A Study in the Book of Acts
Part 10
Grafting in the Gentiles
Last week we studied the conversion of Paul, and the continued ministry of Peter in raising the dead widow Dorcas and in Joppa. This week we are in Acts 10 where God’s plan continues to be fulfilled in the salvation of the Gentiles.
Acts 10:1-8: 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. 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.'' 7. And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
So here we have the introduction of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius of the Italian Regiment. A Centurion was generally in charge of 100 men. But in doing general research I found there is some disagreement among scholars. It seems many believe there were no actual Romans stationed in Judea. Judea was a minor province and did not warrant actual Romans being stations there. Historically a Roman army was made up of legions which consisted of units of 100 men, a century. There is information that states this unit in Caesarea was not a full century but a cohort of about 60-80 men. Also, the Italian Regiment would have been made up of Italian citizen volunteers and many scholars do not think this is so. Probably mercenaries of conquered people such as Syrian Greeks, Gauls, Spanish etc. Just an interesting side thought.
Cornelius is listed as a devout man, who feared God. a Jewish proselyte known and respected by the Jewish community (Acts 10:22). Cornelius was a devout man who regularly prayed and gave to charity. As we see here Cornelius is praying and the Lord sends an Angel of the Lord to tell him to send for Peter, a Jewish follower of Christ, one of the original Apostles.
This is the opening salvo of God’s continual plan for the salvation of the World.
Acts: 1:8: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.''
This is the beginning. God has to show Peter that salvation is for the gentiles, not just gentile proselytes, (gentiles who had converted to Judaism and been circumcised).
So, God tells Cornelius to send for Peter who is staying with Simon the Tanner in Joppa, down the coast from Caesarea, a distance of about 26 miles.
Meanwhile we see God also working on Peter.
Acts 10: 10-16: 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.
Basically, God has given Peter a vision to eat unclean things. Telling him what God has cleansed you must not call common or unclean. This is referring to Jewish dietary laws and what they can and cannot eat, but it is also has spiritual ramifications. Who is considered eligible to enter the Kingdom of God?
Peter does not fully understand the vision until he is sent to Cornelius. Then when Cornelius describes his vision, Peter understands and says:
Acts: 10:34-35: 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.
He then continues to preach the Gospel to Cornelius and His household. Verse 25 tells us Cornelius had gathered his family, close relatives and friends to await Peter’s arrival. So, it is not just Cornelius but his entire household who hears the message. After they hear the message, everyone is saved and the Holy Ghost falls on them all, while Peter was still preaching!
Acts 10: 45-48: 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.
Verse 45 tells us Peter was not alone, but traveled in the company of other Jewish Believers, this is the first time we see this mentioned in this passage. Other Jewish Believers witnessed this great move of God in the salvation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit of these gentiles, seeking God with all they had in them.
Here we have Cornelius a devout man, who forsook all the Roman idolatry to seek the one true God. As I said early, many believed he was a Jewish proselyte. This is probably true as he was praying during the 9th hour, the usual hour of prayer. He had brought his household into belief also. He also was a giver. He gave to the poor and to God. He was a good man. Yet he knew there was emptiness in His life, a void that only Jesus could feel.
I think this was the reason for his prayers. Asking for more. More of God. How many of us have been in his shoes, we knew there was more, but did not fully understand how much more?
Isn’t is wonderful, that God loves us enough to answer this prayer. As we seek more of Him, he meets us half way and gives us more. Just as He sent Peter to Cornelius, He sends what or who we need when we need them. It may be during our on private devotional, a sentence utters in a Bible study such as this, a word from the Pastor on Sunday, or someone just talking with us. God will send us what we need when we need it.
Notice one of the things Cornelius had to do was act on what God told him in obedience. God told him to, in verse 5, to send to Joppa for Peter. If Cornelius had not done this nothing would have happened. Cornelius had to be obedient to receive the rest of the promise. We must also, always walk in obedience. We can’t beg God for something and then not do what he tells us to do to receive it. Amen.
This event is important in that it is the door that leads to the salvation of the rest of the world. But it also important on an individual level for it is an example of hunger being fulfilled through obedience. How can God ask less of us? Amen?