Gospel to Gentiles
Witness to the world - Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 47:23
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Our characters, our setting
Our characters, our setting
God’s way, God’s timing, God’s instruments all work for God’s good and for our good in turn. Tonight we continue to look at the set up and the conversion of Cornelius.
Place: Caesarea, Joppa, Joppa to Caesarea
Cornelius is located in Caesarea, Peter is located in Joppa, and There is the journey from Caesarea to Joppa and then Peter from Joppa to Caesarea
Characters: Cornelius, Angel of God, household servants, soldier (Ref to Act10:3-6)
Cornelius a devout, God fearing Centurion, who had a generous heart and prayed continually has a vision as of an angel of God.
(BELOW SCRIPTURES ARE NOT ON A SLIDE)
3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 “Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter;
6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.”
Character: Peter, a voice from heaven
Peter in a time of peace, growth (Act9:31) travels and had two miracles happen, one in Lydda, the other in Joppa and that is where Peter has a vision, when waiting for a meal to be prepared.
We will get into the vision again when we get to our passage tonight. So won’t go into that again right now.
(Transition) So now where we are is that Peter had invited in the servants and the solider to lodge with him, and on the next day Peter, and some brethren from Joppa head out for Caesarea.
Peter arrives at Caesarea
Peter arrives at Caesarea
The journey from Joppa to Caesarea (33 miles) was a day journey and now Peter arrives there and a great series of events will start to unfold.
24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Question: What was Cornelius doing, had done (v.24)?
Cornelius was waiting for Peter, and he got his relatives and close friends there too.
Question: this one is not on your sheet, but in looking at (v.24) and what Peter was doing and had done what can we assume, gather from that?
Cornelius believed, had faith that the vision, interaction with the angel would hold true and Peter was coming.
Peter was coming with instructions on “what must do” (v.6)
He believed whatever the message, the instructions were it was important so called those closest to him.
Question: So what can we learn from this?
Belief, faith calls for an action, be ready to act on your faith
You have something important, be ready and inviting to share it with those closest to you.
Cornelius met Peter at the door, for without a doubt he knows that a Jew will not enter the home of a Gentile then look what he did.
Cornelius fell down at Peter’ s feet and worshipped him (v.25)
Peter lifted him up, and tells him “I myself am a man.” (v.26)
This is further proof that it is not about Peter, this is about Jesus, He is the only one worthy of worship.
(Transition) now is the time for some retelling, reassuring of the message and the significance of it.
Peter enters Cornelius house
Peter enters Cornelius house
From the outside to the inside, physically to bring the outside to the inside (spiritually) It started with a step in a new direction.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 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.
29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Peter speaks of Jewish custom that it is unlawful for one to keep company of someone of another nation (people, other than Jews). (v.28)
Question: what does Peter say was shown to him (v.28)?
Do not call any man unholy or unclean.
Vision retold - Cornelius
Vision retold - Cornelius
A story, vision, worth repeating. We have seen the vision (Act10:1-8) now we will see it from Cornelius perspective.
30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments,
31 and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 ‘Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’
33 “So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Cornelius was praying when the had the visitation (v.30)
Cornelius describes the visitor (v.30)
Cornelius listens to the words of the visitor (v.31-32)
Cornelius believes and takes actions (v.33)
Cornelius has faith, expectation that Peter has a word from God, a commandment that he is to hear (v.33)
(Transition) Oftentimes belief requires action, it is good to believe but you may not receive unless you take action. Remember, Cornelius is a devout man, generous, paying man (v.2) but yet he was not saved, was he? He was religious but not a Jew, he was religious but not a Christian, can people be close to salvation and not yet be saved?
Peter presents the gospel
Peter presents the gospel
Peter now presents the heart of the gospel to the Cornelius, and all who were there with him.
34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.
Question: What did Peter come to certainly understanding (v.34-35)
God shows no partiality
All who fear and do what is right are welcome to Him
(Transition): now he goes on to tell a history lesson on Jesus, and the heart of the gospel.
36 “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed.
Question: How was peace to be received (v.36)? And why?
Jesus, he is peace, brings peace and we have peace through Him
Peter is telling them Jesus is the Lord of all. Which means “all” not just the Jews
Could you imaging the hope that would give to Cornelius who was a devout, generous praying man who was not saved?
37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Notice in these verses the ter “you yourselves know and you know” meaning that even out in Caesarea they had heard of Jesus, wonder how? Was it Philip, others? Hum, but the word travelled out.
I think there are a couple of things that we need to pull from these verses.
Question: Where did everything start, when did it start (v.37)?
Started in Galilee, after baptism that John proclaimed.
Side note, do you remember the baptism that John presented? What was the purpose for it?
how about this scripture
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Question: What did God do to Jesus, why, what were the results (v.38)?
He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power; power to heal and in doing good, demonstrating that God was with Him.
(Transition) Now offers up the historical facts and evidence of the gospel
39 “We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 “God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 “And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.
Peter proclaims the witnesses to what Jesus did (v.39)
Peter proclaimed what happened to Jesus (v.39)
death by hanging on the cross
God lifting Him up on the 3rd day; was seen by many, not all but the chosen
Peter proclaimed the authority/appointment (ordination in NKJV) given
Made judge of the living and the dead
Then comes the heart of the gospel, all in one verse.
43 “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Question: What did the prophets bear witness of?
They bore witness of Him
Question: What was the promise given, and to whom is it given?
Forgiveness of sins promised
Promised to those who believe in His name,
Promised to all, to everyone who believes!
(Transition): In nothing short that what happened on Pentecost in Jerusalem now is about to happen in Caesarea and will have the same results, salvation!
Holy Spirit and Baptism
Holy Spirit and Baptism
Powerful preaching brings about power and obedience.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”
48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
It is good for us to see, learn from the scripture.
Question: what happened when Peter was still speaking (v.44)?
On Pentecost while they were all together, suddenly there came a sound (Act2:1) and just a few verses later we know it was the Holy Spirit (Act2:4)
While Peter is still talking the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Did it say came into, or fell upon? there is no salvation at this point, just as on Pentecost there was no salvation yet either was there?
Question: What did those of the circumcision notice (v.45-46)?
Just like Pentecost the Spirit was seen and heard.
They were speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
Like on Pentecost people were astonished (amazed, marveled).
All this let to Peter’s statement in (v.47)
47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”
Question: In looking at (v.47) who can you draw a conclusion that Peter is talking to now?
Just like Pentecost baptism is brought into the picture, Peter is reminding the circumcised what they did, the Gentiles need to do also and that leads to the command.
48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Question: What was the command given (v.48)?
They were ordered/commanded to be baptized, baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
If they were to receive just as the Jews did, it was by baptism, baptism for the forgiveness of sins and for the gift of the Holy Spirit. From the upon to the in!
Points to consider from Act10 and the conversion of Cornelius all all who heard.
Religious people need saving too!
Going to church does not save you
Good works does not save you
Living a moral life does not save you.
Jesus saves! There is no other way (Jn14:6; Act4:12)
Gospel is for all people
God is not the God of partiality, His desire is all to be saved (1Tim2:4). All to come to repentance (2Pt3:9)
It does not matter where you are, who you are, what you have done, no one is outside of where God can reach (Isa59:1)
Gospel culminates, points to baptism for remission of sins
It starts with hearing so you can believe (Act10:42-43)
It ends with baptism (Act10:47-48; Act2:38)
There will be more to follow on this when we get into Chapter 11:1-11 where we will be next week.
(Prayer) (Exit)