X: 1, 2. The scene changes from Joppa to Cæsarea, about thirty miles northward along the Mediterranean shore; and we are introduced to another case for conversion, a Gentile and a soldier. (1) "_ There was a certain man in Cæsarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called Italian,_ (2) _a de... [ Continue Reading ]
X: 1, 2. The scene changes from Joppa to Cæsarea, about thirty miles northward along the Mediterranean shore; and we are introduced to another case for conversion, a Gentile and a soldier. (1) “_ There was a certain man in Cæsarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called Italian,_ (2) _a de... [ Continue Reading ]
3-6. This defect in his religious character was not a fault; it was only a misfortune. He was doing the best he knew how; and, if we may infer what he prayed for, from what he obtained in answer to his prayers, he was praying for additional knowledge, and perhaps for an interest in the salvation off... [ Continue Reading ]
7, 8. (7) "_ And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius went away, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of those who attended him,_ (8) _and having fully related all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. " The two servants are included in the household, who with him fe... [ Continue Reading ]
9-16. The scene of the narrative now changes again, from Cæsarea back to Joppa, and to the house of the tanner, where we left the Apostle Peter. Leaving the messengers of Cornelius on the way, Luke anticipates their arrival, and relates how Peter was prepared for the favorable reception of their mes... [ Continue Reading ]
17-20. Restored now to his natural state of mind, Peter remains upon the housetop, reflecting upon the vision, and wondering if there was not some meaning in it besides that in reference to unclean animals. The question was soon solved. (17) "_ Now when Peter was doubting in himself what this vision... [ Continue Reading ]
21, 22. He knows nothing, as yet, of the nature of their mission, neither does he yet understand any better than before the meaning of the vision. (21) "_ Then Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom you are seeking. What is the cause for which you are come?_ (22) And they said, C... [ Continue Reading ]
23. As the Spirit had directed, he does not hesitate as to the line of duty, but at once announces to the messengers that the journey shall begin to-morrow. (23) "_ Then, calling them in, he lodged them; and on the next day Peter went out with them, and certain brethren from Joppa went with him. " I... [ Continue Reading ]
24. During the four days which had elapsed, Cornelius had made no secret of the vision he had witnessed, but had communicated it to such friends as were likely to take the same interest in it with himself. Having presumed, with all confidence, that Peter would come, and knowing the time that the jou... [ Continue Reading ]
25-27. (25) "_ Now as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet and worshipped._ (26) _But Peter raised him up, and said, Stand up. I myself also am a man._ (27) _And conversing with him, he came in and found many who had come together. " It is not in keeping with the charact... [ Continue Reading ]
28, 29. Upon entering the house of this Gentile, side by side with him, and into the presence of others who were likewise uncircumcised, Peter deemed it proper to inform them of his reason for thus departing from a well-known Jewish custom. (28) "_ And he said to them, You know that it is unlawful f... [ Continue Reading ]
30-33. (30) "_ Then Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,_ (31) _and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance before God._ (32) _Send, there... [ Continue Reading ]
34, 35. The scene before Peter enlarges his conceptions of the purpose of God; for he now sees that his mission is designed not for the benefit of Cornelius alone, but for a large number of his Gentile friends; and if for all these, then, there is to be no further national limitation to the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
36-38. Cornelius has now related to Peter such an experience, as, we have seen above, would secure him recognition as a genuine convert to Christ among Protestant sects; but Peter was so far from regarding it in this light, that he proceeds to preach to them as he would to other sinners. We will con... [ Continue Reading ]
39. Not content with assuming that these facts were familiar to them, Peter gives them a surer foundation for their convictions, by presenting the testimony upon which he relies to prove the facts. (39) "_ And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem,... [ Continue Reading ]
40, 41. The crowning fact of the gospel comes next in the statement. (40) "_ Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly,_ (41) not to all the people, to be witnesses chosen by God beforehand, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose from the dead. " Here Peter states, by... [ Continue Reading ]
42, 43. Having now followed the career of Jesus from the beginning to his resurrection and exhibition of himself alive to the witnesses, Peter proceeds in regular order to the next historical fact, the giving of the apostolic commission. (42) "_ And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to te... [ Continue Reading ]
44-46. We are next informed of a fact which is new to this narrative, and was very surprising both to Peter and his companions. (44) "_ While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were hearing the word,_ (45) _and the believers of the circumcision who came with... [ Continue Reading ]
47, 48. The true explanation of this unusual circumstance is given in the following words, together with Peter's own explanation of it in the eleventh chapter: "_ Then Peter answered,_ (47) _Can any man forbid water, that these should not be immersed, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?... [ Continue Reading ]