Acts 10
Cornelius Sends for Peter
1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band.
Caesarea was 30 miles from Joppa. It was a major seaport town that Paul would use often in his travels.
Cornelius was a Gentile Centurion of the Italian branch of the Roman legion. A centurion was in charge of 100 men. The band (or cohort) consisted of six centurions and 600 men.
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
The Greek word for "devout" is εὐσεβής (eusebais), meaning god-fearing, pious, and devout. This Roman centurion had given up on paganism. He was a Gentile who was seeking the one true God. He was a Gentile who gave alms to the Jewish poor. He was a Gentile who prayed to God with the little light that was given to him. Whenever a Gentile seeks light, he will be given more.
3 He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
An angel of God came to Cornelius at 3 PM in the afternoon and called him by name.
4 And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, "What is it, Lord?" And Angel said unto him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God."
Cornelius called the angel Lord, meaning that he recognized the angel was a supernatural messenger from God.
The Greek word for "memorial" is μνημόσυνον (menamosunon), meaning that part of a sacrifice which was burned on the altar together with the frankincense, so that its fragrance might ascend up to heaven and commend the offerer to God's remembrance. The prayers of Cornelius smelled like nice-smelling incense to God.
5 "And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is measured Peter."
Cornelius was not to go up to Joppa himself. Instead, he was to send some of the men who were under his rank and jurisdiction.
6 "He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."
The angel distinguished between the two Simons, as one was a tanner and the other was the apostle who possessed the keys to the Gentiles. He gave specific instructions to the location of the house, as it was the house by the seaside.
7 And when the angel that spoke unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually.
Cornelius obeyed immediately and sent two civilians and one soldier. The soldier was devout, meaning that he had the same spiritual qualities as Cornelius.
8 And having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Cornelius gave his servants the details and sent them on their way.
Peter's Vision
(Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:1-21)
9 Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
On the next day, the three men began the two day journey to Joppa, As they entered the city limits, Peter went to pray on the housetop. The housetops were flat patios that were used by families and guests as an outdoor room. Peter prayed at noon, meaning that he followed the Jewish tradition of praying three times per day.
10 And he became hungry, and desired to eat, but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.
The Greek word for "hungry" is πρόσπεινος (prospeinos), meaning very hungry.
The Greek word for "trance" is ἔκστασις (ekatosis), meaning to stand outside of oneself in amazement or ecstasy. This word is the origin of the English word ecstasy.
11 And he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth.
The Greek word for "great sheet" is ὀθόνην μεγάλην (othonayn megalayn), meaning a very large linen cloth.
The Greek word for "corners" is ἀρχή (arche), meaning the beginnings. The text does not say four corners of the earth, like many skeptics claim, attempting to make a flat earth out of this verse. Instead, the text reads the four beginnings of the earth, which could be the four directions of east, west, north, and south. The text does not mention who is holding the mega-linen cloth.
12 Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven.
This vision included clean and unclean animals, as well as kosher and non kosher animals.
13 And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
This was the voice of God. Peter was hungry, but not hungry enough to break the Mosaic Law.
14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean."
This must have been a strange command for Peter, because it asked him to violate the Mosaic Law. A "common" animal was a strangled animal (since Peter had no weapon). An "unclean" animal was a non-kosher animal. Both were forbidden by the Mosaic Law.
15 And a voice came unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, make not thou common."
According to Mark 7:18-19, the Messiah was to eventually make all meats clean, or kosher. At the death of Jesus, the Mosaic Law was made inoperative, meaning that all meats were now clean. The purpose of kosher laws was to keep the Jews from eating and mingling with the Gentiles, who were seeped deeply into demonic paganism.
The "uou" is emphatic, meaning "You Peter, only a human", do not make unclean what God has made clean!
16 And this was done thrice, and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.
Peter was hard-headed, so the vision had to be repeated three times. This is an example of piety beyond the will of God.
Peter Summoned to Caesarea
17 Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate.
The Greek word for "perplexed" is διαπορέω (diaporeo), meaning that he was so confused, that he had no way of figuring out the vision. During this time of confusion, he heard a knock at the door. The Roman Gentiles from the command of Cornelius had arrived.
18 And called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.
The men kept calling out for Peter.
19 And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee."
The Greek word for "thought" is ἐνθυμέομαι (enthumeomai), meaning to passionately meditate upon the vision.
The Greek word for "behold" is Ἰδοὺ, meaning to see with the mind. The Holy Spirit directly spoke to Peter and commanded him to see with his mind that three men were seeking him. These three men would solve Peter's confusion over the vision. Charismatics like to use this verse to teach others that the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them today. Again, Luke is recording the history of the early church, not the doctrine of the modern church. The doctrine of the modern church is found in Paul's epistles. If a person hears voices in his head, it is most likely not the Holy Spirit, because believers are commanded to study the Scriptures via a gifted pastor-teacher. The voice is most likely either demons masquerading as the Holy Spirit, or it is one's own human depraved nature. Another possibility is that the charismatic is making the voice up in order to elevate himself or to deceive his audience.
20 "But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting, for I have sent them."
The Greek word for "but" is ἀλλά (alla), meaning to go down with them immediately with a willingness to do so, and do it without doubt. Notice that the Holy Spirit sent these men. These men did not go with their own positive volition.
21 And Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek. What is the cause wherefore ye are come?"
The Greek word for "behold" is Ἰδοὺ, meaning to see with spiritual eyes. Peter informed the men that they needed to see with their spiritual eyes that he is the one they seeked. It was very possible that Simon the Tanner did not want two Roman citizens and a Roman soldier to know the location of Peter, because of the persecutions that were prevalent at this time.
22 And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee."
There men gave a description of the centurion. A centurion was a Roman commander of 100 soldiers. He was a righteous man, according to Jewish standards. He feared God, not the pagan gods of Rome, but the one true God. Cornelius possessed some knowledge of a unique god outside of Roman paganism, but he was not sure who he was. Cornelius favored the Jewish nation. Notice that Cornelius recognized the Jews as a nation and not a religion.
23 So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
It was too late in the afternoon to travel to Caesarea, so Peter lodged them for the night and left the next morning. These three Gentile men were most likely blessed by lodging and traveling with this Jewish apostle.
Peter at Caesarea
24 And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends.
This is a very important verse in the New Testament. Peter had the keys of the kingdoms and he was now going to open the door of salvation to the Gentiles. God's method for opening this door was an angel visitation to Cornelius, the sending of three messengers, three visions to Peter, two commands directly from the Holy Spirit, travel to Caesarea, and a personal invitation from Cornelius to Peter, who was to visit and preach to many of Cornelius' friends and family members. Cornelius was eagerly expecting this visit, because he was expecting to hear news of the identity of the one true God. He wanted his family and his friends to hear the good news as well.
25 And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
This was a normal Gentile response. Cornelius was a military leader, living in a decadent Roman Gentile society.
26 But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."
Notice that "the first pope", according to the Catholics, did not allow anyone to kneel down and call him "your holiness". Peter was not the first pope. Popery is nothing but Roman Catholic superstition that was passed down from the Tower of Babel.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together.
Notice that Peter entered the house of a Gentile, something a Jew would never do.
28 And he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation, and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean."
Cornelius was a Gentile living in Jewish territory, so he knew the custom. However, this was a custom of Pharisaic Judaism, not the Mosaic Law. Peter now understood the previous vision. Just as the common and uncommon food were no longer unclean, Gentiles were also not to be considered common and unclean.
29 "Wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me."
Peter obeyed the Holy Spirit without arguing. Peter now wanted to know why he was sent.
30 And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel."
Four days ago, an angel had visited Cornelius while he was praying.
31 And saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
The angel was sent as an answer to prayer.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.
The angel gave to the centurion the exact location of Peter.
33 Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.
Cornelius did exactly what the angel told him to do, without delay. Cornelius commended Peter for breaking Jewish custom. Cornelius was now ready to hear what Peter had to say.
The Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 And Peter opened his mouth and said," Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons,"
Peter used the keys of the Kingdom twice before in the Book of Acts. In Chapter 2, he opened the door for the Jews. In Chapter 8, he opened the door for the Samaritans. Now, he is about to use these keys for the third time to open the door for the Gentiles.
The Greek word for "respecter of persons" is προσωπολήπτης (prosopolatais), meaning one who shows favor. God does not show favoritism to Jews over Gentiles. They were all part of his salvation program. As for salvation, there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Paul explained later that Jews were to take the gospel to the Gentiles, but Jews would reject the gospel themselves, so Gentiles were to make the Jews jealous.
35 "but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him."
Peter recognized that God was also God of the Gentiles.
36 "The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.)"
The "word" is the λόγος (logos) of John 1. The lλόγος (logos) first came to the children of Israel. Jesus bought the good news of peace via the Messiah. Jesus is the Lord of all, including both Jews and Gentiles.
37 "That saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached,"
The Greek word for "you" is ὑμεῖς (humeis), meaning you yourselves emphatically.
The Greek word for "know" is οἶδα, meaning to see, know, and understand divine spiritual concepts with spiritual eyes. In other words, the Holy Spirit had opened their eyes and revealed this knowledge to them.
Peter had informed Cornelius and his Gentile audience that they emphatically knew by revelation of the Holy Spirit the facts about the public ministry of John the Baptist that were published all throughout Judea, beginning at Galilee. Cornelius was a Roman centurion who patrolled these areas, so he had firsthand knowledge of these events.
38 "even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him."
The Greek word for "anointed" is χρίω (krio), meaning Messiah, or anointed with oil. Jewish kings were anointed with oil by Jewish prophets to show that God had given them royal authority. Jesus was not anointed with oil, but he was anointed with the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus was God, he could only do good things. Physical healings and the removal of demons were the miracles that Jesus performed to authenticate his claims of deity and messiahship.
39 "And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree."
Peter was a witness to all of these messianic events just mentioned. Peter also witnesses his death on the cross.
40 "Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,"
Peter witnessed the resurrection of Jesus.
41 "not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."
Peter was able to eat and drink with Jesus after his resurrection.
42 "And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead."
Peter was commanded to teach about the resurrected Christ. Since Peter was speaking to a Gentile audience, he described Jesus not as the Messiah, but as "the Judge of the living and the dead." This description would be better understood by Gentiles.
43 "To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins."
The prophets also predicted the pre-existence, birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah. Everyone who believed the prophets would have their sins supernaturally removed.
The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
(Joel 2:28-32; John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 19:1-7)
44 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.
Peter had opened the door of salvation for the Gentiles. As soon as the Gentiles heard the basics of the gospels, they believed and were baptized with the Holy Spirit. According to Romans 10, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Now that the door is open, this method will be used by the Holy Spirit to bring Gentiles into the body of Christ.
45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The six Jews that traveled with Peter were amazed that the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles at Caesarea.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Charismatics use this verse to teach that the speaking of tongues is evidence of salvation. Tongues were a gift of the early church. It was mostly an evangelic gift used in the mission field. An apostle or his legate would speak his own language, but the gospel message was heard in the birth language of the listeners. Tongues was more of a listening miracle that it was a speaking miracle. It was a miracle of hearing, not speaking.
When a person believes, he is instantly baptized into the Holy Spirit. However, this baptism of the Spirit is invisible to anyone on the outside. Therefore, the Holy Spirit had to give Peter and his witnesses a visible sign that these Gentiles were actually saved. The sign that the Holy Spirit chose was the gift of speaking in tongues. This gift existed in the early church, but it disappeared at the temple destruction of 70 A.D.
47 "Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"
The Greek question demands a "no" answer. If Gentiles had been baptized by the Holy Spirit, then they were already saved for eternity. They had entered the Kingdom of God. Therefore, they should be baptized with water. The water baptism was not for salvation, because these Gentile believers had already been saved. The water baptism was an outward sign that identified these Gentiles with Christ.
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Peter commanded the other Jewish believers to baptize the new Gentile converts. Peter continued to pray and teach the new converts about their new faith.
