Acts 10 - Introduction

The Conversion Of Cornelius Acts Ten

It was God's will that the gospel be preached to every creature. (Mark 16:15). At this point in history the gospel had been preached only to the Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans had part Jewish blood. Cornelius and his household were the first Gentile converts. The Jews had been long separated from the Gentiles. It took a series of miracles from God to help break down this prejudice.

Cornelius, was the captain or centurion of a group of soldiers called "The Italian Band." He and the other soldiers in this unit were from Italy. He was a praying man that practiced charity to the poor. These deeds did not save him but they did cause God to take notice of him. God instructed him to send for Peter to learn what he needed to do to be saved.

In a vision the Lord told Peter to kill and eat unclean animals. Peter told the Lord he had never eaten anything unclean. Peter was told that what God had cleansed no one should call unclean. The vision was not really about food, but it was about people. While Peter thought about what the vision meant three men came from Cornelius. He went with these men without doubting. Some brethren accompanied him from Joppa.

When they arrived at Caesarea Cornelius was waiting. Cornelius, his family and friends were ready to hear what they must do to be saved. Cornelius fell down and worshipped at Peter's feet. Peter said to him, "Stand up! I am just a man." Peter explained to Cornelius how he had learned that no man is common or unclean.

Peter now knew that any person that fears God and works righteousness is accepted with God. He is no respecter of persons. Peter preached the gospel to those that had gathered. He told them of the work of Jesus and of His death and resurrection. Peter showed that Jesus is the one that God has chosen to judge the living and the dead. As Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon those that heard the word. The Jewish brethren that had come with Peter were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. They heard the Gentiles speaking in unknown languages and praising God. Peter now saw clearly that the Gentiles should be baptized. So He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.