Peter and Cornelius
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 22 viewsNotes
Transcript
Acts 10
Acts 10
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.”
Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
“No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”
Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.
While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, right away the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there.
While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”
Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”
They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.
The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.
But Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.” While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people. Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So may I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in dazzling clothing stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree. God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God.
Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
Cornelius
Cornelius
What are some things we learn from the first two verses about Cornelius?
What are some things we learn from the first two verses about Cornelius?
Acts 10:1-2
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.
Acts: Verse by Verse The Vision of Cornelius (10:1–8)
Cornelius was a centurion, meaning he commanded a century (officially a hundred, actually eighty men), six of which made up a cohort (here labeled “the Italian cohort”), a tenth of a legion of six thousand men. Judea had become a province in AD 6, but there were no Roman troops stationed there until AD 70, so at that time those there were local auxiliary troops rather than the regular army. The Romans (like Cornelius) were in the provincial capital, Caesarea.
Cornelius’ piety is described in four ways: (1) He and his family (his wife and children shared his commitment) were “devout,” devoted to God and worshipping him regularly. (2) He is a “God-fearer” (see 10:22; 13:16, 26), a Gentile who believed and worshipped Yahweh but was unwilling to (in his case, could not) become fully Jewish by being circumcised. Likely he didn’t follow all the precepts of the Torah either, nor did he regularly attend the synagogue. (3) He “gave generously to those in need”; centurions were well paid, and he shared his largesse with the poor. (4) He prayed regularly; the language here indicates a rich prayer life, not just the expected official prayers but private prayers as well. Cornelius is unusual even for a God-fearer.
I also want to look at the historical relevance of Luke’s writings again. He introduces someone of political and military influence and gives details about him and and his assignment. Those are factual things that can be disputed especially at the time. There is extra biblical evidence of such a regiment or cohort by Josephus…a Jewish historian. Geography and historical accuracy are a hallmark of Lukan writings.
What kind of person do you suppose Cornelius to be based on what we know of him?
What kind of person do you suppose Cornelius to be based on what we know of him?
Looking at the description in the first two verses we see a good man by all accounts. We also see a man of duty and honor. We see a kind man. We could say that he is like a “church going” man. He led his family well. He seems to lead men well. This leads me to the thought that we have that is pervasive in our culture today that says that there are many roads that lead to heaven. most people in the US that go to church believe they are saved. They are like Cornelius. Good men and women doing mostly good things. That is not it though… Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
This is the fact that we need to understand. Especially now because there are many who believe that being good is the means to the end. That is not the case… Cornelius was doing good, praying and serving God but was not saved. God saw his goodness and sought him to give him the rest of the story so he could be saved.
Why do you suppose the angel told him to get Peter to preach the Gospel to him?
Why do you suppose the angel told him to get Peter to preach the Gospel to him?
Acts 10:3-8
About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.”
Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
There is something very interesting happening here. In this account, we see how God is moving in the heart and motives of each of the men here. God is calling one man to faith and specifically calling one man to be His ambassador. God wants to see a transformation in both of these men. We obviously see the need for Cornelius to be saved but we also need to recognize the need for Peter to see the gentiles as “saveable.” God has a good reason for getting Peter there to deliver the good news and it was not just for Cornelius. There was an evangelist in town that could have easily shared the good news… Acts 21:8-9
The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
Peter
Peter
Acts 10:9-16
The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
“No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”
Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.
What are some things we know about Peter?
What are some things we know about Peter?
Luke 5:4-5
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
“Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.”
Matthew 16:21-23
From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.”
Matthew 26:33-35
Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
“Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing.
We see for the first time a glimpse of the old Peter from the pre resurrection days. Peter that was defiant and sometimes did not listen to the Lord. He fell back on what he knew rather than listen to what the Lord was telling him. Peter needed this lesson so that later on he could speak the truth of what God has done for the gentiles to the other Jewish christians that thought like Peter before the vision.
What kind of response does Peter give to the voice? Why?
What kind of response does Peter give to the voice? Why?
Acts 10:14
“No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”
Look at how Cornelius responded Acts 10:4
Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
How can you say no to your Lord? That is a contradiction of terms. If someone is your master and they ask something of you, you say yes. There is no question, but again like the Peter of old…he knew best… He still didn’t understand all that God was showing him. God was not trying to change Peter’s diet. He was trying to change Peter’s mind!
What is the significance of this happening three times?
What is the significance of this happening three times?
John 21:15-19
When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”
“Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”
“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.
He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”
Sometimes it takes us a few times to get the message. We think we know what Jesus is teaching us but we don’t quite get it. I’m still learning things that I probably should know by now… I can relate to Peter.
What is common about the two divine encounters?
What is common about the two divine encounters?
There was something distinct that God needed from both men. God used specific people and uses specific people to accomplish His purposes.