A God Fearing Gentile Is Directed to Seek the Truth
The city of Caesarea, according to Ash, was "an important seaport and
the center of the Roman government and militia for the area. Both
Greeks and Jews populated the city, often inharmoniously." Luke told
Theophilus that in that city was a centuri... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter's Vision
On the next day at noon, while the emissaries were on their way, Peter
went to the top of Simon's house to pray. He became very hungry while
preparations for the noon meal were being made and fell into a trance.
He saw something like a sheet being let down out of heaven full of all
t... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter Meets Cornelius
The following day, Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius, where the
God fearing soldier had assembled his kinsmen and friends to hear what
God's messenger would say. Upon meeting the Lord's apostle, Cornelius
bowed down before him. Rather than accepting such adoration or
enc... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter Preached to the Assembled Gentiles
The beginning of Peter's sermon makes it obvious that he had learned a
great new lesson. As Ash said, "Acceptability to God no longer
depended on national descent, but upon character (cf. Amos 9:7; Micah
6:8). Thus one need not become a Jew to please God." S... [ Continue Reading ]
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
A remarkable thing occurred while Peter was speaking. Gentiles, who
had never gotten rid of their uncleanness through circumcision and
sacrifice, were baptized with the Holy Spirit. The fact that they
spoke in tongues and magnified the name of God was clear evidence t... [ Continue Reading ]