ACTS 9:32 TO ACTS 11:18. A COLLECTION OF PETER STORIES. Lydda and Joppa (p. 28) belonged at this time to Judæ a, and had a predominantly Jewish population, and Peter's activity is of a peaceful, quiet nature. Peter, who appears here alone, is carrying on a mission outside Jerusalem, to which, howeve... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS 10. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS. This incident is parallel to the conversion of the Ethiopian by Philip; both show the extension of the Gospel beyond the Jews, and prepare for the story of the Pauline mission. On the opening vision _cf. Acts 8:26_, Acts 16:9; Galatians 2:2. See also p. 767. AC... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS 10:9. THE HOUSETOP TO PRAY: _ cf._ 2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:13; Daniel 6:10. SIXTH HOUR: an hour of prayer (_cf. Acts 2:15_). No food was ordinarily eaten by the Jews before midday. Acts 10:10. Peter is in a house where there are people to prepare his meal. A TRANCE: _cf._ Genesis 15:12;... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS 10. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS. This incident is parallel to the conversion of the Ethiopian by Philip; both show the extension of the Gospel beyond the Jews, and prepare for the story of the Pauline mission. On the opening vision _cf. Acts 8:26_, Acts 16:9; Galatians 2:2. See also p. 767. A... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER'S SPEECH. Acts 10:34 f. declares that Peter regards the persons before him, though not Jews, as fit to enter the Church and share in the promises. The word for respecter of persons is a new one; for the notion, see Luke 20:21; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; James 2:1. God does not judge of men by... [ Continue Reading ]
RESULT OF THE SERMON. The Holy Spirit comes as a rule at baptism, but here, before anything is said about baptism, Peter's speech is interrupted by the descent of the Spirit. Those who had come with Peter from Joppa knew at once what had happened when they heard the Gentile hearers break out into sp... [ Continue Reading ]