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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Acts Chapter 10 

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Luke
Date Penned: (63-70 AD)
Overview: Peter's Ministry (c 1-12)
Theme:  The Establishment of the Church (c 1-7)
Message: Peter and Cornelius (v 1-43)

Acts 10 Commentary

(10:1-8) Cornelius Calls for Peter - In the history of the early church recorded in the first nine chapters of Acts, this saving work of God’s Spirit was mostly confined to the Jews. Suddenly, Acts 10 describes the Spirit’s sovereign activity in a Gentile army officer stationed on the Mediterranean coast. The book of Acts continues with its steady, singular message: God is directing the expansion of his church, founded on the crucified and resurrected Christ. The conversion of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert recorded in Acts, portrays a significant step in the process of expansion. The word was spreading and the church was on the threshold of a whole new phase of Jesus’ promised progress (1:8).

(10:9-33) Peter Visits Cornelius - Even as Cornelius’s messengers were on their way to get Peter, the apostle was having a divine vision of his own. In this vision, three times Peter was commanded to kill and eat a number of unclean animals. Of Jewish descent, Peter was both horrified and confused by this strange dream. The meaning of the vision slowly became clear, however, when the messengers arrived and told their story (10:17-23).

(10:34-43) The Gentiles Hear the Good News - Having been sovereignly (even miraculously) guided to the home of Cornelius and having been impressed by the truth that God doesn’t show partiality (10:34), Peter took the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven given him by Christ (Matthew 16:19) and, in an epoch-changing moment, opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles.

(10:44-48) THE GENTILES RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT - To confirm the Gentiles’ acceptance by God and their full inclusion in his Kingdom as heirs of grace, Luke recorded these new converts’ experience of the Holy Spirit. Luke recorded the original Pentecost in chapter 2. Chapter 8 told of the “Samaritan Pentecost.” This event could be called the “Gentile Pentecost.” The Spirit came upon all those in attendance.

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

The Family of God

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Acts Chapter 10. In our text today we see the account of Peter and Cornelius as Peter preaches at His house. Here we have 2 very different people as Peter was a Jew and Cornelius was a Gentile yet God showed each of them that they were equal and each needed the other in the eyes of the Lord. In making application we see that all believers of all races, tongues, and tribes are one family in the eyes of our Lord. We are all brothers and sisters in Jesus-Christ if we have been born again. In making application we see that body, or Church, should work together according to Bible to fulfill the Great Commission. How about you? Do you see that all believers are family in the eyes of our Lord? Let us learn from out text today and the Life of Peter and Cornelius, who were very different socially in their day, but their faith in Christ made them part of one family, brothers with one vision and purpose, to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

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Acts 10

Acts 10

 1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

 2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

 7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

 8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

 9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

 17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

 18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

 19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

 22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

 23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

 24And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

 28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

 40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.