THERE WAS A MAN IN CAESAREA NAMED CORNELIUS. Caesarea was the chief
seaport of Palestine, also the Roman capital and military
headquarters. Cornelius was one of several Gentile captains spoken of
favorably in the New Testament. [Julius (Acts 27:1-3) the one at the
cross (Matthew 27:54); the one who... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS A RELIGIOUS MAN. This means he had turned to God and worshiped
him. He was not A "Gentile converted to Judaism," because he had not
been circumcised and officially become A _Jew._ But he and his family
were part of a synagogue and worshiped the One True God. Most of the
Gentiles who first "ca... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD A VISION. Three o'clock was one of the Jewish hours of
prayer (Acts 3:1). He clearly saw the angel.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS IT, SIR? [_lord_ = _sir._] He asks the meaning of this vision
which has filled him with awe. GOD HAS ACCEPTED YOUR PRAYERS.
Cornelius was worshiping God to the full extent of his knowledge. When
God finds one who is eager to know _him,_ he makes that knowledge
available!... [ Continue Reading ]
TO CALL FOR A CERTAIN MAN. Note it is not the angel who tells him the
Good News of God's act in Christ to set men free. Cornelius is told to
send for Peter [in order to learn what he must believe and do].... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE HOME OF A LEATHERWORKER NAMED SIMON. Sanitary laws required
leatherworkers to live outside the cities, and to be near plenty of
water. Note that Cornelius will learn God's will through a human
messenger.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO OF HIS HOUSE SERVANTS AND A SOLDIER. These also worshiped God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NEXT DAY. They are coming near Joppa. So God sends Peter a vision
to get him ready to go with them. Peter is a Jew, they are Gentiles.
PETER WENT UP ON THE ROOF. The roof was flat, with a wall around it
about four feet high. People often slept on the roof at night, when
the weather permitted. [M... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HAD A VISION. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:2; Revelation 1:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAW HEAVEN OPENED. The meaning of this vision is clear. Peter is
hungry. He sees a sheet lowered down, containing all kinds of animals,
reptiles, and wild birds. Many of these are ritually "unclean" and the
Law forbids any to eat them. The voice says: _"Get up, Peter; kill and
eat!"_ Peter answer... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. The voice spoke three times.... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER WAS WONDERING. He is trying to understand the Lord's message to
him. AND DO NOT HESITATE TO GO WITH THEM. Peter's "Jewish attitude"
would have told him not to go (_compare_ Galatians 2:11-14). AND SOME
OF THE BROTHER!. See Acts 11:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOLLOWING DAY. Parts of two days went into the trip, which was
about thirty miles [probably walking]. CORNELIUS WAS WAITING FOR HIM.
The religious attitude of this man is shown by the crowd he has called
together.... [ Continue Reading ]
CORNELIUS MET HIM. Note that when Cornelius "worships" Peter, he is
made to _rise._ No man is to be worshiped, and, not even an angel
(Revelation 22:8-9). Only God is to be worshiped! [Christ is God in
human form.]... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT A JEW IS NOT ALLOWED. Jewish tradition was much more restrictive
than the Law (Galatians 2:12). BUT GOD HAS SHOWN ME. This is the
meaning of Peter's vision. Barriers of race, sex, and social status
disappear in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29).... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WE ARE ALL HERE. Cornelius tells Peter the vision he had, and
eagerly waits to hear the message God will give him through Peter.
This is the first Gentile audience to hear the Good News of God's act
in Christ to set men free!... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER BEGAN TO SPEAK. The same preacher who announced God's terms for
salvation to the Jews on Pentecost, now announces them to the Gentiles
for the first time. THAT GOD TREATS ALL MEN ON THE SAME BASIS. God
loves both Jew and Gentile. Compare John 3:16-17 and notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU KNOW THE MESSAGE. Cornelius and his friends would know the
personal history of Jesus of Nazareth, and even the "Good News of
peace" which Christ had proclaimed to the Jews. Luke gives us only a
short summary of what Peter said. AFTER THE BAPTISM THAT JOHN
PREACHED. Jesus began his public ministr... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE WITNESSES. They _saw first hand_ his life and power, and saw
him after he had raised from death. NOT TO ALL THE PEOPLE. The reason
why he did not show himself to all the unbelievers after his
resurrection, may be the principle he taught in Matthew 7:6. He was
seen by more than just the apostl... [ Continue Reading ]
And he commanded as to preach the gospel. [Gospel _means_ Good News.]
Compare Luke 24:44-49.... [ Continue Reading ]
All the prophets spoke about him. The Old Testament was full of
"Christ." Through THE POWER OF his name. Name = authority (_compare
note on_ Acts 2:38). (1) Sins are forgiven in/by his name; (2) to
those who believe in him; (3) whoever believes, Jew or Gentile, can
reach out through faith to grasp t... [ Continue Reading ]
ON ALL THOSE WHO WERE LISTENING. All those mentioned in Acts 10:2;
Acts 10:24. Peter later identifies this as: _"Just as on us at the
beginning"_ (Acts 11:15). This answers the question about whether the
120 or only the apostles received the "baptism with the Holy Spirit"
at Pentecost. _Lipscomb_ sa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWISH BELIEVERS. They were amazed that God would do this to
Gentiles, whom they thought of as being "cut off from God." This is
the only time mentioned in the Scriptures of the Holy Spirit coming
down on those who had not been baptized. Compare Acts 19:1-7 and
notes. This is a unique event, for... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM BEING BAPTIZED WITH WATER? Baptism with "water and the Spirit"
(John 3:5_ and note_) was still necessary to _initiate_ Cornelius and
the others _into union with Christ._ Compare Titus 3:4-5; Acts 22:16;
Colossians 2:11-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE ORDERED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED. Cornelius was such a good man that
he would be received in many religious groups _unbaptized!_ Yet to be
part of the _church_ of Christ, he must comply with Peter's command to
be buried in the liquid grave.... [ Continue Reading ]