Cornelius And Peter

Acts 10:3

New Century Version (Chapter 10)

3 One afternoon about three o’clock, Cornelius clearly saw a vision. An angel of God came to him and said, “Cornelius!”4 Cornelius stared at the angel. He became afraid and said, “What do you want, Lord?”The angel said, “God has heard your prayers. He has seen that you give to the poor, and he remembers you. 5 Send some men now to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is also called Peter

To begin with Brothers and sisters, Christian Friends, Well Wishers and Saints of God, as we glint, gleam and gaze at this glorious text we find some interesting parallelism to what we might see in our world in 2021.

This is an interesting story with real life applications. The text starts off saying at at Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was the first gentile to become a convert to Christianity . Cornelius see a vision.

The word vision in the Greek is the word Horama which means it was a spectacle to behold it was like a private movie just for you. The Angel comes and God’s messenger speaks to Cornelius. Cornelius is a Roman centurion whose in the Italian cohort . Centurion means that Cornelius is in charge of at least 100 soldiers. He lives in Caesarea, he is a God-fearing man, and he is a devout believer. In a vision God’s messenger instructs Commander Cornelius to invite Peter to his home.

Cornelius doesn’t really know Peter and Peter surely doesn’t know Cornelius. But Cornelius responds to the Vision by sending a delegation to Joppa to find and invite Peter to his home .

Listen brothers and sisters when God sees us doing the will of God, God will make provisions to elevate us to the next level. The angel in the vision said Cornelius I’ve heard your prayers and, I’ve seen your dedication for helping people. And God has noticed how you worship Israel’s True and Living God.

The Angel said go find Peter! He’s is my chief Apostle and he will gladly hear and do what is necessary. In other words God is saying in essence I’ve been working on him and he’s ready to make some changes Look at verses 5-8

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

The bible says that Cornelius rehearsed the story with his trusted servants that waited on him night and day and immediately sent a convoy to find Peter in the seaport town of Joppa.

Joppa was some kind of town. Joppa was the seaport town for Jerusalem. Joppa was the only seaport town that could provide shelter between Egypt and Mt. Carmel. The demographics of the town was that it had Jews and Gentiles and a mixture of different kinds of people. And Joppa was the seaport town brought in commercial goods from all over the known ancient world.

And Peter the chief apostle was lodging there with Simon the tanner. Simon Peter as he is often times called was very very popular in Joppa. Because in Act 9 we find that there was a devout believer named Dorcas that got sick and died. The saints called for Peter and Peter kneel down by Dorcas’ bedside and prayed her back to life. And the bible says many were converted to the Christian Faith.

And now Cornelius has sent an entourage of important men to go and find Simon Peter. The next thing I’d like to share about the text is that when God speaks to one person He often times speaks to the other person too.

Meanwhile the bible says in verse 9 that Peter went up to the roof top to pray. It was a flat roof top and it gave Peter some privacy to be alone and get in the presence of God. We need to get alone and meditate on the goodness of God , and to get petition the throne of grace, and pray to God.

Because prayer changes things changes conditions and prayer changes circumstances. Peter prayed and his whole situation changed. And the bible says in verse 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.

Have you ever prayed so hard until you just fell into a trance? Listen if you spend time with God whether in the word or prayed or meditation or supplication or praise, you can get so worked up until you’re in the very presence of an Awesome God. It will make you go into a Holy Ghost trance.

Mind you now Peter was hungry before he fell into a trance.. And God uses peter physical weaknesses to make a point.

In the trance 11 tells us “Peter saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a big sheet being lowered to earth by its four corners.

12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to Peter, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 But Peter said, “No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean.” Peter saw a great site. God opened up heaven and provided a wide variety of species of animals birds reptiles for Peter to eat.

Peter is hungry!!!! but Peter is stuck.

1. Stuck in the tradition.

2.Stuck in the orthodoxy of religion and .

3.Stuck in Pride and prejudices. Peter is so blinded by his own pre -suppositions until he doesn’t realize that he’s telling God No.

14 But Peter said, “No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean.”

Wait a minute Peter! This is not your boys talking, it’s not your dawg talking, it’s not your ace boom coon in the whole talking “It’s God talking. Peter!” Come on man, It’s God talking to you!!!!

We can’t come before an Omnipotent God, Omniscient God, and an Omnipresent God like he’s one of the fellows. God had to put Peter in his place!!!

Look what God tells him in verse

15 But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things clean, so don’t call them unholy!” 16 This happened three times, and at once the sheet was taken back to heaven.

God had to put Peter in his place. God had to give Peter a Communication Miracle. And in 2021 I can hear God saying a pandemic has happened and Shiloh you ought to be glad all kinds of different people want to come to our church. And if have good common sense we better be in the business of accepting folk that may not look like us.

That’s what this message is all about....It’s about Acceptance.

African Americans, Native Americans, Latin Americans, Asian Americans, and other minorities, all want to be accepted as equal in this great nation. And this message is universal in it’s appeal.

This scripture demands us to look beyond our limited thinking and embrace a world wide view. And trust me the more inclusive you are, the more diversified our church will become.

Why Rev Allen? Because church as we knew it has changed. And if we don’t readjust realign and redirect our approach to ministry we are going to be in for a rude awakening. Open your eyes wider church.

Look at the text, God opened Peter’s eyes

15 But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things clean, so don’t call them unholy!” 16 This happened three times, and at once the sheet was taken back to heaven.

I see a few things here.

It happened three times because

1. Peter was known to be hard headed.

2. It was a confirmation in the spirit realm three times one for the Father One for the Son and one for the Holy Ghost.

3. And Peter just in case you don’t think this is really happening to you… it is happening because I’m sending three men to you.

And the text says in verse 17 that right about this time

17 While Peter was wondering what this vision meant, the men Cornelius sent had found Simon’s house and were standing at the gate. 18 They asked, “Is Simon Peter staying here?”

“Knock knock knock” . Is Simon Peter here? Does he lodge here? Are we in the right place? because we have an urgent message and request from Cornelius our commanding officer.

The Holy Spirit tell Peter get up and go downstairs because there are three men here to see you. Go with them without question without doubt or apprehension Because I have sent them to you. “Peter goes downstairs.”

21 So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. Why did you come here?” 22 They said, “A holy angel spoke to Cornelius, an army officer and a good man; he worships God. All the people respect him. The angel told Cornelius to ask you to come to his house so that he can hear what you have to say.”

We have come because we are on assignment.

In other words we come to take you back with us so Commander Cornelius can hear what you have to say.

When you’re on assignment stick to the point.

Peter said come on in gentlemen take a load off your feet and rest your bodies, we’ll leave first thing in the morning.

The bible says the next day Peter and some of the followers from Joppa went with him. Peter followers didn’t let their pastor go by himself with these strange men, no matter how good they talk. 24 On the following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

Everybody is at the house.

Everybody is eagerly waiting for Peter.

Everybody have great respect for Peter. But! Everybody falls down and began to worship Peter. God doesn’t like sharing His glory that’s due Him, and Peter knows that.

And Peter says Hey Hey hey stop that stand -up!!!

I am a human just like you’ll. Maybe I have a message that you don’t have but I too need to worship God. I too need to have His grace and His mercy.I too need God lovingkindness bestowed upon my life, so don’t worship me.

The next part of the text gets to the point quick. Look at the text in verse 27 As he talked with Cornelius, Peter went inside where he saw many people gathered. 28 He said, “You people understand that it is against our law for Jewish people to associate with or visit anyone who is not Jewish. But God has shown me that I should not call any person ‘unholy’ or ‘unclean.

Peter says in essence let’s get rid of our prejudices our biases our made up fake barriers, out superficial self worth and realize that we are all God’s children. We are all God’s Children. if God could save Peter no good cussing fussing and fighting self, then surely God could save Cornelius and his family.

Part II It All About Acceptance

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

To begin with In 2021 there are a plethora of plum pleasing facts that make us realize that we’ve got to be more inclusive.

I’ve put myself in those people’s shoes, and I concluded that If God could save a degenerate, delinquent like me, God can save you too.

In essence Peter said in verse 29 I did not argue when I was asked to come here. But Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”

Peter doesn’t really know why Cornelius has sent for him. Cornelius doesn’t really know why God told him to send for Peter, But they both know whatever it is that God is doing it involves the two of them.

Some things some of us are trying to get away from but God ain’t going to leave until you get that situation right.

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was praying in my house at this same time—three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, there was a man standing before me wearing shining clothes. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and has seen that you give to the poor and remembers you. 32 So send some men to Joppa and ask Simon Peter to come. Peter is staying in the house of a man, also named Simon, who is a tanner and has a house beside the sea. 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was very good of you to come. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Brothers and sister, when your motives are pure , when your motives are honest and just you can frankly tell the truth and that will be enough. Just tell me the truth. I can handle the truth. But it’s those lies and schemes and scams and cooked dealings with evil deeds and wicked plots that upset me. Cornelius just told the truth.

He didn’t have to make nothing up, because changing the narrative might have changed the outcome.Look at how Peter responds

34 Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that to God every person is the same. 35 In every country God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right.

The point of the Whole message is

God is no respecter of persons. God loves all of us.

I might not do things like you and you might not do things like me but God loves us one and all especially if we are thinking right doing right living right acing right and loving right.

As I studied God’s word concerning Acts 10:34-48 I was moved by

1.Pastor Peter’s sermon

2. By the witnesses response to Peter’s sermonic presentation of the Gospel.

3. I was impressed by the movement of the Holy Ghost

Let’s analyze Peter’s sermon

34 Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that to God every person is the same.

Brothers and sisters God is no respecter of persons. And it behooves us to pay attention to the very fact. In America the dominant race is having trouble allowing everybody to have an equal opportunity to vote, to govern, to advance economically educationally, culturally,and as viable intelligentsia in America. They are saying in essence we don’t want any more smart Negros running things here in our America. But Peter God says feels differently about that situation.

35 In every country God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right.

God accepts anybody who is on His team who praises and worships Him and who are committed to doing what is right. Ask your neighbor are you going to do right?

36 You know the message that God has sent to the people of Israel is the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of all people!

Pastor peter Preached the Gospel. If any thing in will save this mean cruel old world it’s going to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

37 You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after John preached to the people about baptism.

When we speak about John the Baptist you’ll have to say there was a voice crying out in the wilderness. Make straight make ready the path for the Holy One, who shoes I’m not worthy to tie or untie. For behold he is the Lamb of God. His name is jesus the Christ the Messiah. Jesus said there was none that has come that was greater than John the Baptist. John was Reverend Zachariah and Elizabeth’s son. John was the baby that leaped in his mother Elizabeth’s womb when Mother Mary who was also pregnant with Jesus came and Elizabeth and baby John the Baptist received the Holy Ghost

38 You know about Jesus from Nazareth, that God gave him the Holy Spirit and power. You know how Jesus went everywhere doing good and healing those who were ruled by the devil, because God was with him.

Pastor Peter preached Jesus. and when you preach Jesus souls can be saved sin sick souls an be set free, the physically ill lamed and maimed and deaf and blind and halted, they all can be healed. When you preach Jesus everything will be alright. Why is that Pastor ? here’s why , because there is Power in the Name of Jesus. And Pastor Peter is preaching in the strong name, the powerful name, and in the mighty name of Jesus.

39 We saw what Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem, but the Jews in Jerusalem killed him by hanging him on a cross.

Brothers and sisters no matter how good Jesus was He had enemies. Despite what He gave the Jews hang Him on the cross. Jesus gave gave and gave. He gave sight to blind, He gave food to the hungry, He gave comfort to the widow of naim, He gave relieve to the woman with the issue of blood.

Jesus gave His hands to the nails, feet to the spikes, His head to the thorny crown, and His side to the Roman spear. He gave His garment to the gamblers, His mother to John, On the cross He gave us forgiveness for mankind’s sins and He gave His Spirit to His Father up in heaven.

Do I have a witness?

40 Yet, on the third day, God raised Jesus to life and caused him to be seen,

And this is where Pastor Peter if he was in a black baptist church would have said, Early Sunday Morning Jesus got up from a dusty grave with All Power in His hands.

41 not by all the people, but only by the witnesses God had already chosen. And we are those witnesses who ate and drank with him after he was raised from the dead.

Pastor Peter said I remember the occasion where we had been fishing all night and Jesus and told us to cast our net on the right side of the boat and when we did we caught 153 different kinds of fish and when we came to the landing Jesus had cooked fish and we ate fish and bread for breakfast.

42 He told us to preach to the people and to tell them that he is the one whom God chose to be the judge of the living and the dead.

Brothers and sisters Jesus is the Righteous Judge and Pastor peter said the last thing He told us to do is found in scripture in

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

43 All the prophets say it is true that all who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through Jesus’ name.”

Well I must close but tah All of scripture talks about Jesus as the Messiah and Savior of mankind Jesus is the Monogenes which means Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man at the same time Jesus is a One of a kind, unique,Son. Jesus is definitely the Only begotten Son of the Father and this is called the Homoousios Formula.

Because

In Genesis He’s the seed of a woman

In Exodus He’s the Passover Lamb

In Leviticus Jesus is the High priest

In Deuteronomy Jesus is the True prophet

In Numbers Jesus is the Shekinah Glory

In Joshua Jesus is the Conquering Yeshua

In Judges Jesus is the Delivering Judge

In Ruth Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer

In Samuel, Chronicles, and Kings Jesus is the Promised King

In Ezra and Nehemiah Jesus is Our Restorer

In Job Jesus is Our Redeemer

In Psalms Jesus is Our Book of Songs and Hymns

In Proverbs Jesus is Our Wisdom

In Ecclesiastes Jesus is the Lover of Our Souls

In Isaiah Jesus is the Bridegroom

In Jeremiah Jesus is just like Fire!!! Shut up in my bones

In Ezekiel Jesus is the Wheel in the Middle of the Wheel

In Daniel Jesus is the Fourth man in the Furnace

In Hosea Jesus is the True Husbandman

In Joel Jesus says I’ll Pour out My Spirit on all Flesh

Oh Lord

In Habakkuk Jesus says to Write the Vision and to make it Plain

In Matthew He’s the King

In Mark He’s the Servant

In Luke He’s the Son of Man

In John He’s the Son of God

Oh Lord

In Acts He’s the Risen Savior

In the Epistles Jesus is sitting on the Right Hand of God Making Intercession for you and I

Ain’t God Alright

but that’s not all, because

In Revelation Jesus Is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End, He’s the First and the Last

And Jesus is on His way back for A CHURCH with out spot or wrinkle. Will you he ready when He calls your name?

I’ve got to close here but the bible says in verse 44

44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening.

They caught the Holy Ghost yeah yeah yeah!!!!

45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been given even to the nations.

What God did for one He’s Able to do for another

Tell your neighbor: “He’s Able”

46 These believers heard them speaking in different languages and praising God. Then Peter said,

It ought to be some praisers in here…

47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we did!”

48 So Peter ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

God can Bless who he wants when He wants How He wants anytime He wants.