Acts 10:1-23
Q.1. What kind of a man was Cornelius? Why was he visited by an angel? What message was he given? How did this relate to God’s Gospel plan? – (Acts 10:1-8 c.f. 1:8)
Cornelius was a Roman centurion – a devout man and one who feared God with all his household and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually (Acts 10:2). He was generous and godly, and as a Jewish proselyte, would have had a knowledge of the Scriptures. God sent an angel to him, because – …Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). He was given specific instructions to send for the apostle Peter. Connected to Judaism, Cornelius was still in darkness. God was going to miraculously open up the Gospel to this Gentile and his family, in keeping with the commission of the apostles (Mt.28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
Q.2. How did God prepare Peter for his mission? What was Peter’s response to God’s command? What explanation did God give? – (Acts 10:9-16)
At this time, Peter had no intention of sharing the Gospel with the Gentiles. He had been praying at midday and was hungry. As he was dozing off, God spoke to Peter in a vision, challenging his prejudice against the Gentiles. This came via a dream in which Peter was urged to kill and eat unclean animals. He responded that he had never eaten anything unholy and unclean (Acts 10:9-14). However, God told him – … “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”(Acts 10:15). Since the dream was so significant, it was repeated three times.
Q.3. Did Peter understand the vision? How did God further direct him? What was unusual about Peter’s response to these Gentiles? – (Acts 10:17-23)
At first the vision confused Peter. Then – 19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.”(Acts 10:19-20). The three men sent by Cornelius explained about their master, and their mission from the angel. Peter understood the message and gave hospitality to the Gentiles (Acts 10:22-23). Later, those of the circumcision would disagree with Peter over this issue (Acts 11:2-3).