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 ]