Opening The Way

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Who was Cornelius?

A Roman Centurion of the Italian Regiment (100 men)
Devout, God-fearing, uncircumcised Gentile
Gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly
His family was known to be like him

Two Visions, and a Divine Appointment

Cornelius was praying about three in the afternoon and had a vision of an angel

What kind of soldier has a spiritual vision? Isn’t that reserved for priests and prophets?
Cornelius was called by name
Cornelius was afraid (holy, reverential)
The angel addressed Cornelius as a commanding officer would, with specific instructions
To send men to Joppa to retrieve Peter from Simon the tanner’s house.

Cornelius did as instructed.

At noon the next day, while Peter was praying, he fell into a trance

He was hungry, waiting for food
He saw a sheet bring lowered from heaven with unclean animals in it
The voice from heaven told him to “Get up,” “Kill and eat.”
But Peter protested “Surely not, Lord!”
As a devout Hebraic Jew, Peter had “never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
Maybe this was a test where he would have to prove his devotion.
It would not have been the first time; others had been tested this way.
They first objection to a strange command of God may be pardoned, but stubbornness or abstinence will not.

Peter was rebuked, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Just to make it clear to Peter, he was given this vision three times.

While Peter was still praying and thinking about the vision, Cornelius’ men arrived, and the Spirit told him to get up and go with them.

Peter was told not to hesitate, because the Spirit sent them.

After they told him that Cornelius sent them because of his vision, Peter invited these uncircumcised Gentiles into his home as his guests.

Clean and Unclean

Unclean occurs 132 times in the Hebrew Scriptures; over 50 percent of these are Leviticus.
Clean occurs 74 times in Leviticus; over 1/3 of those are in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Cleanness and uncleanness is related to holiness

Unclean Foods – Lev. 11
Women who were menstruating or had given birth were ritually ‘unclean’
The purpose of the annual Day of Atonement was to make the people of Israel clean. – Lev. 16

Jews and Gentiles were divided over what was clean and unclean

Jews did not associate with Gentiles in private because of their uncleanness
Jesus and the Pharisee even argued over what was ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’
It identified them with God as His people.
It reminded them of the principal of election that God is the One who defines what is clean and unclean.
It forced the Israelite to be meticulous about everything they did because they realized how easy it was to become contaminated under the laws of cleanness and uncleanness.
It wasn’t just Gentiles but also women and the sick or infirmed who were excluded, at certain times, and for certain reasons.

Being unclean meant that they could not worship in the same way as others.

They could not make themselves clean.

Sometimes, our way isn’t open to others.

When someone is born as a citizen of another country, they cannot vote in the U.S., draw federal benefits, or become President.
For some of them they fulfill some requirements.
Still, there are not guarantees.
While some were willing to continue to exclude others with conditions that were not fault of their own, God did something different

God makes plain to Peter who he accepts into the kingdom of God.

Cornelius lived in Cesarea, one of the cities were Philip (the Deacon) had preached the Gospel

Their hearts were made ready to receive the Gospel, the Spirit arranged their appointment, and Peter was called to gather the harvest.

Each step is given to them individually, if God had revealed his intent too early, they may have refused.
Peter had not gone to see Cornelius on his own, a number of people had traveled with him

Many people were waiting to hear from him

Peter realized that because Cornelius had received a confirmed vision from God, and so many were hungry for the Good News, that God does not show favoritism.

God accepts everyone who fears him and does what is right.

Peter lays out the Gospel in nine verses – Acts 10:34-43
Even while Peter was still preaching, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the message. – Vs. 44

Peter doesn’t get to choose who receives the Spirit, the Spirit gives himself.

The circumcised Christians (Hebraic Jews) were astonished that gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on them in the same way he had with them.

They had the fear of God and generous goodness that resulted.

But they had not yet been called to believe in Jesus Christ, the one who actually bridged the gap between Jew and Gentile through holy love.

Through Jesus Christ, they are made clean and accepted in the kingdom of God.

The Spirit was given to them first, so Peter could not deny that they believed.

So that there would be a public sign of their acceptance, Peter doesn’t hesitate to baptize them.

There would be an open table for the Jews as well as the Gentiles; Jesus Christ is “Lord of All.”

They asked Peter to stay with them and minister to them for a few days.

God opened the way for all who fears him and does what is right.

If they are not ready to hear the Gospel, then love them

the best way we can so that they can see the very real power and love of God.

Our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ is to always seek where God is moving among those who do not yet believe yet fear God and seek to do what is right, and to share the Gospel with them.

Then they will ask about Jesus, giving us an opportunity to tell them.

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