The Book of Acts Chapter 10

Unto The Uttermost Part of The Earth Acts 10:1-48

In Matt 16:13-19 we see Peter’s great confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus would go on to tell Peter that “upon this rock will I build my church”, that is upon this great truth, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The church is built upon no less than Jesus Christ. Jesus also told Peter, “I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven”. Peter was present at the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Jews of Jerusalem in Acts 2, Peter was present at the coming of the Spirit to the Samaritans in Acts 8 and now Peter will be present as the Holy Spirit will come to the Gentiles (the uttermost part of the earth) in this chapter, Acts chapter 10.

In Acts 1:8 we saw the 3 divisions of the book of Acts or the divisions of the spread of the gospel. Remember they were found in Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Those 3 divisions being #1 Jerusalem, #2 Judea and Samaria and #3 the uttermost part of the earth. Knowing these facts lets begin.

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He 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. 4 And 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. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7 And 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; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

A. Day One

1. Cornelius

We are introduced in this chapter to a certain man named Cornelius. Cornelius is a Latin name and he is a Gentile. He lives in Caesarea, which is a thriving city where the Roman governor lives. Cornelius, we are told, is a centurion, meaning he is in command of 100 Roman soldiers. It is then conveyed to us that Cornelius is a centurion of the Italian Band. The Italian band is a group of elite soldiers, or a special unit comprised of all Roman men that might be considered a life-guard for the Roman governor and serve as his enforcement. So Cornelius is a highly trusted commander in the Roman Regiments. Cornelius is also considered to be a devout man, a man that feared God, giving alms to the people and praying to God always. This man is not a saved man, but a man that had a desire to learn of salvation.

2. Commanded

One day, as Cornelius was praying, about 3 PM, there appeared an angel of God in a vision. The angel spoke the name of Cornelius and said, “thine alms and prayers are come up for a memorial before God.” Now prayers are a cry of the soul to God and alms are an outward show of love. Remember, Cornelius is not a Jew, but a Gentile. He was considered to be unclean and an outcast to the things of God. Cornelius, even though he was seemingly religious, is not saved nor does he practice the offering of animal sacrifice or circumcision as did the Jew.

The angel instructs, maybe even commands, Cornelius to send men to Joppa, to Simon the tanner’s house, by the seaside and seek for Simon Peter (the apostle of God). Cornelius is told that when Peter is come he will tell what Cornelius ought to do. Immediately Cornelius calls two of his servants and a devout soldier and shares with them the message of the angel and sends them to Joppa.

9 On 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: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now 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, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then 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? 22 And 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. 23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

B. Day Two

1. Servants Journey

We read in verse 9 the phrase “on the morrow”. Therefore, we see this is day 2 and as Cornelius’ servants draw nigh to the city on their journey, we note God is at work in their lives and when God is working on one side of things, He’ll work on the other side as well.

2. Simon Peter

In this same verse we see Peter going upon the housetop to pray around noon- time. Peter became hungry and would have eaten, but the meal was being prepared and was not yet ready. While Peter is upon the rooftop, he fell into a trance.

3. Sheet Let Down

In this trance, Peter saw heaven opened and a vessel likened as a great sheet, knit on four corners, being let down from heaven to earth and upon this sheet was all manner of beasts. Then a voice was heard, telling Peter to rise, kill and eat. But Peter responds “Not so, Lord”....... Peter knew who was speaking to him. “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.” Peter was certainly proud of his answer. If this were a test, Peter thought his answer lined up with God’s Word for a Jew and it certainly did. Please take time to read Lev 11:2-27 as an example of what the Jew can and cannot eat under the Law of God.

But this is not a test, the voice speaks with Peter again and the Bible says that the voice said “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” This was done three times and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Verse 17 tells us that Peter is doubting or maybe thinking what this might have meant. Maybe Peter thinks this will be the end of ceremonial law for the Jews, but he is not clear completely as to what this vision meant. While Peter is thinking let us ponder also what is taking place.

Think for a minute. Peter is at a tanner’s house, the tanner takes dead animal skins and tans them as to make leather. It is here at the tanners house that God chose to show Peter all kinds of animals, clean and unclean, on a sheet together from the 4 corners of the earth. God has shown Peter that all of those clean and unclean animals are now considered clean by God, as God hath cleansed them.

Think where Peter is at again. Peter is at Joppa. Remember it was at Joppa that Jonah went down to and bought a ticket to go to Tarshish, rather than be obedient to God and go to preach in Nineveh. Nineveh was filled with Gentiles !! Joppa was a place where Jonah rebelled against the will of God and Jonah ran off the other way rather than preach to the Gentiles of Nineveh. But we remember God prepared a fish to swallow up Jonah, until Jonah surrendered to the Will of God and cried out “salvation is of the Lord.” When Jonah cried out the fish vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Jonah finally arrived in Nineveh and preached to them and the whole city (Gentiles) repented. Joppa, being significant to Jonah, will also prove to be significant to Peter. God has performed some great things in Joppa through the Apostle Peter, but God is not through with him yet. We will find, once again, at Joppa, that God will cause a Jew to surrender to His Will to send the message of Repentance to the Gentiles.

4. Spirit’s Direction

While Peter is pondering, the servants of Cornelius show up outside the gate of the home of Simon the tanner. Interesting is it not, that the Spirit was working on Cornelius and his servants and the Spirit has been working on the other side of things with Simon Peter. These men who have traveled do not go on in, they know that is not good for Gentiles to go under the roof of the Jews, so they stop outside and make inquiry.

C. Day Three

In verse 23 we find the phrase “on the morrow”, which obviously signifies another day. This next day, day three we will call it, Peter goes with the Gentile servants towards Caesarea. Now in this time of history the Jews would not eat with the Gentiles and right here we find Peter traveling with the Gentiles on a long journey.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And 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. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 And 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, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send 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. 33 Immediately 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.

D. Day 4

1. Waiting

As Peter and the Gentiles are traveling towards Caesarea, we find Cornelius patiently waiting and gathering together his friends, family and neighbors to wait with him. Oh friend, how we should be encouraged to patiently wait on the Lord, Ps 27:14 says “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Ps 62:5 says “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Ps 123:2 says “our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.”

2. Went “in”

Peter, the Jew, enters in, where Cornelius and his group of Gentiles are waiting. Then as Peter comes in, Cornelius fell down at the feet of Peter and worshiped him. But Peter lifts Cornelius up and basically says don’t worship me for I am just a man as you are. Peter has made himself equal with Cornelius. Peter (vs 28) says that God has shown him that all men are equal. Imagine that..... a Jew and a Gentile are equal.....glory to God! In fact when I think about Eph 2:11-19, I am reminded that the Gentiles who were once outcasts are now made nigh by the blood of Jesus Christ. Peter than asks why did you send for me?

3. Witness

Cornelius begins to inform Peter how that God, 4 days ago, spoke to him in a vision about sending for Simon Peter and hearing what Simon Peter would speak unto them. Cornelius basically says, “go ahead and speak for we are all gathered to hear what things are commanded thee to speak from the Lord”

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How 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. 39 And 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: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And 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. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we ? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

E. Discourse

1. Biblical Preaching

Peter begins to open his mouth and preach Jesus. Peter preached the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lets look at little closer at the message Peter preached.

a. Precepts (Vs 34,35)

God is no respecter of persons. The gospel message is come to all nations and to all men. Titus 2:11 says “for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” God will show no favorite NOR will He have any exceptions.

This gospel was preached to the Jew first, but because they rejected Him, now He turns to the Gentiles.

b. Peace (Vs 36-39)

Peter preaches the birth, baptism, business and shed blood of the Lord Jesus via the cruel cross of Calvary.

c. Power (Vs 40)

Peter powerfully proclaims the resurrection of the Lord Jesus on the third day. Jesus had told His disciples in John 10:17 “because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” You see friend it was not possible that death should Him according to Acts 2:24 “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

d. Privilege (Vs 41-43)

Peter announces that he was privileged to see this resurrected Christ, personally and that Peter was called to preach and share the gospel message that Jesus saves. Right here in verse 43, Peter makes that bold proclamation, “whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Praise God, Peter preached Jesus is the way, the only way, for salvation. My friend there are many who say they believe in God, but they reject His Son Jesus. Please take time to read John 5:22,23 with me, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

2. Believing People

While Peter was preaching, those Gentiles that were with Cornelius believed the gospel and were saved. Now Peter had with him some Jews (the circumcision) and they were astonished that the Gentiles were accepted by the Lord in salvation and as the Holy Ghost fell on those that believed, they began to speak in tongues. The tongues spoken were a sign to the Jews that the Lord had received the Gentiles.

3. Baptism Presently

Peter asks those around him “Can any man forbid water that these should be baptized?” No man stopped him and Peter baptized these Gentile believers.

Now the Lord told us in Jn 10:16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Obviously the Lord means that the Gentiles can believe and be saved and will be saved along with the Jews, that believe in Christ.

These Gentile believers are a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, please read Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”