In chapters 8-10 we have the conversion of one of the descendants of Noah’s sons.
The Ethiopian eunuch was of the line of Ham. Chapter 8.
Saul of Tarsus was a descendant of Shem. Chapter 9.
Cornelius was of Japheth’s posterity. Chapter 10.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all races and cultures.
Peter was given the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Used them in Acts 2 for the Jews.
Is about to use them for the Gentiles. See Matthew 16.
Verses 1-8 The vision of Cornelius.
Cornelius was a military officer.
A centurion—in charge of one hundred men.
Verse 2 He was a devout God-fearing man. He showed great kindness to impoverished Jewish people and always prayed to God.
Verse 3 At about 3 p.m. one day Cornelius had a vision in which he saw an angel.
Verses 4-5 He was afraid. The angel spoke reassuringly of God’s appreciation of his prayers and aims, then told them to send men to Joppa for a man called Peter who was living in the house of Simon the tanner. He will tell you what to do.
Verses 7-8 Immediately he sent off two of his servants.
Verses 9-22 Peter’s vision of the sheet from heaven.
Verse 9 At noon the next day Peter went up to the flat roof of Simon’s house to pray.
Verse 10 He was hungry and would have liked to eat, but the meal was still being prepared below.
Falling into a trance he saw a sheet being let down from heaven. The sheet contained all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, clean and unclean (explain). Law of Moses. See Verse 14.
A voice directed the apostle to arise, kill and eat.
“Not so, Lord” is historic contradiction.
Whoever says “Not so” should never add Lord.
Those who truly say “Lord” will never say “not so.”
Peter said, “I cannot eat anything unclean.” Verse 14
Verse 15 “What God has cleaned, that call thou not unclean.”
This dialogue took place three times.
The implications of this revelation extended far beyond the mere eating of foods.
While Peter was pondering these things the servants of Cornelius arrived. Verses 17-18
Verses 19-20 The Spirit spoke to Peter.
They explained the vision of Cornelius and the purpose for which they came.
Verses 23-33 Peter goes to Caesarea
Peter and his party arrived the following day.
In anticipation of their arrival Cornelius had invited a number of his relatives and friends.
See Verses 25-26.
Verses 27-29 Peter explained that under normal circumstances as a Jew he would not have entered a gentle house. But God had revealed to him that he should no longer think of the Gentiles as unclean or untouchable. Then he asked why they had sent for him?
Verses 30-33 Cornelius explained his vision, then added, “We are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
Verses 34-43 Peter’s message to the gathered Gentiles.
The First Sermon Ever Preached To A Gentile Audience
Read Acts 10:34-48
Salvation through faith. “Keys of the kingdom.”
Give a brief resume of the events of the Chapter.
Verse 34 The universality of the Gospel.
“God is no respecter of persons.” The Syrophenicean woman. The woman who was a sinner.
It is not the color of a person’s skin…nor his social status…but the condition of his heart.
In every nation there are those who accept Him and are saved. The eunuch was in Africa with the Gospel. The Samaritans were being saved. The Church at Antioch was principally Gentile.
Verse 36 “Preaching peace by Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:14 “For He is our peace.” The breaking down of the middle wall of partition.
Romans 5:11 “We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement or reconciliation.”
Describe the difference between atonement and reconciliation.
Atonement—sins are covered—hidden from sight.
Reconciliation—they are cancelled—obliterated—they pass out of existence.
When sins are gone—then there is peace.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“He is Lord of all.” Philippians 2 “God has exalted Him and given Him a name above every name” etc.
Romans 9:5 Christ—“God over all, blessed forever.”
Revelations 19:16—a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelations 1:14-15 “His hair white like wool, white as snow—eyes as a flame of fire—feet like bronze—voice like the sound of many waters.”
Verse 37-39 The life of Christ
From His baptism to His death.
Jesus Christ is a reality. He is the eternal figure of history. He is the pivot on which creation revolves. He is the Source of all blessing.
Verse 39 The crucifixion
“Whom they slew and hung on a tree.”
Mans greatest mistake—God’s greatest moment.
Verse 40 The resurrection
The greatest miracle. Not only was death eniquened but Satan’s power was broken.
“Him has God raised up.”
Verse 40-41 The manifestation
“And showed Him openly.”
He was not seen by the world after the crucifixion.
He was seen by chosen witnesses. See 1 Corinthians 15.
Describe when He will be seen the next time.
Verse 42 The commission Matthew 28, “Go ye into all the world.”
“Preach to the people.”
Verse 42 Christ as the Judge of all men
“He will judge the living and the dead.” Acts 17:31
Because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He has ordained etc.
Verse 43 The Source of salvation
“To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other.”
The result of this sermon.
There were those who heard the Word.
There were those who believed the Word.
These received the Holy Spirit.
Then they were baptized.