Good morning,
Acts 10 reveals the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, where all believers—regardless of their background—are welcomed and equal. The chapter underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, breaking down long standing barriers and opening new frontiers for the spread of the Gospel. It serves as a powerful reminder that God’s love and salvation are offered to all.
Acts 10
Cornelius’ and Peter
Breaking Barriers: The Gospel Reaches the Gentiles
Cornelius’ Vision (v 1-8)
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.
Cornelius, a God-fearing Roman centurion, sees a vision where an angel instructs him to send for Peter. He sends two of his servants and a devout soldier to fetch Peter from Joppa. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Acts 10)
Peter’s Vision (v 9-16)
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 upon 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 four footed 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.
While the men travel, Peter has a vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals, and a voice commands him to eat. Peter refuses, citing Jewish dietary laws. The voice responds that what God has made clean, he must not call impure. This happens three times. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Acts 10)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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