Sunday, August 27, 2017

Transcription

1 Sunday, August 27, 2017 Lesson: Acts 10:19-33; Time of Action: 35 A.D.; Place of Action: Caesarea Golden Text: And he (Peter) 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. I. INTRODUCTION. In this week s lesson, a Gentile s conversion and Peter s vision came together in great force, indicating that God s gracious promises were now to be extended to the Gentiles, or non-jews. Until Acts chapter 10, the believers made no attempt to include Gentiles in sharing the gospel. Paul had been chosen by God to bear the Lord s name to Gentile peoples, but it remained for Peter to first open the way. Gentiles, who were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God (see Ephesians 2:12), according to God s plan, were now to be included in the gospel. I have never seen a vision, but many times I have sensed the Holy Ghost prompting me to do something or say

2 something. In this lesson, God gives visions to two men, causing them to meet. The result was an expanded outreach for the early church. II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. After the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the church in Jerusalem enjoyed a time of peace, encouragement and growth (see Acts 9:31). During this time, Peter was traveling through all the areas around Jerusalem, and he stopped to visit the believers who lived in Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for the past eight years. Peter healed him in the name of Jesus and when all the people living in Lydda and on the plain of Sharon saw him, they decided to follow the Lord (see Acts 9:32-35). Then while in the city of Joppa there was a follower of Jesus named Tabitha, who became sick and died. The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, which was not far away. So they sent two men, who begged him, to come quickly. When he arrived, Peter sent all the people out and He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to Tabitha s body and said, Tabitha, stand up! She opened her eyes and he helped her stand up showing the other believers that Tabitha was alive. People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for a while at the home of a man named Simon, who was a tanner or leatherworker (see Acts 9:36-43). Then in chapter 10, we are

3 introduced to Cornelius, who was a Roman soldier, a centurion in charge of 100 men. He lived in Caesarea and was a devout or religious man, and everyone who lived in his house were worshipers of the true God. He also gave much of his money to help the poor, and always prayed to God (see Acts 10:1-2). Probably seeking more understanding than he already had, one afternoon about the ninth hour (about 3:00 pm), Cornelius was praying and in a vision an angel appeared to him and told him to send for a certain Simon Peter who was residing in Joppa, about thirty miles down the coast from Caesarea. Immediately Cornelius sent three men to Joppa to bring Peter to him in Caesarea (see Acts 10:3-8). The next day as the men came near Joppa, Peter was praying on the housetop at about the sixth hour or 12:00 noon, and he became very hungry (see Acts 10:9-10). He fell into a trance and a sheet was let down before him from heaven with all kinds of unclean animals in it. Peter then heard a voice telling him to get up, and kill anything here and eat it. Peter refused to eat any of the animals saying that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. But the voice said to him again, God has made these things clean. Don t say they are unfit to eat. This happened three times. Then the whole thing was taken back up into heaven (see Acts 10:11-16). Note: According to the Mosaic Law, Jews were forbidden to eat certain foods (see Leviticus 11:1-43). The food laws made it difficult for Jews to eat with Gentiles without risking being defiled. In fact Gentiles themselves were considered unclean. Peter would soon learn that his vision meant that he shouldn t look upon the Gentiles as inferior people whom God would not redeem. As Peter wondered what the vision meant, the three men

4 appeared at the door and asked if Simon was staying there (see Acts 10:17-18). This is where our lesson begins. III. THE CLARIFICATION OF PETER S MISSION (Acts 10:19-23) A. The Holy Spirit s Direction (Acts 10:19-20). 1. (vs. 19). Our first verse says While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. He had just seen a strange vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals that was lowered in front of him three times. Each time a voice commanded Peter to kill and eat the animals the law prohibited Jews to eat. Thus, the apostle was thoroughly perplexed. It s easy to understand how he may have been confused by an evidently divine contradiction, a heavenly voice commanding him to disregard food laws that God Himself had given to Moses for Israel. So, we are told that as Peter was thinking about the meaning of all this the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. The word Behold means Look! However, it appears that the Holy Spirit s use of the word Behold was intended to take Peter s mind off the vision and focus on the three men who were looking for him. In Acts 10:7, we are told that these three men were two of Cornelius servants and one of his soldiers. 2. (vs. 20). This verse goes on to say Arise

5 therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. The Holy Spirit then told Peter to Arise therefore, and get thee down. Remember, Peter was on the rooftop praying, so in order to meet the three men who were looking for him, he needed to get off his knees and come down from roof. The Spirit then commanded Peter to go with them, doubting nothing. The words doubting nothing mean without hesitation or without any reservations. In other words, the Holy Spirit was telling Peter that he shouldn t hesitate or worry about going with the men because He said I have sent them. Peter, like any other Jew was taught that Jews and Gentiles didn t mingle with one another (see John 4:9). Therefore, it was necessary that the Lord say to Peter I have sent them to assure him that it was okay to go with the men. B. Peter s greeting (Acts 10:21). This verse says 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? Having been on the rooftop and now in obedience to the Spirit of God, Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius. We are introduced to Cornelius in Acts 10:1-3 where he is described as living in Caesarea and was a Roman army officer, a centurion, in an Italian regiment. He was a godly man, deeply reverent, as was his entire household. He gave generously to charity and

6 was a man of prayer. While wide awake one afternoon he had a vision it was about three o clock and in this vision he saw an angel of God coming toward him. This Roman army officer was the one who sent the three men to Joppa for Peter in obedience to the vision he received. When Peter greeted the three men he said Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause (or reason) wherefore ye are come? In other words, once Peter came down from the roof top, he said to the men I am the one you are looking for. For what reason have you come? Peter didn t know why these men were there looking for him, so he asked them. In Peter s vision, the Holy Spirit had not told him that the men were coming, nor the reason why they were coming to see him. The Holy Spirit only told him that the men had arrived and to go with them without hesitating. C. The visitor s explanation (Acts 10:22). This verse continues to say 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. In response to Peter s question, first the men identified the one who had sent them. It was Cornelius the centurion. As a centurion, he commanded 100 soldiers. The men then went on to describe the character of Cornelius. First, they said he was a just man or an upright and honest man. Second, he was one that feareth God. The words feareth God mean that Cornelius reverenced Israel s

7 God even though he was a Gentile, not a Jew. In addition, he had a good report among all the nation of the Jews meaning that he had a good reputation and was well thought of by the Jews. Note: Although Cornelius had all these good qualities, he was not saved. Too often both saints and sinners seem to think that our good works and good reputation are enough to gain God s favor. But even our best works will fall short of what God demands (see Micah 6:8). Our Christian faith is based solely on God s grace through the work of Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Then the men gave Peter the reason why Cornelius had sent for him. They said they were there because the centurion was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee (Peter) into his house, and to hear words of thee. The messengers declared that Cornelius the centurion, had been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for Peter and ask him to come to his house so that he could hear what Peter had to say (see Acts 10:3-6). Later when Peter reached Cornelius s home, we learn that his words for the centurion to hear was the gospel of Jesus Christ His life, death and resurrection (see Acts 10:34-43). Later, as Peter gave his testimony before the Pharisees, he told them that he had preached to Cornelius words whereby thou and all they house shall be saved (see Acts 11:14). D. Peter s hospitality (Acts 10: 23). This verse says Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain

8 brethren from Joppa accompanied him. Although Peter was staying in the home of Simon the tanner in Joppa (see Acts 9:43) and was a guest there, the statement Then called he them in, and lodged them implies that Peter acted as the host for the three visitors offering them lodging for the night. Since Peter hadn t eaten because he was interrupted by his vision (see Acts 10:9-10), he probably provided food for these men as well. The visitors stayed overnight for we are told that on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. After a night s rest, the next day Peter went with the three men, taking with him some other brethren or believers also from Joppa. IV. PETER S ARRIVAL AT CAESAREA (Acts 10:24-27) A. The journey completed (Acts 10:24). Our first verse says And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. The phrase And the morrow after refers to the next day. The group probably traveled by foot and the next day they arrived in Caesarea which was also a seacoast city like Joppa, and about thirty miles separated the two cities. It was the military headquarters for the Roman army in Palestine or Israel. While waiting with great anticipation for Peter s arrival, Cornelius called together his kinsmen and

9 near friends. This had to be a preacher s dream come true! People were actually waiting eagerly to hear the gospel. As any preacher knows, finding such an audience is very rare. But even more special was the fact that here was a group of highly educated Roman citizens waiting anxiously to hear what Peter, a Jew had to say to them. God is truly amazing! Note: Although Luke describes Cornelius as a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always (see Acts 10:2), one might think that he and those in his household were saved, but they were not. Like many other Gentiles in that day, Cornelius had forsaken idol worship or paganism and had accepted the God of Israel, but he had not become a full proselyte or convert to Judaism. Merely accepting the God of Israel does not save anyone. God s plan has always been that salvation comes through faith in His only begotten Son (see Mark 16:15; John 10:7-9; Acts 2:21; 4:10-12; 16:30-31; Romans 5:8-10; 10:8-13). We cannot fully know God without knowing the Son, Jesus Christ (see Matthew 11:26; Luke 10:22; John 14:6). B. Worship refused (Acts 10:25-26). 1. (vs. 25). This verse says And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. When Peter finally arrived at the house of Cornelius, this devoted Gentile met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. This response

10 from Cornelius indicated that he had great respect and reverence for Peter as a messenger of God. It was customary in the Middle East for people to prostrate themselves before dignitaries of honorable position, thus showing respect. However, for a Roman officer to prostrate himself before a Jewish subject was to say the least, most unusual. 2. (vs. 26). This verse says But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. The apostle responded to the recognition Cornelius showed him by helping him up while telling him to Stand up; I myself also am a man. The Apostle Peter took hold of Cornelius and helped him to his feet. Whatever thought was behind Cornelius s act, Peter didn t want any mistake made about his position. He made it perfectly clear that he, like Cornelius was just a man and was not deserving of personal glory. All that Peter was and ever hoped to be, he owed to the Lord; he was only God s servant. Note: We are taught in the New Testament that church leaders are to be respected (see Philippians 2:25, 29; Hebrews 13:7, 17), but worship is reserved for God alone. No person or other created being is worthy of what belongs to God. Not even angels are to be worshiped (see Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22: 8-9). Unlike some church leaders both in ancient times as well as today, Peter wouldn t allow anyone to bow before him in reverence.

11 C. An audience gathered (Acts 10:27). This verse goes on to say And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. After Cornelius stood up, he (Peter) talked with him and they both went into Cornelius s house and found many that were come together. Those present included Cornelius s kinsmen and near friends (see Acts 10:24). Realizing that this was a unique opportunity, Cornelius had made sure that all the important people in his life were present. Are you concerned about the salvation of your friends and family? Note: Entering the room where the invited guests had gathered, Peter must have been surprised to find so many had come to hear him. But there they were a large company of God-fearing Gentiles. What a grand opportunity God had given Peter. In His own way and time God brought Peter, the persistent Jew, and this company of Gentiles together so that they could hear His message. V. PETER S INTRODUCTION TO HIS AUDIENCE (Acts 10:28-33) A. Peter s review (Acts 10:28-29). 1. (vs. 28). This verse says And he (Peter) 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

12 of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Peter reminded his Gentile audience of what they already knew. He said 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. Even though Peter referred to his coming to Cornelius home as unto one of another nation, meaning Gentiles, and as unlawful, does not mean that he was breaking a clearly stated Mosaic Law. The word unlawful should be understood as meaning against the prevailing custom or tradition. Note: The Mosaic Law didn t forbid Jews to visit or keep company with Gentiles (non-jews), although the food laws of Judaism would often keep them from eating with Gentiles. What the Law did command was for Israel to destroy all of the peoples who lived in the Promised Land once God brought them into it (see Deuteronomy 7:1-2). More particularly, Israel was to destroy all signs of idol worship. In commanding this, God was protecting His people from being ruined by the idolatry and immorality of their enemies. The Law did prohibit Jews from marrying Gentiles (see Deuteronomy 7:3-4) which would also hinder social contacts between Jewish and Gentile young people. However, in time, rabbinical Judaism (rules added by Jewish rabbis) declared that all social relationships with non-jews was unacceptable and therefore, as Peter suggested was unlawful. But during His own ministry, Jesus associated with both Gentiles, or non-jews as well as the outcasts of society (see Matthew 8:1-11; 9:10; 15:21-28; Luke 15:1-2; 19:1-10; John 4:4-9). Now, at this point, Peter no doubt

13 understood the meaning of the vision he had in Joppa. He declared God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. God was showing Peter, who was learning quickly, that His plan was to include Gentiles in His kingdom. The words common and unclean were often used by Jews to describe Gentiles. This was probably due to the fact that the Jews considered themselves as special since they were God s chosen people (see Deuteronomy 7:6). However, they failed to realize that they hadn t done anything to earn that position, and would still be punished if they were ever disobedient (see Deuteronomy 7:7-11; 28:15-48). 2. (vs. 29). Peter continues to say in this verse 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? The word Therefore refers back to Peter s words in verse 28 where he declared that God was showing him that he shouldn t call any one common or unclean. Obeying God s command in the vision, Peter said came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for. The phrase without gainsaying means without objection. Peter didn t object to God s command to go with the men sent by Cornelius (see Acts 10:19-20). Peter knew that he belonged there, because the Holy Spirit directed him to go, but he was still not completely sure what God wanted him to do. Therefore, he asked what intent ye have sent for me? In other words, he wanted to know the reason why Cornelius sent for him. It s clear that Peter wasn t going to assume anything about what was clearly a divine mission. Note: It s unlikely that we will

14 experience dramatic witnessing opportunities like Peter, but we should see every opportunity to share Jesus Christ as being directed by God. Real dramatic opportunities when they happen may clearly reveal the hand of God. However, some witnessing opportunities may only bear fruit much later, especially those times when we may never see a person again. We may never know whether or not our testimony was effective until we get to heaven. Nevertheless, we should take advantage of every opportunity to serve the Lord in word and deed, knowing that our labor is not in vain (see I Corinthians 15:58). B. Cornelius s explanation (Acts 10:30-32). 1. (vs. 30). This verse says 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. In response to Peter s question as to why he was sent for, Cornelius recounted what had happened to him Four days ago. At that time, he said I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house. Cornelius had been fasting until the ninth hour or 3:00 pm. This Roman centurion was probably fasting and praying about his spiritual condition: his relationship with God. The ninth hour or 3:00 pm was one of the regular times devout Jews prayed. The fact that Cornelius, who was a Gentile and not a Jew was praying at the same times Jews prayed,

15 indicates that he was following the Jew s religion, but had not become a proselyte or convert to Judaism. Note: Luke along with the other synoptic gospel writers, Matthew and Mark, use Hebrew time beginning with sunrise or 6:00 am, and 7 am would be the first hour making 3:00 pm the ninth hour. On the other hand, John uses Roman time with the hours starting at 12 midnight and 12 noon (see John 19:14) as is done today. We know this because of the care with which the Gospels specify particular hours in relation to the crucifixion of Jesus. Our Lord was put on the cross at 9 am (the third hour according to Mark 15:25); darkness was over the land from noon until 3 pm (the sixth till the ninth hour according to Matthew 27:45-46; Mark 15:33-34; Luke 23:44). John writes that Pilate presented Jesus before the crowd at the sixth hour (6 am Roman time) and Mark writes that Jesus was crucified at the third hour (9 am Hebrew time). If all the Gospel writers used Hebrew time then there would be no way that Jesus could be crucified before He was presented to the crowd. At 3 pm when Cornelius began to pray, he said behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. In Acts 10:3, Luke identified this man that stood before the centurion in bright clothing as an angel. The fact that Cornelius called the angel a man simply means that the angel had the appearance of a man, a form angels often took (see Matthew 28:2-6; Mark 16:5-6; Luke 24:2-7; John 20:11-13). 2. (vs. 31). In this verse, Cornelius continued to recount the revelation he had saying And (the angel) said,

16 Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. The angel informed the centurion that thy (his) prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Not only had God honored the heart attitude of this centurion, He also commended him for his alms. This refers to Cornelius s generosity to the poor which also revealed something about his heart. He was selfless, not selfish. The angel also said that Cornelius heart and works were in remembrance in the sight of God another way of saying that God saw his lifestyle. Even though at this point Cornelius didn t know much about Jesus, he was doing what Jesus taught according to the Apostle Paul: It is more blessed to give than to receive (see Acts 20:35). Note: Luke does not tell us what Cornelius prayed for, but it must have been about his salvation. Even though he was a devout worshiper of God and gave to the poor, the centurion must have felt spiritually empty as if something was missing. His life indicated that he had committed himself to God, but he hadn t heard or trusted the saving gospel. We shouldn t take the statement the angel made about his prayer and alms to mean that Cornelius had earned divine favor, because he was still not saved (see Acts 11:13-14). Instead, it means that God had taken note of his devotion, was attentive to his need and now would tell him how his need could be met. His search for truth was pleasing to God. 3. (vs. 32). Still recounting his angelic revelation, in this verse Cornelius went on to say that the angel

17 said 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. The angel not only assured Cornelius that his prayer was heard and his alms were accepted by God, he also gave him specific instructions. Cornelius was instructed to Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter. The city of Joppa was a seaport city that was a little more than thirty miles south of Caesarea, Cornelius home town. The phrase call hither Simon, means that the men sent to Joppa were to tell Simon to come back with them to Caesarea. Simon s surname which means another name was given to distinguish him from the man with whom he was staying in Joppa. The surname or other name of the Simon he was to send for was Peter. The angel told Cornelius that Peter is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side. In other words, Simon Peter was staying with another man named Simon, who was a tanner or leather-worker and had a house beside the sea. The angel also gave Cornelius a promise when he said who, when he (Peter) cometh, shall speak unto thee. Earlier, when Cornelius was actually having this revelation that he was recounting to Peter, the angel told him that Peter shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do (see Acts 10:6). Note: The fact that Peter was staying with a tanner is somewhat surprising because tanners were considered ceremonially unclean because of their contact with dead animal bodies. But staying with someone whose occupation caused them to be looked upon as unclean was part of God s preparing

18 Peter to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, people who were different from the Jews. Peter had already seen the Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit, and had preached in their village (see Acts 8:14-17, 25). He also toured Palestine, performing miracles of healing, and he had restored a woman to life at Joppa (see Acts 9:32-43). All of this would suggest that Peter was perhaps not as legalistic as most Jews. C. An invitation to speak (Acts 10:33). In our final verse, Cornelius went on to say 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. Cornelius told Peter that after hearing from the angel Immediately therefore I sent to thee. Earlier, when Cornelius was experiencing this angelic revelation, it appears that as soon as the angel departed, Cornelius called two household servants and a faithful soldier, told them of his vision, and sent them to Joppa for Peter (see Acts 10:7-8). This immediate response shows just how desperately Cornelius wanted to fill the spiritual void in his life. Note: Little did Cornelius know that at the same time the Lord was preparing Peter for their encounter. This was not a chance meeting. Through the thricerepeated vision of the great sheet, God taught Peter that he shouldn t call common or unclean what God has cleansed (see Acts 10:9-16). God then told Peter to go with his visitors (see Acts 10:17-20). Cornelius

19 commended Peter for coming when he said and thou hast well done that thou art come. With those words Cornelius was showing Peter his appreciation. Finally, Cornelius said to Peter, Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. The fact that they were all gathered there before God meaning in God s presence, indicates that this was no ordinary gathering. It was a solemn assembly for everyone involved, both for Peter, who was about to preach, and for those gathered and eagerly waiting for his message. It would be so wonderful if all of our gatherings for worship were done with such eagerness on both sides of the pulpit. The scene was set, both parties had been prepared and the messenger had come. Now this audience was ready, as Cornelius told Peter, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. In light of everything that had happened up to this point, Cornelius fully believed that Peter would give this large assembly (see Acts 10:27) words from God, and he did (see Acts 10:34-43). We call it the gospel of Jesus Christ! VI. Conclusion. How eager are we to do as Peter did? If someone different from us came into our church, maybe a person of a different race or nationality, and received Jesus Christ, how would we respond? God wants us to learn the same lesson He taught Peter. We as Christians should lead the world in ending discrimination, for our God sent His Son

20 to die for all. All who respond to Him with faith are in the same family as we are. That s worth learning about! ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***