Acts - The Conversion of Cornelius

The Importance of This Chapter....

Though, undoubtedly, Gentiles had believed in Jesus Christ before this point in the book of Acts [e.g. the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26ff] this particular Gentile is highlighted by the author of Acts.This seems to mark a turning point in the entire book from which Gentiles will become the focus of the book. The Assembly in Jerusalem also seemed to recognize the importance of this event [Cf Acts 11:18, 15:6-9, 12-21].

Further, this event fulfills the words of Jesus Christ to Peter when He said....

Matthew 16:18–19 (NKJV)

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Peter “opened the door” to

the nation of Israel (Acts 2:14ff)

Samaria (Acts 8:14-17)

the Gentiles (Acts 10)

This chapter records the “opening of the door of faith” to the GENTILES.

Jesus, also, had prophesied....

Matthew 21:42–44 (NKJV)

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing,

And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

The “nation bearing the fruits of it” = the ASSEMBLY consisting of both Jews and Gentiles. [The word ἔθνος ethnos here translated nation is also the main word for Gentiles.]

The KINGDOM OF GOD was now being given to the GENTILES.

Generally speaking, the Jews despised the Gentiles and - from this point on in Acts - will generally despise the fact that Gentiles were turning to God…and that God was mightily working with and among them. In Acts 14:27 we read of another “opening the door of faith to the Gentiles” which happened under the ministry of the Apostle Paul [the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13)].

God Had Prepared Cornelius....

It is recorded about Cornelius...

Acts 10:1–2 (NKJV)

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

But he was NOT SAVED =had not BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST [Acts 11:13-14].

It is recorded....

Acts 10:3–6 (NKJV)

3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”

So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”

God Needed to Prepare Peter....

Peter, however, did not have a mentality to approach a Gentile....and Jesus needed to change his mind. It is recorded...

Acts 10:9–16 (NKJV)

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Jesus speaks to Peter....

And the HOLY SPIRIT instructs Peter also....

Acts 10:19–20 (NKJV)

19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

And the Holy Spirit speaks to him....

Peter speaks to Cornelius and his relatives and friends.

When Peter arrives in Caesarea a number of people were waiting for him.....

Acts 10:24–26 (NKJV)

24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”

Then - after Peter and Cornelius had spoken briefly - Peter proclaims Jesus Christ to those who were gathered there. He says...

Acts 10:34–43 (NKJV)

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Peter mentions....

FAITH in JESUS CHRIST

Jesus’ RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD

All people will be JUDGED in the future by Jesus Christ

This fits what the Holy Spirit is wanting to convict people of - as Jesus reveals in John 16:7-11....

John 16:7–11 (NKJV)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

This is what we should seek to emphasize as we share the Gospel.

His message was of JESUS CHRIST and SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and JUDGMENT.

The Gentiles believe - and receive the Holy Spirit - and are baptized.

We read...

Acts 10:44–48 (NKJV)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

This is the order in which we today experience...

BELIEVE

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

BAPTIZED

[This also fulfills what Jesus Christ had said in Matt 16:19 and John 20:23. There were distinct differences between Jerusalem (Acts 2:38), Samaria (Acts 8:14-17) and Caesarea (Acts 10:44-48).]