{"id":6342,"date":"2020-04-27T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/wp\/?p=6342"},"modified":"2020-04-27T11:20:37","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T16:20:37","slug":"acts-chapter-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/?p=6342","title":{"rendered":"Acts Chapter 10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At\u00a0Caesarea\u00a0there\u00a0was\u00a0a\u00a0man\u00a0named\u00a0Cornelius,\u00a0a\u00a0centurion\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0was\u00a0known\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0Italian\u00a0Cohort,\u00a02\u00a0<\/sup>a\u00a0devout\u00a0man\u00a0who\u00a0feared\u00a0God\u00a0with\u00a0all\u00a0his\u00a0household,\u00a0gave\u00a0alms\u00a0generously\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0people,\u00a0and\u00a0prayed\u00a0continually\u00a0to\u00a0God.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do We truly fear God? Are we constantly praying to God?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3\u00a0<\/sup>About\u00a0the\u00a0ninth\u00a0hour\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0day1<\/sup><\/em><\/a>\u00a0z<\/sup><\/em><\/a>he\u00a0saw\u00a0clearly\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0vision\u00a0a<\/sup><\/em><\/a>an\u00a0angel\u00a0of\u00a0God\u00a0come\u00a0in\u00a0and\u00a0say\u00a0to\u00a0him,\u00a0\u201cCornelius.\u201d\u00a04\u00a0<\/sup>And\u00a0he\u00a0stared\u00a0at\u00a0him\u00a0in\u00a0terror\u00a0and\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201cWhat\u00a0is\u00a0it,\u00a0Lord?\u201d\u00a0And\u00a0he\u00a0said\u00a0to\u00a0him,\u00a0\u201cYour\u00a0prayers\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0alms\u00a0b<\/sup><\/em><\/a>have\u00a0ascended\u00a0c<\/sup><\/em><\/a>as\u00a0a\u00a0memorial\u00a0before\u00a0God.\u00a05\u00a0<\/sup>And\u00a0now\u00a0send\u00a0men\u00a0to\u00a0Joppa\u00a0and\u00a0bring\u00a0one\u00a0Simon\u00a0who\u00a0is\u00a0called\u00a0Peter.\u00a06\u00a0<\/sup>He\u00a0is\u00a0lodging\u00a0d<\/sup><\/em><\/a>with\u00a0one\u00a0Simon,\u00a0a\u00a0tanner,\u00a0whose\u00a0house\u00a0is\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0sea.\u201d\u00a07\u00a0<\/sup>When\u00a0the\u00a0angel\u00a0who\u00a0spoke\u00a0to\u00a0him\u00a0had\u00a0departed,\u00a0he\u00a0called\u00a0two\u00a0of\u00a0his\u00a0servants\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0devout\u00a0soldier\u00a0from\u00a0among\u00a0those\u00a0who\u00a0attended\u00a0him,\u00a08\u00a0<\/sup>and\u00a0having\u00a0related\u00a0everything\u00a0to\u00a0them,\u00a0he\u00a0sent\u00a0them\u00a0to\u00a0Joppa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apparently, the faith of Cornelius was contagious and there were those of his <\/strong>household<\/strong> and under his command who also honored the God of Israel.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter’s Vision<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 <\/sup>The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, e<\/sup><\/em><\/a>Peter went up f<\/sup><\/em><\/a>on the housetop about g<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the sixth hour2<\/sup><\/em><\/a> to pray. 10 <\/sup>And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into h<\/sup><\/em><\/a>a trance 11 <\/sup>and saw i<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 <\/sup>In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 <\/sup>And there came a voice to him: \u201cRise, Peter; kill and eat.\u201d 14 <\/sup>But Peter said, \u201cBy no means, Lord; j<\/sup><\/em><\/a>for I have never eaten anything that is k<\/sup><\/em><\/a>common or l<\/sup><\/em><\/a>unclean.\u201d 15 <\/sup>And the voice came to him again a second time, m<\/sup><\/em><\/a>\u201cWhat God has made clean, do not call common.\u201d 16 <\/sup>This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 When Peter became very hungry and wanted to eat<\/em> during prayer, he no doubt regarded it as a distraction. Yet, God used it by speaking to him through a vision regarding food. His hunger perhaps made him pay more attention!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 <\/sup>Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what n<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, o<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 <\/sup>and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 <\/sup>And while Peter was pondering n<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the vision, p<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the Spirit said to him, \u201cBehold, three men are looking for you. 20 <\/sup>Rise and go down and q<\/sup><\/em><\/a>accompany them without hesitation,3<\/a><\/sup><\/em> for I have sent them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, God has not<\/em> told Peter that his visitors were Gentiles. Normally, a godly Jew like Peter would not associate in this manner with Gentiles. Knowing this, and knowing Peter\u2019s previous resistance (Not so, Lord!<\/em>), God simply surprised Peter with the knowledge that these men were Gentiles. All Peter needed to know was that the Spirit said, <\/strong>\u201cI have sent them.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 21 <\/sup>And Peter went down to the men and said, \u201cI am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?\u201d 22 <\/sup>And they said, \u201cCornelius, a centurion, an upright and r<\/sup><\/em><\/a>God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by s<\/sup><\/em><\/a>a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and t<\/sup><\/em><\/a>to hear what you have to say.\u201d 23 <\/sup>So he invited them in to be his guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next day he rose and went away with them, and u<\/sup><\/em><\/a>some of v<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 <\/sup>And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 <\/sup>When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and w<\/sup><\/em><\/a>fell down at his feet and x<\/sup><\/em><\/a>worshiped him. 26 <\/sup>But Peter lifted him up, saying, y<\/sup><\/em><\/a>\u201cStand up; I too am a man.\u201d 27 <\/sup>And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 <\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cYou yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew z<\/sup><\/em><\/a>to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but a<\/sup><\/em><\/a>God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 This is one of the shortest, yet most important passages of this section. Peter actually entered the house of a Gentile, something that Jewish customs and traditions strictly prohibited. By entering a Gentile\u2019s home, Peter showed that his heart and mind had changed. <\/strong><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/sup>So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 <\/sup>And Cornelius said, b<\/sup><\/em><\/a>\u201cFour days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at c<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the ninth hour,4<\/sup><\/em><\/a> and behold, d<\/sup><\/em><\/a>a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 <\/sup>and said, \u2018Cornelius, e<\/sup><\/em><\/a>your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 <\/sup>Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.\u2019 33 <\/sup>So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gentiles Hear the Good News<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

34 <\/sup>So Peter opened his mouth and said: \u201cTruly I understand that f<\/sup><\/em><\/a>God g<\/sup><\/em><\/a>shows no partiality, 35 <\/sup>but f<\/sup><\/em><\/a>in every nation anyone who fears him and h<\/sup><\/em><\/a>does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 <\/sup>As for i<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the word that he sent to Israel, j<\/sup><\/em><\/a>preaching good news of k<\/sup><\/em><\/a>peace through Jesus Christ (l<\/sup><\/em><\/a>he is Lord of all), 37 <\/sup>you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, m<\/sup><\/em><\/a>beginning n<\/sup><\/em><\/a>from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 <\/sup>how o<\/sup><\/em><\/a>God anointed Jesus of Nazareth p<\/sup><\/em><\/a>with the Holy Spirit and with q<\/sup><\/em><\/a>power. He went about doing good and healing all r<\/sup><\/em><\/a>who were oppressed by the devil, s<\/sup><\/em><\/a>for God was with him. 39 <\/sup>And t<\/sup><\/em><\/a>we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. u<\/sup><\/em><\/a>They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 <\/sup>but v<\/sup><\/em><\/a>God raised him on w<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the third day and made him to x<\/sup><\/em><\/a>appear, 41 <\/sup>y<\/sup><\/em><\/a>not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as z<\/sup><\/em><\/a>witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 <\/sup>And a<\/sup><\/em><\/a>he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify b<\/sup><\/em><\/a>that he is the one appointed by God to be judge c<\/sup><\/em><\/a>of the living and the dead. 43 <\/sup>d<\/sup><\/em><\/a>To him e<\/sup><\/em><\/a>all the prophets bear witness that f<\/sup><\/em><\/a>everyone who believes in him receives g<\/sup><\/em><\/a>forgiveness of sins h<\/a><\/sup><\/em>through his name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the foundation for Peter\u2019s understanding that the gospel should now go forth to Gentiles. This statement goes completely against the prevailing Jewish thought at that time that God certainly did<\/em> show partiality, towards the Jews and against the Gentiles. In essence, many Jews of Peter\u2019s day thought that God loved the Jews while hating the Gentiles. The Gospel is for evey body. We as believers need to share how the Lord has changed us. <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

44 <\/sup>While Peter was still saying these things, i<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 <\/sup>And the believers from among j<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because k<\/sup><\/em><\/a>the gift of the Holy Spirit l<\/sup><\/em><\/a>was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 <\/sup>For they were hearing them m<\/sup><\/em><\/a>speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 <\/sup>n<\/sup><\/em><\/a>\u201cCan anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit o<\/sup><\/em><\/a>just as we have?\u201d 48 <\/sup>And he p<\/sup><\/em><\/a>commanded them q<\/sup><\/em><\/a>to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salvation came when each one of these Gentiles responded to Peter\u2019s message with believing faith in their hearts, so that they were actually born again as they listened and believed.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":1168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","filesize_raw":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-reading"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6342"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6351,"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6342\/revisions\/6351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mbcnewhaven.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}