose of separation from the world to a whole new level - a place that was never intended

Instead of separating from worldliness and calling the nations to join them in separation, they simply separated from the nations

And in many ways, they did not separate from the worldliness that they were called out of

They missed the point for the illustration

So too, Peter was missing the point

He was not ready to embrace gentiles - he still had distain for them - they were “unclean”

God was changing the rules

Now, be sure, that God does not change the moral Law - that is, the 10 commandments - becasue to do that would require that he change his character - and He does not change

The Moral Law is not an illustration, it is the measuring rod - it is the gate to the Holiness of God

Before Christ, we could not obey the Moral Law - but in Christ (who did obey the Law) we can begin to obey

The Ceremonial laws were set up as an illustration of cleansing and sanctification

And they are now fulfilled in Christ - In Him we are separated and purified - we are cleansed

And therefore, they are no longer needed

And here, God is giving another illustration - using the expired ceremonial law

The vision, is not about the food - it’s about the people

Do not call common what I have made clean

The gospel work of Christ removes the commonness of any man

It makes all people worthy of hearing the gospel message

Not to be brought in to the outer courts, but to be brought in all the way - the the holy of holies

Those who were separated are to be brought in by the gospel

this is what Paul would explain to the Ephesians…

Ephesians 2:11–16 (ESV)

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Those of us who were outside, are brought in by the work of Christ - not as secondary - but as equal

Peter, don’t call common what God has made Clean

And to get the point across…

Peter sees the vision three times

Sometimes in Scriptures, numbers are just numbers and we shouldn’t make too much of them

But sometimes, they have significant purpose

When you find something repeated in Scripture, it is generally there for emphasis

As in.. this is important - pay attention

When Jesus would teach He often would begin with “Truly, Truly” - or “Verily verily”

It was repeated becasue he wanted you to pay attention and listen

Like the herald giving a proclamation of the king - Hear ye hear ye

Or the captain of a over a loudspeaker, “Now hear this, now Hear this” before offering vital instructions

You want to pay attention to what is to follow

The Psalms are rife with repetition to drive home the point

But when you come across something repeated three times, you want to pay special attention

It is as though the fullness or complete statement is being made

AS with the declaration by the angelic beings in Isaiah 6 who declared that God is “Holy, Holy, Holy”

The third degree of repetition signifies completeness - Out God - Father, Son and Holy SPirit - 3 in 1 - are eternally Holy Holy Holy

You see the complete repetition

So too we see this in the interaction between Peter and our Lord

It happens at the table on the night of our Lords betrayal - a promise that Peter would deny Jesus three times

It is confirmed before sunrise when the roaster crows three times

The denial is complete - total

It shows up again after the resurrection - around the breakfast table on the beach - as Jesus asks Peter three times do you love me?

And three times says… feed my sheep

Complete love is complete obedience

Peter - I have sheep that are not fro the same fold - all my sheep will hear my voice and come to me (John 10)

Do not all them unclean - for I have made them clean in christ

This vision that Peter sees is not mainly about the food - it is about Gentiles - it is about racism - ethnic hostility

Conclusion:

The gospel is for all people - you don’t get to decide who is worthy of hearing the gospel and who is not

Now, we, as gentiles, rejoice in this vision - and then we turn around and do the same thing

We decide who is worthy - by dress, hair, language, culture, skin color, ethnicity, citizenship, religious beleif systems, or activities

We deem some worthy of our time and others not

The dividing wall of hostility has been torn down - we are called from every tribe - every tongue - every people group

In the last days, voices will rise with a new song before the Lamb of God

Revelation 5:9–10 (ESV)

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

The people of God are One people

Two visions to show one purpose - one Gospel - one church - one people

Oh may we not argue with God about who He is calling his own

The gospel is not for the Jew only - the gospel is not for the American only - the gospel is not for the… fill in the blank… only - it is for the people that God is preparing for His own - it is for the called of God

We are commanded to go in to all the earth and share this Gospel message - may we be faithful in our calling

Let us pray

Pray

Benediction

Revelation 7:9–12 (ESV)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”