God Saves Gentiles (Part 2)

Introduction

When I was younger, my older brother Tim and I had some friends who lived on the edge of a huge old lava flow. The entire area was volcanic rock. Over the years that they lived out there, we explored far out into the lava beds. Eventually we discovered a fresh spring water pond and, farther out, a cool rock formation we dubbed castlegate. There was only one problem with hiking out there. The problem was that we never seemed to be able to take the same route twice. We would follow parts of the same trail and eventually get off it and end up with walls of manzanita bushes between us and our destination. This forced us to constantly batter our way through these barriers. In order to get where we needed to go, there were barriers that had to be removed.

When I was younger my older brother Tim and I had some friends who lived on the edge of a huge old lava flow. The entire area was volcanic rock. Over the years that they lived out there, we explored far out into the lava beds. Eventually we discovered a fresh spring water pond and, farther out, a cool rock formation we dubbed castlegate. There was only one problem with hiking out there. The problem was that we never seemed to be able to take the same route twice. We would follow parts of the same trail and eventually get off it and end up with walls of manzanita bushes between us and our destination. This forced us to constantly batter our way through these barriers. In order to get where we needed to go, there were barriers that had to be removed.

Life has barriers. There are things between us and where God wants us to be. These barriers must be removed. What we see in Acts chapter 10 is how

God Removes The Barriers To Conversion 10:17-33

Peter has barriers in his Jewish mind. God is breaking them down. God is removing the barriers that are hindering the proclamation of the gospel.

This passage teaches us of two types of barriers that must be removed before the gospel can be proclaimed.

Our challenge today is to remove the barriers to the gospel.

When the barriers are removed, boldly proclaim Jesus Christ.

Peter has just seen this vision of the sheet and the unclean animals. Three times he has been told that what God has cleansed he must not call common or unclean. This proclamation is God’s method of facilitating…

1. The Removal Of Mental Barriers vv. 17-23a

Have you ever had a mental block about something? For me it is usually a name I am trying to remember. The harder I try the worse it gets. Sometimes we can have a mental block about an activity or food or group of people.

Before we can do that activity, eat that food, or fellowship with that group of people, the barrier has to come down.

Peter has a mental barrier that is preventing him from sharing the gospel with Gentiles. Yet in we learned that it s God's plan to include Gentiles. Therefore, Peter’s mental barrier has to go. This is accomplished through two means. First…

a. By the Holy Spirit’s command vv. 17-20

READ v. 17

This is what we call divine timing. Peter is contemplating his vision. And by coincidence, the men sent from Cornelius just happen to show up at Simon’s gate.

READ v. 18

Calling out in a loud voice they ask if Simon Peter is staying there. I know we have mentioned it before, but allow me to once again point out God’s sovereignty here. He used Peter’s healing ministry to bring him to Joppa. He had him stay with a tanner. God is working on Peter’s heart! At the same time God directs Cornelius to send men to Peter.

Folks, the God who orchestrated these events has His sovereign hands on our lives. My life, and your life are being directed by the sovereign hand of Almighty God! We must trust that He has a destination in mind and He is lovingly and carefully moving us toward it.

2. By the men’s arrival vv. 17b-18

READ v.19

Peter is reflecting on the vision when the Spirit speaks to him with a very strange message. 3 men are seeking him. But the Holy Spirit continues speaking and explains why, we’ll look at that in a second.

First, let’s contemplate a question. Is this (HS speaking) normative? No. Why? Peter is an Apostle. Acts is formative. We have the Word.

We don’t need the HS to tell us to help a homeless person, we are told to do good to all men! Especially fellow believers!

READ v. 20

Peter is given four commands.

Arise. This is a practical command. He has to get up.

Go down. This too is practical. He was already planning to go down so he could eat.

Go with them. This is where things start to get problematic. Peter doesn’t know who is down there. He hasn’t been told! How can God command Peter to go with these men when Peter has no idea who they are! But the Spirit isn’t done yet.

Doubting nothing. I picture Peter thinking, “Well, I wasn’t doubting until you said that!”

The fact that the Holy Spirit tells Peter not to doubt indicates that there is reason to doubt!

1. By the Spirit’s explanation v. 19

When difficulties and trials arise, we are going to be tempted to doubt! When life doesn’t go as planned, we doubt. When that promotion doesn’t happen, we doubt. When our friends reject us, we doubt. When our children rebel, we doubt. When our spouse treats us poorly, we doubt.

As fallen, sinful, human beings; doubt comes naturally. However, we are not to walk in the natural man!

Before Peter can start to doubt, the Spirit reveals the purpose behind these commands. God sent these men.

I believe that God would say this same thing about some of the hardest times in our lives. “I sent them”.

2. By the Spirit’s exhortation v. 20

God allows trials, and difficulties into our lives as tools to break down our barriers.

Don’t allow these situations and circumstances to get you down. Why not? Because God has sent them! As long as they are not a product of your own stupidity.

God sends things into our lives to grow us. To remove our barriers. That is what Peter is facing.

There is a second means used by God to break down Peter’s barriers.

b. By an angel’s communication vv. 21-23a

Though this angel did not communicate directly with Peter, it still communicates the will of God to these men.

READ v. 21

Peter demonstrates the change of heart he has undergone since the gospels by immediate obedience. He goes down. We know they are sent by Cornelius, Peter doesn’t, yet. He is confronted by three Gentiles. A soldier and two servants.

To understand the Jewish mindset towards Gentiles, lets jump ahead a little bit in Acts. Turn to .

Acts 22:20–22 NKJV

And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ” And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”

This is how they thought of Gentiles. To do them a kindness was viewed as treachery.

Peter’s question is logical. Why have you come?

Review the day Peter has had. He got up and had a pretty normal morning. Then at lunch time he gets this strange vision of a sheet full of unclean animals and a voice telling him to kill and eat! While he is thinking about that he is told that three men are there, sent by God. I am actually amazed that this is his only question!

READ v. 22

In this one verse Peter is given all the pertinent info about Cornelius. He is a centurion. A just man. He fears God. He is respected by the Jews. He was instructed by an angel to summon Peter and listen to him.

We were also given a description of Cornelius in v. 2. This description differs slightly.

i. Communication investigated v. 21

ii. Communication introduced v. 22

In v. 2 he is called “devout” here he is called “just”. “Just” means righteous. Cornelius obeys the law. Both descriptions say that he fears God. He has a reverence, an awe of God. V. 2 says he gave alms and prayed always. Here he is said to have a good reputation by all the nation of the Jews. This is a huge statement! For a Gentile to have a good reputation is a big deal. Literally this speaks of having a good witness. If any of the Jews who knew Cornelius were called as character witnesses, they would give him a glowing report. For Jews to do that for a Gentile is unprecedented.

I picture Peter just taking this all in with a shocked expression on his face. These men continue by stating that Cornelius was commanded by an angel to summon Peter. “Summon” is the idea of commanding to come. Peter is being commanded to come so that he might deliver a message to them. That is what “hear words from you” means.

Words – ῥῆμα (rhēma) word; saying; statement. Message ⇔ word n. — a unified message understood as if a singular word. Noun (direct object), accusative, plural, neuter.

Words – ῥῆμα (rhēma)

Peter now knows who they are and why they have come. He has a decision to make. Will he believe them and go, or not. Will he submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit who has already told him to go with them, or not.

This is the same decision we face when God directs us. He doesn’t do it through a direct voice, but through His Word. What will we choose?

Bear in mind, for Peter, what he has been told to do breaks with custom and socially acceptable behavior. When God calls us to be “weird”, to break social norms, to go against the flow of our culture; what will we do?

Peter invites them in.

READ v. 23a

This is a major deal! Peter commits two social crimes here. 1 - He invites them in. 2 - He has them stay with him.

In the eyes of his fellow Jews, Peter is pushing it just to stay with a tanner. Now he is hanging out with Gentiles!

What does this tell us? Peter has had a change of heart.

The barriers that society and culture have placed in his mind have been broken! He is willing to bring these men in as guests and lodge them. Why? Because this is the command and heart of God.

The Gospel message is not exclusive. It isn’t for one ethnicity, social group, or skin color.

The gospel is not limited by our petty human prejudice!

Look at (S).

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Not willing that any should perish!

We may have mental barriers. They must be removed. No one is outside the grace of God.

With the mental barriers removed, God goes to work on…

2. The Removal Of Cultural Barriers vv. 23b-33

Right now in our country there is a lot of talk about racism. When you look at the history of our country, there are definitely some moments that we are not proud of. Even after slavery was abolished, there were cultural barriers. People with a different amount of melanin in their skin, separated by prejudice and hate.

The gospel has the power to transform hatred. The gospel has the ability to reconcile men to God and to one another.

At the very beginning of Acts God stated that His plan is to have the gospel go out to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the world. What His disciples may not have understood at the time was that He meant to all the people in those places, not just the Jews.

This chapter marks the transition. From a Jewish centered gospel, to a gospel for all people.

We must remove whatever barriers prevent us from preaching Christ to everyone.

As we look at the next few verses we see three steps Peter takes as this cultural barrier is removed. The first step is…

a. Crossing the barrier vv. 23b-26

READ v. 23

From a first-century Jewish perspective, Peter has gone from bad to worse. Bad to be under the same roof as a Gentile, worse to travel with them. Bad to do this yourself, worse to bring others into it. From the perspective of his peers, Peter has bad companions.

No one wants their peers to think poorly of them. Peter is no different. However, he has a command that trumps that desire! We are no different. We don’t want our peers to think poorly of us. But we have a command from God! We have been called to preach the gospel to every single person. We have been called to standards of morality and purity that are not popular in our culture. Will we obey God? Or seek the approval of men? When tempted to please men, contemplate Paul’s words in (S).

Galatians 1:10 NKJV

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

It is impossible to live for the approval of men and please Christ at the same time.

There is another lesson here. Men from Joppa accompany Peter. If Peter was not being led of the Lord, he would be leading these men into sin and error! People are following you, be sure you lead them towards Christ.

READ v. 24

The spend one night together on the road, arriving in Caesarea the next day.

Cornelius us waiting.

Waiting – προσδοκάω (prosdokaō) wait for; look for; expect. To await anxiously v. — to look forward to the occurrence of something with trepidation or anxiety. To await anxiously v. — to look forward to the occurrence of something with trepidation or anxiety. Verb, present, active, periphrastic participle, singular, nominative, masculine.

Waiting – προσδοκάω (prosdokaō)

I picture Cornelius pacing the rooftop waiting for their arrival.

He called his relatives, those related by blood or marriage, and his close friends. Close literally means necessary. All the people important to Cornelius have been gathered to hear this message.

I love the reflection of his heart here. Cornelius has been told by God to send for Peter who will “tell him what he needs to do”. His concern is that everyone important to him hear it too. Cornelius has a heart for his family and friends. Do we?

READ v. 25

Close = lit. necessary.

i. Bad companions vv. 23b-24

1. Companions on the road v. 23b

Cornelius doesn’t know who Peter is. He may be thinking that Peter is an angel or even God Himself. All he knows is that this person in front of him has the answers he so desperately desires.

2. Companions at the residence v. 24

Peter could have viewed this as an opportunity to point out how stupid Gentiles are. Or to criticize Cornelius worshipping a mere man. But he doesn’t.

READ v. 26

Instead of criticism, Peter gently corrects. More than that, Peter touches a Gentiles!

Peter has crossed the barrier. He has been under the same roof as Gentiles, traveled with them, and now is touching one of them.

1. Company to criticize v. 25

What Peter says here is very significant. Why? Because he acknowledges Cornelius as a man like him. The Jews called Gentiles dogs! They were viewed as less than human! Peter is getting it! They are both just men, directed by a sovereign God.

This brings up an interesting point. If Peter was 1st Pope (& he wasn’t) shouldn’t the current Pope act like this?

This is what we all are. The color of our skin doesn’t matter. Our cultural heritage doesn’t matter. Our social status. Our economic stature. Our political views. None of these things change the reality. We are all human beings in desperate need of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

This is what we all are. The color of our skin doesn’t matter. Our cultural heritage doesn’t matter. Our social status. Our economic stature. Our political views. None of these things change the reality that we are all human beings in desperate need of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

2. Company to correct v. 26

Cultural barriers need to be crossed that we might communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Peter has crossed the cultural barrier. That is the first step.

The second step is…

b. Communicating the barrier vv. 27-29

No one is benefitted by pretending a barrier doesn’t exist. Acknowledge it, explain God’s perspective, move on. That is what Peter does here.

READ v. 27

If you saw a friend about to casually stroll into a building that was on fire, would you pull them back? That’s kind of how first century Jews felt about going into the home of a Gentile. Yet here Peter is, strolling inside with Cornelius.

When they get inside Peter finds that many people have gathered. This word “many” describes a multitude. This is a large gathering!

Peter has defied social norms, customs, and Rabbinical law. He has done what “normal” Jews would never do. He feels that an explanation is in order.

READ v. 28

We need to spend some time unpacking this verse because there is a lot here.

This is Peter’s opening statement to those gathered. Why?

Look at what he says. They all know it is unlawful for a Jewish man to have anything to do with Gentiles!

The first word we need to unpack is this word “unlawful”.

Unlawful – ἀθέμιτος (athemitos) not allowed; forbidden. Prohibited adjs. — contrary to accepted morality or convention. Predicate adjective, nominative, singular, neuter.

Unlawful – ἀθέμιτος (athemitos)

What Peter has done is specifically prohibited as well as being considered immoral and not something a “good Jew” would be involved in.

What is it that is forbidden? 2 things. First - to keep company with.

Keep company – κολλάω (kollaō) join; unite. To attach oneself v. — to establish a relationship with someone. Verb, present, passive, substantival infinitive.

Keep company – κολλάω (kollaō)

A Jew was forbidden to establish any kind of relationship with a Gentile.

Secondly - go to.

Go to – προσέρχομαι (proserchomai) come; come up; approach. To approach v. — to move towards or near. Verb, present, either middle or passive, substantival infinitive.

Go to – προσέρχομαι (proserchomai)

A Jew was not even supposed to be near a Gentile! Peter had touched one! Peter is breaking all the rules! He better have a good reason, right?

Peter says, “You all know we aren’t supposed to get to know you, in fact, we aren’t even supposed to be near you.”

Meanings

“You all know we aren’t supposed to get to know you, in fact, we aren’t even supposed to be near you.

BUT GOD

This is where the rubber meets the road. There are things that our culture has said. Our culture moment this morning was about a law passed in CA prohibiting the sale of books that present a Biblical perspective on homosexuality and transgenderism. BUT GOD. God has told us to preach and teach the whole council of God! That means we have no choice but to present the Biblical perspective. Lovingly, carefully, and graciously; but without compromise or shame.

Peter says, this is what the law says. But I answer to a someone who is above law! God has said that no man is common or unclean.

Here we finally get to the application of what God showed Peter with the sheet and animals.

We talked about common and unclean last week. But we need to hit the meanings again because they are so important.

Common = ordinary. Not set apart.

Unclean = corrupted. Ritually unclean.

What God has revealed to Peter is that the cultural customs of his people are wrong! Referring to people as common or unclean is wrong!

This isn’t about food! It is about the eternal souls of men and women.

ii. The description vv. 28-29

Peter finally gets it!

READ v. 29

Because of what God had said, because of the object lesson, Peter went without hesitation. He didn’t raise even a hint of protest.

But he has a question. “What am I doing here?”

Personally, I think “reason” is a bad translation here. In v. 22 the men who came for Peter tell him that they were to hear “words” from him. This is the Greek word Rehma, meaning message. Peter is to give a message. Here, what he is asking is what message is supposed to be given.

Reason – λόγος (logos) word; message. Narrative account n. — a record or narrative description of past events; especially for the determination of accountability. Noun, dative of reference, singular, masculine.

Reason – λόγος (logos)

2. Inquiry v. 29

Peter wants to know what message they are expecting.

Peter crossed the barrier by coming, he has now communicated about what the barrier is and why it no longer applies. This leaves us with the final step.

The third step is…

c. Crushing the barrier vv. 30-33

Once we know there is a barrier, and we know what it is, we need to crush it.

READ vv. 30-32

Here we learn a new piece of information about Cornelius. When Cornelius had the vision, he was fasting. This shines even more light on his character. What he has displayed is described by Jesus in , (pp. 1116-1117).

, (pp. 1116-1117)

Matthew 6:1–8 NKJV

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Matthew 6:16–18 NKJV

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

This is Cornelius! He was a better “Jew” than some of their religious leaders!

Cornelius recounts his experience for Petter. This is almost word for word. The only variation is on the end. In v. 6 the angel said that Peter would tell Cornelius “what he must do”. Here Cornelius says Peter would “speak to you”. Some manuscript difference here as well. No major differences.

Peter needs to hear what was said to Cornelius. This will give him an open door to preach the message God has called him to preach.

READ v. 33

2. Communicating presence v. 31

Having recounted the angel’s message, Cornelius explains his actions. He sent for Peter immediately.

There is no benefit in delaying obedience when God commands.

I love that Cornelius commends Peter for coming. “Well” is the idea of rightly or correctly. He’s saying, “Peter, you did the right thing.”

3. Commanding presence v. 32

God brought them all together. Now it is time for Peter to preach the message. As Peter preaches, Cornelius and those present will hear.

“Hear” is an active verb. The sense is to hear with intention.

This isn’t a passive thing where they sit back and let Peter talk. This word implies an edge-of-the-seat eagerness. This is leg bouncing, fidgeting energy just waiting for direction. All they need is for Peter to tell them what to do.

I love this commitment to hear and act instead of just passively allowing sound to enter the ear canal.

Are we commited to putting the truth we hear into practice?

Conclusion

There are barriers to the gospel.

Those barriers need to be identified and demolished.

For Cornelius, the barrier was a need to hear the clear Gospel message.

To destroy this barrier God prepared Peter to come and preach the gospel. But first…

For Peter, the barrier was a hatred of Gentiles.

To remove this barrier God demonstrated that no one He cleanses is common or unclean.

Peter obeys the Lord. He shows up in Caesarea and meets Cornelius.

Peter finally understands that the gospel is for everyone!

Do we have this understanding?

My prayer, aim, and desire today is that God would awaken us to the urgency of preaching the gospel to everyone.

That friend, that relative, that co-worker; they may not be around tomorrow.

Whatever barrier prevents you and I from sharing the gospel, remove it.

When the barrier is removed, may we faithfully and boldly preach Christ.

“By Faith” verse 3

Acts 10:17–33 NKJV

Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”