Breaking down walls

• The Gentiles…
  • At this point in the book of Acts everyone in the church was Jewish…
  • The assumption was to be saved – someone first had to become part of Israel…
  • But there was a Roman CENTURION named CORNELIUS – who lived in CAESAREA…
  • He was a RIGHTEOUS man – who FEARED God – and who prayed continually…
  • One day an ANGEL appeared to him in the afternoon…
  • He commanded him to send men to JOPPA – ask for SIMON [heard] whose name is PETER [rock]
  • Because when someone is looking for God – God is seeking them – Jeremiah 29:13
• Not unclean…
  • The next day as THREE men from CORNELIUS came near to JOPPA…
  • Peter was on the rooftop praying – but he was very HUNGRY [noon time]
  • The Lord gave him a vision of many animals in a sheet lowered down from heaven…
  • ARISE [command] – kill and eat – the Lord said to Peter…
  • He argued with God – he had NEVER eaten anything common – Leviticus 11
  • But the Lord rebuked Peter – he was not to call common something the Lord had CLEANSED…
  • The vision repeated THREE times – then the THREE men showed up at the gate…
  • Calling for SIMON [heard] – PETER [rock] understood what the vision meant!

• 1^st – Obeying the Lord… vs. 21-29
  • 1^st – Confirmation… vs. 21-23
    • What reason… vs. 21
      • Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius and said:
      • Yes I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?
      • Having been instructed by the HOLY spirit to go with these men – Acts 10:20
      • Peter reluctantly went down and told them he was the one [ἐγώ εἰμι] they were looking for…
      • But he wanted to hear from them – WHY had they come…
      • Peter wanted to remove any DOUBT – he was seeking CONFIRMATION!
      • We might be convinced God is speaking to us – directing us…
      • But I think most of us can admit – we have been WRONG before [it was not from God]
      • So there is WISDOM in seeking CONFIRMATION that God is working!
    • Good man… vs. 22
      • They said: Cornelius the centurion – a just man – one who fears God.
      • And has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews!
      • The men were quick to establish WHO was looking for Peter…
      • CORNELIUS the CENTURION – a RIGHTEOUS [δίκαιος] man…
      • The reason he was RIGHTEOUS – he FEARED [present] the ONE and only God [τὸν θεὸν]
      • The proof of his FAITH in the ONE God – his WITNESS [μαρτυρέω] among the Jewish people!
      • There is also WISDOM in considering the source of a message…
      • GODLY people are more likely to give us GOOD counsel!
    • Divine instruction… vs. 22
      • Was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house.
      • And to hear words from you!
      • But it was NOT enough that a GOOD man sought Peter…
      • He was being summoned by the COMMAND of a holy [ἅγιος] ANGEL…
      • Who appeared to CORNELIUS – told him to send for Peter and hear his WORDS [ῥῆμα]!
      • Be careful when someone invokes the THUS says the LORD – be absolutely sure…
      • Because people LIKE to bring God into their arguments to END a debate…
      • We are to TEST what someone says to see what SPIRIT they are of…
      • We take the time to EXAMINE their WORDS – and see if they are TRUE!
      • I John 4:1 – “Test the spirits – whether they are of God.”
    • Accountability… vs. 23
      • Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them.
      • And some brethren from Joppa accompanied him!
      • PETER had them spend the night at the house [it was too late to make the journey]
      • The NEXT day they set out for CAESAREA [50km away]
      • AND – PETER brought with him some of the BROTHERS [ἀδελφός] from JOPPA!
      • It is always a good idea to have ACCOUNTABLE [helps keeps us safe]
      • If we have to make a CHOICE – go SOMEWHERE – do NOT do it ALONE…
      • There is WISDOM in having the counsel for MULTIPLE people we trust…
      • They may have EXPERIENCE – or INSIGHT that we lack – that can help GUIDE us!
      • Proverbs 11:14 – “In the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
  • 2^nd – Clarification… vs. 24-26
    • Not alone… vs. 24
      • The following day they entered Caesarea. 
      • Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends!
      • The NEXT day they came to the city [a two days travel]
      • CORNELIUS was waiting [imperfect] for them to arrive…
      • He brought his close FAMILY [συγγενής] – and all of those whom he LOVED [φίλος]
      • Showing us the heart of CORNELIUS – he was NOT thinking about himself…
      • He had a desire to see his FAMILY and FRIENDS saved too!
    • Just a man… vs. 25-26
      • As Peter was coming in Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
      • But Peter lifted him up saying: Stand up! I myself am also a man!
      • The moment [aorist] PETER came [infinitive] into the house…
      • CORNELIUS fell down at his feet and WORSHIPED [προσκυνέω] him…
      • Understandable – considering an ANGEL had said to LISTEN to him…
      • But [δὲ] – PETER pulled CORNELIUS to his feet – commanding [imperative] him to STAND…
      • Because he was also JUST a MAN [ἄνθρωπος]!
      • There is a temptation to take the credit when God does a work…
      • People tend to look at us and assume that we are different [holy]
      • But one reason why we do NOT often see miracles – is people like to take the credit…
      • We either serve God out of a pure heart – giving all honor and glory to Him…
      • Or we serve ourselves – looking to take the credit for His work!
      • Isaiah 42:8 – “I am the LORD… I will not give my glory to anyone else.”
  • 3^rd – Conviction… vs. 27-29
    • Unlawful… vs. 27-28
      • As he talked with him – he went in and found many who had come together.
      • Then he said to them: You know how unlawful it is.
      • For a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. 
      • Peter walked into the house – talking with CORNELIUS…
      • Only to find a VERY large crowd of GENTILES waiting inside…
      • STARTLED – he kept repeating [imperfect] – to them…
      • They knew it is [present] UNLAWFUL for a JEW to keep company [κολλάω] with GENTILES…
      • UNLAWFUL [ἀθέμιτος] – 2x in NT – does NOT mean it was against the LAW of God [ἄνομος]
      • This was something FORBIDDEN by the traditions [θέμις]of MEN!
      • There is no LAW of God forbidding Jews from fellowshipping with Gentiles…
      • Just the opposite – the Lord desired that Israel be a light to the Gentiles – Isaiah 49:6
      • But the Rabbis ADDED this RULE – and stopped Israel from sharing God with the world!
      • There is a danger to being bound up in TRADITIONS and CUSTOMS…
      • TRADITIONS must always come second to Word of God…
      • Just because everyone else does it – or the Pastor says it – does NOT make it right!
    • Without objection… vs. 28-29
      • But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
      • Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. 
      • I ask then – for what reason have you sent for me?
      • BUT [καὶ] – God had showed PETER that he must NOT call anyone [μηδείς] UNCLEAN…
      • For this reason [διό] – he was willing to break with TRADITION and come…
      • And came without ARGUING [at least not much] – and wondered what they want him to say?
      • We are called to be a LIGHT to the WORLD – Matthew 5:14
      • Therefore we MUST go out and shine among those who do NOT know Jesus…
      • But at the same time we need to be CAREFUL who we keep company [κολλάω] with…
      • The balance comes in who is INFLUENCING who…
      • We want to make sure we are pulling them UP – rather than being pulled DOWN…
      • Peter entered a Gentiles home – but he was there to share Jesus!
      • II Corinthians 6:14-15 – “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”

• 2^nd – Preaching to gentiles… vs. 30-43
  • 1^st – Second time… vs. 30-33
    • Repeated…
      • The story of CORNELIUS and PETER are repeated THREE times in Acts – [also] Acts 11:1
      • When God repeats something more than ONCE [much less three times]
      • It means it is VERY important – and we need to pay ATTENTION!
      • The reason is because often we do not HEAR it – or does not SINK in – the FIRST time…
      • The Bible tells us over and over in the HOPE we will eventually get it…
      • They KEY to grasping TRUTH – is to REPEAT it as many times as needed!
      • Philippians 3:1 – “I never get tired of telling you these things – I do it to safeguard your faith.”
    • Answered prayer… vs. 30-31
      • Cornelius said: Four days ago I was fasting until this hour.
      • At the ninth hour I prayed in my house and behold – a man stood before me in bright clothing.
      • Cornelius your prayer has been heard – your alms are remembered in the sight of God!
      • CORNELIUS retold [imperfect] the story how FOUR days earlier…
      • He had been [imperfect] FASTING [new information] at this time [late morning?]
      • Around 3pm [ninth hour] a man [angel] appeared in BRIGHT clothing [new information]
      • This ANGLE told CORNELIUS this particular PRAYER [singular] had been answered…
      • The suggestion is he had been FASTING and PRAYING for a REASON [to know God]!
      • There is nothing wrong with GENERIC prayers – daily routine…
      • But when we earnestly seek God with SPECIFIC questions – we will get ANSWERS!
    • Listening… vs. 32-33
      • Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here – whose surname is Peter. 
      • He is lodging in the house of Simon a tanner – by the sea. When he comes he will speak to you.
      • So I sent to you immediately – and you have done well to come. 
      • Now therefore we are all present before God – to hear all the things commanded you by God!
      • CORNELIUS recounted the command [imperative] to send for SIMON [heard] PETER [rock]
      • Noting the ANGEL promised when PETER came – he would [indicative] speak…
      • Therefore [οὖν] – SIMON [heard] did GOOD [καλῶς] to come [as the angel said he would]
      • CORNELIUS was VERY familiar with the Jews – and their laws and customs…
      • He knew it was a HUGE step for Peter to be willing to come and share with them…
      • NOW [νῦν] – all the more they were all [πᾶς] excited to hear what God said [προστάσσω]!
      • It would be like going into the house of a MUSLIM family…
      • There is NOTHING that says we cannot – but it feels AWKWARD…
      • The way they DRESS – the DECORATIONS on their walls…
      • Everything about their lives seems FOREIGN to us!
      • Too often we do NOT share Jesus with people – because they are FOREIGN to us…
      • They might be a stranger – or just the person we see at work or school [but do not know]
      • But if we take the time to share – we might find they are excited to LISTEN!
  • 2^nd – Every nation… vs. 34-35
    • No partiality… vs. 34
      • Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality!
      • Finally PETER understood [καταλαμβάνω] a great TRUTH [ἀλήθεια]
      • God does [present] NOT take [λαμβάνω] people at FACE value [πρόσωπον]!
      • Romans 2:11 – “For there is no partiality with God.”
      • God does NOT care if someone is RICH or POOR [status]
      • He does not prefer MEN over WOMEN [gender] – JEWS over GENTILES [nationality]
      • God is NOT looking at the OUTSIDE [face] – He looks at the heart – I Samuel 16:7
    • Whoever fears… vs. 35
      • But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him!
      • BUT [ἀλλά] ANYONE [πᾶς] from anywhere [ἔθνος] who FEARS [present] Him…
      • And therefore works [present] RIGHTEOUSNESS – is acceptable to Him!
      • Revelation 5:9 – “They sang… out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
      • There is NOT one ethnic group [Jews] – or one language spoken in heaven…
      • There is an amazing DIVERSITY in those who WORSHIP the Jesus…
      • A DIVERSITY – that can only be describing ONE group – the CHURCH…
      • That come from every corner of the globe – from ALL [πᾶς] nations of the earth!
      • Romans 10:13 – “Whomever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
  • 3^rd – Simple message… vs. 36-43
    • Preaching peace… vs. 36
      • The word which God sent to the children of Israel.
      • Preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all!
      • With that realization – Peter began to give these GENTILES the Gospel…
      • The WORD [λόγος] that was SENT [ἀποστέλλω] to Israel – the GOOD [εὖ] news [ἄγγελος]
      • Was God gave us PEACE [εἰρήνη] through Jesus Christ – who is Lord [κύριος] over ALL [πᾶς]!
      • Seventeen books of the New Testament open with the words GRACE and PEACE…
      • Because the ONLY way to have PEACE – is by receiving GRACE!
      • Before we were saved – we lived in fearful expectation of Gods WRATH…
      • There was no PEACE in our lives – only the FEAR of death and judgment…
      • But when we put our faith in the GOOD news – made Jesus our Lord…
      • We were FORGIVEN – and we are at PEACE with God!
    • Defining Jesus… vs. 37-39
      • That word you know – which was proclaimed throughout all Judea.
      • And began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached.
      • How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
      • Who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
      • For God was with Him – and we are witnesses of all things which He did.
      • Both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem!
      • CORNELIUS knew [εἴδω] how the story [ῥῆμα] began [preaching of John the Baptist]
      • HOW [ὡς] Jesus from Nazareth – anointed by God – empowered [δύναμις] by the Spirit…
      • Defining Jesus as part of the TRIUNE Godhead [three in one]
      • WHO [ὅς] went around HEALING everyone [πᾶς] overcome by the DEVIL [διάβολος]
      • Revealing the power of God who was [imperfect] with Him – over the enemy…
      • AND [καί] – Peter and the disciples were WITNESSES to ALL [πᾶς] of these things!
    • Plan of God… vs. 39-41
      • Whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
      • Him God raised up on the third day – and showed Him openly.
      • Not to all the people – but to witnesses chosen before by God.
      • Even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead!
      • Here the STORY [mid verse] takes an UNEXPECTED twist…
      • The God who came to bring PEACE – who HEALED – and OVERPOWERED the enemy…
      • Was KILLED by the Jews – who hung Him on a tree [cross]
      • But this was NOT defeat – it was a KEY to VICTORY…
      • Because God raised Jesus up THREE days later – showing He had defeated DEATH…
      • AND [καί] – this was NOT done in SECRET – it was done OPENLY [ἐμφανής]
      • NOT that everyone [πᾶς] saw Jesus – only those God had chosen [hand-picked]
      • Paul tells us that in all there were over FIVE hundred – I Corinthians 15:6
      • WITNESSES [μάρτυς] who ATE and DRANK [not a ghost] with Jesus AFTER His resurrection!
      • The GOOD news is NOT that Jesus died [everybody dies] – it is the resurrection…
      • We have NO need to fear death – it has NO sting for us – I Corinthians 15:55-57
      • We know that it is not the end – far from it – it is the beginning of eternal life!
    • Two ends… vs. 42
      • He commanded us to preach to the people.
      • And to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead!
      • Peter building to his CONCLUSION – presents TWO ends…
      • Jesus had shown He was God – who had power over the ENEMY…
      • He had shown through the CROSS – he had the power over DEATH…
      • BUT [καί] He also commanded the APOSTLES to PREACH to the people…
      • That Jesus is [present] chosen [ὁρίζω] by God to JUDGE [κριτής]
      • FIRST – God will judge the LIVING [ζάω] – the BEMA seat – II Corinthians 5:10
      • SECOND – God will judge the DEAD [νεκρός] – White THRONE – Revelation 20:11-12
      • Knowing EVERYONE [no exceptions] – will be JUDGED [reward or condemned]
      • We PREACH the message of the Gospel – so they might be saved!
      • II Corinthians 5:11 – “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord – we persuade men!”
    • The choice… vs. 43
      • To Him all the prophets witness that through His name.
      • Whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins!
        
      • With the climax of his message – Peter gave the CONCLUSION …
      • Not just his CONCLUSION – this is what ALL [πᾶς] the PROPHETS also testified…
      • ALL [πᾶς] who have FAITH [πιστεύω] in the NAME of Jesus – are FORGIVEN of their SINS!
      • God did NOT make salvation hard – He wants everyone to be saved – II Peter 3:9
      • But it is our CHOICE – life or death – heaven or hell…
      • There are only TWO kinds of people when it comes to God…
      • Sinner who have received the free gift of salvation in Jesus – and are FORGIVEN…
      • For those who reject Jesus His GIFT – and we be CONDEMNED!

• 3^rd – Ends of the earth… vs. 30-43
  • 1^st – Salvation… vs. 44-46
    • Not done yet… vs. 44
      • While Peter was still speaking these words.
      • The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word!
      • While Peter was still speaking these WORDS [ῥῆμα] – his message…
      • The HOLY Spirit fell upon ALL [πᾶς] who heard the WORD [λόγος]
      • Peter was NOT even done PREACHING – and the people were already SAVED…
      • Because the power was NOT his message [ῥῆμα] – it was the WORD [λόγος] of God!
      • Many times we do NOT share the Gospel because we think we lack the right WORDS [ῥῆμα]
      • Or we think that our lifestyle does NOT line up with our message…
      • But it is NOT our WORDS or LIFE that bring people to heaven…
      • It is Jesus [λόγος] – the power of the Gospel is in the His name!
      • Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
    • Evidence… vs. 45-46
      • Those of the circumcision who believed were astonished – as many as came with Peter.
      • Because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
      • For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God!
      • ALL of the Jews [circumcision] who came along with Peter were ASTONISHED…
      • ASTONISHED [ἐξίστημι] – to be knocked off [ἐκ] their feet [ἵστημι]
      • Because [ὅτι] God had given the GIFT [δωρεά] the HOLY Spirit to the GENTILES [ἔθνος]
      • It was a gentile PENTECOST – as they began to speak in other languages – Acts 2:4
      • It is easy to raise our hand – say that we believe in Jesus…
      • But when someone is SAVED – we will see IRREFUTABLE evidence…
      • There will be a change in heart – in their actions – to validate the work of God!
  • 2^nd – Baptism… vs. 46-48
    • No arguments… vs. 46-48
      • Then Peter answered: Can anyone forbid water.
      • That these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?
      • And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord!
      • Peter answered the work of God with a question…
      • Who could DENY these GENTILES the right to be BAPTIZED…
      • Seeing how they had received the HOLY Spirit just as the Jews had [same evidence]
      • Therefore – he commanded them to be BAPTIZED in the name of the Lord [κύριος]!
      • I am often asked WHO can be BAPTIZED…
      • The simple answer is – anyone who shows a life TRANSFORMED by Jesus…
      • It does NOT matter who we were – or if others THINK we are worthy…
      • If the POWER and work of the SPIRIT is evident – we need to get into the WATER!
    • New Home… vs. 48
      • Then they asked him to stay a few days!
      • One of the most amazing results of this incredible event – is in this last phrase…
      • The GENTILES asked the JEWS to ABIDE [ἐπιμένω] with them for a few days…
      • The same people who PETER did NOT want to go into the house with…
      • Had now become FAMILY – and their house – his HOME!

Ephesians 2:14 – “He Himself is our peace – who has made both one – and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”