Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Acts 10:40

Illustration: America and really the world today, is not much different than it was when Peter took a little trip to Joppa.

You see, there was a man there named Cornelius who know about the God of the Jews, the God of the Bible.

He was a man who knew how to treat his neighbor.

He was religious.

But sadly, religion couldn’t provide what his soul desperately needed: The forgiveness of sins.

No matter how hard he prayed, no matter how much he gave, no matter how faithfully he worked, he was lost without hope.

He needed God’s man to bring him God’s Word and for God’s Holy Spirit to work in his heart, his life and his home.

Come and join me, on the western coast of Israel, near the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, and come and hear the tale of the greatest man who ever walked the earth!

Sub-Intro:

a

is divided into five movements.

a) Vision (vv.1-8)

▪ Herod renamed Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus.

▪ Caesarea is the capital of Judea, major Romans seaport for Palestine, center of Roman military activity.

Where Pilate lived.

Herod modernized the city and built magnificent harbor.

Center of Roman government and military activity, etc.

▪ Cornelius was a common Roman name.

He, centurion, Roman officer having 100 soldiers under him, commanded 100 soldiers; interestingly, throughout Scripture centurions are spoken of positively.

▪ Italian band or Italian cohort.

– Comprised of 600 soldiers.

Had ties with Italy.

▪ Centurion is given positive light in the NT.

▪ Cornelius Represents New kind of person in Acts.

Though Ethiopian Eunuch…Centurion is looked down upon because occupation of force upon Palestine.

Jesus’ contact with a Centurion .

prophesied by Jesus.

▪ Devout man – lived a moral life; feared God of Israel; prayed; was generous toward the poor.

Some had felt he was saved before Peter got to him.

ß John Sanders, open theism; inclusivism in the vol.

what about those who have never heard?

Reputation of inclusivism view: Ramesh Richard in BSac 601.

▪ Was Cornelius saved before Peter came to see him?

probably yes.

▪ At 3pm Cornelius was praying (v.3).

▪ Cornelius sent men to Joppa to get Peter.

b) Another Vision (vv.9-16)

▪ Most Jews pray 2 times; pious three times.

▪ Roof top – for solitude.

▪ Peter was hungry (v.10) – this explains why God used a vision of food.

▪ Falls into a trance and he sees a sheet/canvas (like a ship sail) filled with clean and unclean animals.

▪ He is told to rise, kill, and eat, but he strongly resists initially because it is against Mosaic Law.

Parallel – Peter in Joppa and Jonah went Joppa.

Will Peter obey?

Jonah disobeyed when he was in Joppa.

c) Visitation (vv.17-23a)

▪ Cornelius' messenger calls out for Peter; they present Cornelius to Peter in the best light possible and ask him to help.

▪ Invites them inside – very unusual.

Evidently Peter starts to get the point.

▪ Unusual for Peter to invite the men in – perhaps he is understanding the vision.

▪ Peter takes 6 others (Jewish Christians) with him – 2 day trip to Joppa.

d) Visitation (vv.23-43)

▪ Takes 6 other people with him.

▪ Probably took 2 days.

▪ When Cornelius meets Peter, attempt to worship him.

Response of the first pope.

Much different current vicar of Rome.

Kiss the toe of image of Peter.

▪ Associate with Gentile which Mishna taboos it

▪ Cornelius makes arrangements for Peter's arrival (v.24)

▪ Peter preaches to his first Gentile audience.

First sermon to purely Gentile audience.

Similar in .

Spent more time in pre-crucifixion ministry of Jesus.

e) Vindication (vv.44-48)

▪ Gentiles believed Peter’s message and are given the Holy Spirit immediately.

Outward evidence is that they speak in tongues.

Probably spoke in Aramaic (Jewish dialect which they have not known).

▪ Vindication of what is taking place.

▪ Outward evidence is speaking in tongues.

C. Jason Walker, Course Notes - Pensacola Theological Seminary | Commentary, n.d., .

I. Peter Perceived the Hand of God ().

A. Peter’s Own Growth in Grace and Knowledge ().

A. Peter’s Own Growth in Grace and Knowledge ().

Note - Peter “opened his mouth”

Note how Peter’s perception has been seen in his previous experience (i.

e. perception concerning Jesus, perception at the tomb, etc.)

Note - “respecter of persons” lit.

receiving the face; that is, God does not allow Himself to be influenced by appearances.

B. Peter’s Guidance in God’s Revelation ().

B. Peter’s Guidance in God’s Revelation ().

Note - Whom does God accept?

Anyone, of any ethnicity, that reverently fears Him and works uprightness.

Note that Cornelius would have known enough to understand loving God and others.

He is described as devout and God-fearing, i.e. at least, one of those men so numerous in that effete age of decadent heathenism who, discontented with polytheism, yearned for a better faith, embraced, therefore, the monotheism of the Jews, read the Scriptures, and practised more or less of the Jewish rites.

He was well reported of by the Jews, and his religion showed itself in prayer at the regular hours, and in alms to the people (of Israel).

Even Jewish bigotry was dumb in presence of so noble a man.

Moreover, he seems to have made his house a sort of church, for his kinsfolk and friends were in sympathy with him, and among the soldiers who closely attended him were some devout ones (, ).

[G. H. Trever, “Cornelius,” ed.

James Orr et al., The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), 721.]

He is described as devout and God-fearing, i.e. at least, one of those men so numerous in that effete age of decadent heathenism who, discontented with polytheism, yearned for a better faith, embraced, therefore, the monotheism of the Jews, read the Scriptures, and practised more or less of the Jewish rites.

He was well reported of by the Jews, and his religion showed itself in prayer at the regular hours, and in alms to the people (of Israel).

Even Jewish bigotry was dumb in presence of so noble a man.

Moreover, he seems to have made his house a sort of church, for his kinsfolk and friends were in sympathy with him, and among the soldiers who closely attended him were some devout ones (, ).

[G. H. Trever, “Cornelius,” ed.

James Orr et al., The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), 721.]

Transition: We’ve considered briefly how that Peter came to perceive the hand of God bringing specific revelation to the house of Cornelius, now let’s see how:

II.