The Gospel To The Gentiles

Cornelius: The God-Fearer

Cornelius was a Gentile

Cornelius was a resident of Caesarea. This city had a large Gentile population.

Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian Cohort. he would oversee approximately 100 men for the Roman military force.

Cornelius was uncircumcised (see ).

Cornelius was a God-fearer.

He feared God with all his household.

He gave alms generously to the people

He prayed continuously to God.

Cornelius needed the gospel.

Though his prayers and alms ascended to God as a memorial, God’s angel told him to send for Peter.

He obeyed God and sent his servant and devout soldier to get Peter.

His good deeds were not enough apart from a saving faith in Christ. (Acts 11:13-14)

Though Cornelius seemed to earnestly seek God and do good works, he still lacked the true and deeper faith and relationship with God. We will often meet people who are like Cornelius and are searching for God. We have to point them to Christ and His work to see them get truly saved.

Peter: The Jewish Christian

Peter was a Jew who had received the gospel.

Peter was praying to God on the housetop prior to falling into a trance. Though this doesn’t make him a Jew, it does show that he was devoted to seeking God.

Due to the Jewish dietary laws, Peter had never eaten of the animals shown to him in his trances. (For further information, read ).

Peter had a concept of clean vs. unclean in terms of both animals and people.

The Message of Acts 2. Peter Is Sent for by Cornelius (10:1–8)

The tragedy was that Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favouritism, became filled with racial pride and hatred, despised Gentiles as ‘dogs’, and developed traditions which kept them apart. No orthodox Jew would ever enter the home of a Gentile, even a God-fearer, or invite such into his home (see verse 28). On the contrary, ‘all familiar intercourse with Gentiles was forbidden’ and ‘no pious Jew would of course have sat down at the table of a Gentile’.

The Message of Acts 2. Peter Is Sent for by Cornelius (10:1–8)

The tragedy was that Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favouritism, became filled with racial pride and hatred, despised Gentiles as ‘dogs’, and developed traditions which kept them apart. No orthodox Jew would ever enter the home of a Gentile, even a God-fearer, or invite such into his home (see verse 28). On the contrary, ‘all familiar intercourse with Gentiles was forbidden’ and ‘no pious Jew would of course have sat down at the table of a Gentile’

The Message of Acts 2. Peter Is Sent for by Cornelius (10:1–8)

The tragedy was that Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favouritism, became filled with racial pride and hatred, despised Gentiles as ‘dogs’, and developed traditions which kept them apart. No orthodox Jew would ever enter the home of a Gentile, even a God-fearer, or invite such into his home (see verse 28). On the contrary, ‘all familiar intercourse with Gentiles was forbidden’ and ‘no pious Jew would of course have sat down at the table of a Gentile’.

The Message of Acts 2. Peter Is Sent for by Cornelius (10:1–8)

The tragedy was that Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favouritism, became filled with racial pride and hatred, despised Gentiles as ‘dogs’, and developed traditions which kept them apart. No orthodox Jew would ever enter the home of a Gentile, even a God-fearer, or invite such into his home (see verse 28). On the contrary, ‘all familiar intercourse with Gentiles was forbidden’ and ‘no pious Jew would of course have sat down at the table of a Gentile’

“The tragedy was that Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favouritism, became filled with racial pride and hatred, despised Gentiles as ‘dogs’, and developed traditions which kept them apart. No orthodox Jew would ever enter the home of a Gentile, even a God-fearer, or invite such into his home (see verse 28). On the contrary, ‘all familiar intercourse with Gentiles was forbidden’ and ‘no pious Jew would of course have sat down at the table of a Gentile’.” -John Stott

Peter failed to understand God’s purpose.

Striving to be loyal to God’s law, Peter refused to kill and eat as God commanded him.

Peter failed realize God’s authority to determine what is clean and unclean for him.

God’s expansion of the gospel was presented to Peter when He said, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (v. 15)

If all foods were clean, then so were the people who ate those foods. Therefore, a Jew could enter the home of a Gentile and eat with them. (Comp. again to )

As you read through the Bible, it is clear that God had a plan and purpose for Israel in order to keep them holy and distinct from other nations. However, Israel failed to do this, and the greatest Israelite—Jesus—came to open the door for all types of people to be saved. The gospel went to the Jews first, but would be expanded to the Gentiles as well ()

God Sent Good News To The Gentiles

Peter preached the gospel to the Gentiles he came to stay with in Caesarea.

God shows no partiality. All who fear Him in every nation and do what is right are acceptable to Him. (v. 34-35)

Jesus lived and did good to the people throughout all Judea (v.36-38)); Jesus died on the cross to make atonement for sin (v.39); Jesus rose from the dead (v.40).

Jesus sent witnesses to proclaim the gospel and forgiveness of sins to those who will believe in Him (v.41-43).

The Holy Spirit fell on those who heard the Word.

The Holy Spirit enabled the gospel message to take root in the hearts of those who heard Peter’s preaching.

The Holy Spirit amazed the believing Jews who came with Peter.

The Holy Spirit gave evidence of His work in the lives of the Gentiles at Caesarea by enabling them to speak in tongues and extol God.

Peter baptized the Gentiles who had just been saved.

There was no reason to refuse the baptism of these Gentile believers. He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Peter acknowledged that the Gentile believers received the Holy Spirit “just as” the Jews had. (see )

Peter, as we can see in , likely stayed with them a few days. This further emphasizes that Peter’s heart and attitude had changed toward the Gentiles who were now believers.

Who do you find it hard to accept in this world? Are there people you aren’t supposed to be around because they are deemed “unclean” by our culture or our churches? Remember that God shows no partiality. He saved us as Gentiles and He can save any other “unclean” people as well. Are you willing to give them the gospel?