These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- God of the Impossible…
- Impossible to stop…
- The Jews in Damascus [who were his friends] tried to KILL Saul to silence him…
- But the people Saul used to try and KILL – SAVED his life – let him down in the wall in a basket…
- When he got to Jerusalem – NO one from the church dared to meet with him [fear]
- Except Barnabas – who did NOT see who he used to be – he ONLY saw what Jesus had done…
- But when Saul preached to the HELLENISTS they tried to KILL him [same as Stephen]
- And the Lord told him he was going to be sent to the Gentiles – Acts 22:18
- Nothing is Impossible…
- Peter went out to encourage the churches around Judea…
- When he got to Lydda – the Lord healed a lame man – sparking a revival…
- At the same time a DISCIPLE in Joppa named TABITHA died…
- They sent for Peter – who came and PRAYED for her – and she came back to LIFE…
- Peter had seen Jesus do it before – so he KNEW it was POSSIBLE – Mark 5:41
- But then he stayed the house of Simon the TANNER [forbidden] – Leviticus 11:35
- Because God was preparing him for an even GREATER work!
- Impossible to stop…
- 1st – The Gentiles… vs. 1–8
- 1st – Cornelius… vs. 1-2
- Pagan City… vs. 1
- There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius!
- There was [imperfect] a MAN who lived in the city of CAESAREA named CORNELIUS!
- CAESAREA was the port city built by Herod the Great [10 B.C.]
- It was named after Caesar Augustus – and was the seat of ROMAN authority in Judea…
- Almost entirely populated by GENTILES – few Jews lived there…
- Famous for having one of the LARGEST harbors in the Ancient world [ruins there today]
- It has a beautiful THEATRE that looked out onto the Mediterranean sea – Acts 12:20
- And an AQUEDUCT [bridge] that carried water 10km from Mount Carmel into the city…
- The largest building that dominated the skyline [Josephus] – was a TEMPLE to ROMA!
- The point being this was NOT a place where people had heard of Jesus [pagan]
- And it was NOT a place where JEWS were going to go…
- Yet God is NOT limited to the people we KNOW or the places that are FAMILIAR…
- He is moving in the MUSLIM world – in COMMUNIST counties…
- In places where we think there are NO churches – and NO believers!
- Centurion… cs. 1
- A centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment!
- CORNELIUS was a CENTURION [ἑκατοντάρχης] – the leader [ἄρχω] of a 100 men [ἑκατόν]
- From the Italian [from Rome] regiment [600 soldier]
- The ROMAN military had conquered Israel – so the Jews also hated CENTURIONS…
- Yet the Bible seems to always puts CENTURIONS in a positive light…
- Jesus marveled at the FAITH of a CENTURION – Matthew 8:10
- CENTURION at the foot of the cross said Jesus was the Son of God – Matthew 27:54
- It was a CENTURION who saved Paul when he was shipwrecked on Malta – Acts 207:43
- Why does the Bible portray CENTURIONS in a good light…
- To show us that even people we HATE – can be saved by Jesus…
- Which is why we do NOT just tell those we LIKE – we tell EVERYONE – Romans 2:11
- Feared God… vs. 2
- A devout man and one who feared God with all his household!
- CORNELIUS was a man who was RIGHTEOUS [εὐσεβής]
- The same word is used in the LXX for [צַדִּיק] – Isaiah 24:16
- Because he FEARED [present] God [singular] – along with his whole [πᾶς] family!
- Note – NOT the gods [plural] – Rome had TWELVE primary deities [Dii Consentes]
- Meaning CORNELIUS understood that RELIGION could NOT help him…
- Instead he FEARED – because he knew he would one day be JUDGED by the ONE God!
- Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
- Good fruit… vs. 2
- Who gave alms generously to the people – and prayed to God always!
- His FEAR of the ONE God – showed in his ACTIONS…
- CORNELIUS was very GENEROUS with the people – showing them MERCY [ἔλεος]
- And he PRAYED [δέομαι] to the ONE God [singular] continually!
- One might wonder HOW did CORNELIUS know about God – WHO to pray to…
- The answer is the TRUTH was written on his heart – Ecclesiastes 3:11
- Though he did NOT know the name of God [Jesus]
- Through creation – and the conviction of the Holy Spirit – he knew there was a God!
- Romans 2:14-15 – “When Gentiles who do not have the [Word] – by nature do the things in the [Word]… [they] show the work of the law written in their hearts.”
- EVERYONE knows there is a God who will one day JUDGE us…
- Some try to find the solution in RELIGION – hoping to become GOOD through their works…
- But their efforts are USELESS – because the standard is PERFECTION – Matthew 5:48
- Others try and IGNORE their fate – pretend God does NOT exists…
- But like DEATH [that will one day come for us all] ignoring Him does NOT save them…
- The only answer is to SEEK the God who created us…
- Anyone who does – will find that God is also SEEKING them!
- 2nd – The Angel… vs. 3-4
- Afternoon… vs. 3
- About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision!
- CORNELIUS saw [indicative] a VISION in the NINTH hour [3pm]
- The time was important – it was NOT late at NIGHT [might have been drunk]
- It was NOT early in the MORNING – [might have thought it was just a dream]
- The angel came in the AFTERNOON – so Cornelius could be SURE of what he was seeing!
- Answered prayer… vs. 4
- An angel of God Coming in and saying to him: Cornelius.
- And when he observed him he was afraid and said: What is it lord?
- So he said to him: Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God!
- In the VISION – and ANGEL [ἄγγελος] called him by NAME [God knew him]
- As he STARED at the ANGEL in FEAR [ἔμφοβος] – he asked WHAT the Lord [κύριος] wanted…
- The ANGEL told him – because of his MERCY [ἔλεος] and PRAYER [δέομαι]
- God had been THINKING [root – μνάομαι] about him!
- There are around THREE billion people who have NEVER heard the Gospel..
- But that does NOT mean there is NO way for them to be SAVED…
- The ONLY reason people do NOT know God – is because they are NOT looking…
- Anyone who seeks the LORD – will find that God is looking for them!
- Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek Me and find Me – when you search for Me with all your heart.”
- 3rd – The message… vs. 5-6
- Specific revelation… vs. 5-6
- Now send men to Joppa – and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
- He is lodging with Simon a tanner – whose house is by the sea!
- The ANGEL commanded [imperative] CORNELIUS to send men to Joppa…
- They were to look for SIMON – his name means to HEAR [שָׁמַע]
- But he is also called [ἐπικαλέω] PETER [Πέτρος] – meaning ROCK [hard head]
- His names giving us some insight into what was coming next…
- He was a GUEST [ξενίζω] at the house of SIMON the tanner [unclean] – by the sea!
- There are TWO ways that we learn about WHO God is…
- GENERAL revelation – which comes from CREATION…
- We know that there is a GOD because of the world around us – Psalm 19:1-3
- That message goes out to EVERYONE – and is understood in EVERY language…
- SPECIFIC revelation – comes from the WORD of God…
- It is through His WORD we get to know the God who created us – Psalm 19:7-8
- That is where we learn about Jesus – and the GOOD news of the Gospel!
- Why Peter… vs. 6
- [Peter] will tell you what you must do [only in TR]
- God chose to use PETER to give the WORD to CORNELIUS…
- The question is why NOT just have the ANGEL share the Gospel…
- We know that they can – ONE angel will evangelize the world – Revelation 14:6
- The answer seems to be because God was doing TWO things at once…
- He was giving CORNELIUS the message of the Gospel [specific revelation]
- And He was also showing Peter the Gospel was NOT just for Jews!
- This powerfully answers the question so many skeptics ask…
- Since there is only ONE way to get to heaven – through Jesus – John 14:6
- What happens to the person who NEVER hears the Gospel…
- The answer is God can send a MISSIONARY – or an ANGEL – or even a DREAM…
- He is NOT limited to ONE way – if someone is seeking – He will find them!
- God send us to reach the lost – but NOT because He needs us – Esther 4:14
- He uses us because He LOVES us – and wants us to be a part of His work…
- But if we do NOT share the Gospel with someone – God will just use someone else…
- The question is do we decide to a part in the work God is doing…
- When God comes knocking on our door – are we too BUSY to answer…
- Or are we ready to step out in faith and go!
- Not the first…
- CORNELIUS was NOT the first gentile to get to be saved…
- We need to remember the Bible is NOT the history of the world…
- It is the HISTORY of Jesus Christ – it is HIS story!
- The Old Testament focused on the nation of Israel – because Jesus came through Judah…
- But God has always had a heart to see the WHOLE world saved – John 3:16
- And people have been responding to the EVIDENCE of His creation…
- The CONVICTION in their hearts [like Cornelius] from the BEGINNING!
- 4th – Obedience… vs. 7-8
- When the angel who spoke to him had departed. Cornelius called two of his household servants.
- And a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
- So when he had explained all these things to them – he sent them to Joppa!
- When the ANGEL left – CORNELIUS called for TWO servants and a faithful SOLDIER…
- When he EXPLAINED [recounted] everything [πας] that had happened…
- He SENT [ἀποστέλλω] them to Joppa to go and find PETER!
- Notice that even though God sent an ANGEL – there was still a CHOICE…
- CORNELIUS did NOT have to obey – he could have IGNORED the command…
- But instead he did EXACTLY as he was told – he sent MEN to get PETER – Acts 10:5
- The GOSPEL always comes with a CHOICE – Romans 10:13
- Jesus died for EVERYONE – and God want us ALL to be saved – II Peter 3:9
- But He will NOT force ANYONE to go to heaven – we have to CHOSE to OBEY!
- John 1:12 – “As many as received Him – to them He gave the right to become children of God.”
- 1st – Cornelius… vs. 1-2
- 2nd – Not unclean… vs. 9-20
- 1st – Hungry… vs. 9-10
- The rock… vs. 9
- The next day as they went on their journey and drew near the city.
- Peter went up on the housetop to pray – about the sixth hour!
- The NEXT day – as the men sent by CORNELIUS were almost to Joppa [50km]
- God had prepared CORNELIUS to receive the message – now to prepare the MESSENGER…
- PETER [Πέτρος] – the ROCK – note his name is not SIMON [שָׁמַע]
- Because wat was about to happen was going to be VERY hard from him to accept…
- As he went up to the top of house to PRAY at the SIXTH hour [noon]!
- Lunch… vs. 10
- Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat.
- But while they made ready he fell into a trance!
- PETER was REALLY hungry [only here NT]
- And [καί] he wanted [θέλω] to STOP praying so he could go eat…
- But [δέ] was stopped because he saw something AMAZING [a vision about FOOD]
- Jen was gardening – and got frustrated with plants that would not bear fruit…
- Yet there were a couple of plants that did grow – encouraging her to keep trying…
- As she was working – God spoke to her about the church…
- People are like the garden – some just REFUSE to bear any fruit [discouraging]
- But there are some who do grow – and they encourage us to keep going!
- We often think God only uses EXTRAORDINARY means to direct us…
- But God can use ANYTHING – He often uses very ORDINARY means…
- Something as common as working in the garden – or being HUNGRY…
- Our part is to be ready – we never know when a lesson is coming!
- 2nd – The Vision… vs. 11-14
- From heaven… vs. 11-12
- [He] saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners.
- Descending to him and let down to the earth.
- In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth.
- Wild beasts – creeping things – and birds of the air!
- PETER saw a HUGE [μέγας] sheet coming down from HEAVEN [τὸν οὐρανὸν]
- It was tied at the FOUR corners – and filled with ANIMALS…
- There were FOUR footed animals [pigs – horses – camels]
- There were BEASTS [θηρίον] – undomestic animals [bears – lions]
- There were CREEPING animals [ἑρπετόν] – think reptiles and snakes [gecko]
- There were also BIRDS of the air [πετεινόν]
- Unclean… vs. 13
- And a voice came to him: Rise Peter. Kill and eat!
- A voice came to Peter commanding him to get up – kill – and eat [imperative]
- The problem was in the LAW – God divided animals into TWO groups – Leviticus 11
- Clean animals – were allowed to be used for food [cows – chickens – certain fish]
- Unclean animals – were forbidden to be eaten [pigs – shell fish]
- This sheet was filled with ALL kinds of animals – CLEAN and UNCLEAN!
- When I was in Israel – I was able to find black market pork…
- It was only sold at ONE store – and it was hidden in the back…
- Because the Jews are taught from children – they can ONLY eat clean animals!
- Not so Lord… vs. 14
- Peter said: Not so Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean!
- Peter had NEVER eaten anything that was COMMON [κοινός] or UNCLEAN [ἀκάθαρτος]
- Therefore he DISOBEYED the Lord [κύριος] – and REFUSED to eat!
- A lot of people claim they believe in Jesus – call Him Lord…
- But then do NOT do what He commands…
- If we call Jesus Lord [master] – then what He says is NOT up for discussion!
- I John 2:3 – “We can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandment.” [NLT]
- 3rd – Cleansed… vs. 15-16
- Not common… vs. 15
- A voice spoke to him again the second time:
- What God has cleansed you must not call common!
- The VOICE spoke to PETER a SECOND time…
- What God has CLEANSED [καθαρίζω] is NOT common [κοινός]!
- This is NOT the first time PETER had been given this lesson…
- Jesus had taught the DISCIPLES that NOTHING they ate made them UNCLEAN…
- Because ANY food we eat – just passes through us [toilet]
- What makes a person unclean is what comes from their HEART – Matthew 15:18
- Which means are NOT under the LAW be eaten – we can eat it ANYTHING…
- We are NOT less HOLY if we eat blood [dinuguan] – pork [lechon] – or shrimp…
- There is NOTHING that is forbidden to eat – it is all good – it is all FOOD!
- I Corinthians 8:8 – “We cannot win Gods approval by what we eat!” [NLT]
- Three times… vs. 16
- This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again!
- The VISION was repeated THREE times – then the sheet was taken up into HEAVEN…
- If there was a number Peter did NOT like – it was THREE!
- THREE times Peter had betrayed Jesus before His crucifixion – Matthew 26:74
- After the resurrection – Jesus asked Peter THREE times if he loved Him – John 21:17
- Now a THIRD time – Peter was confronted by the number THREE…
- He was PETER [hard head] – and God was trying to get his attention!
- We must never forget – God is PATIENT with us…
- Sometime we have to learn a lesson more than ONCE – before we understand…
- Therefore – we should also be PATIENT with others!
- 4th – Confused… vs. 17-20
- Wondering… vs. 17
- Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant!
- But [δέ] PETER [imperfect] DOUBTED [διαπορέω] the VISION …
- He knew it was from the Lord – assumed God was talking about food…
- Peter was even HOPEFUL [optative] that it meant he could eat anything…
- Maybe he had a secret desire to try PORK…
- But that was NOT the meaning – it had a much deeper purpose!
- The answer… vs. 18
- Behold the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simons house.
- And stood before the gate. They called and asked whether Simon.
- Whose surname was Peter – was lodging there!
- As Peter pondered the vision – the THREE men from Cornelius arrived at his gate…
- They called out [imperfect] asking if Peter [rock] – who is also called SIMON [hear]
- Was a GUEST [ξενίζω] there at the house of the tanner…
- They had to ask more than once [imperfect] – Peter was not anxious to answer!
- This is somewhat understandable – a soldier was knocking at his door…
- What would we do if the police were looking for us by name!
- The anger… vs. 19
- While Peter thought about the vision!
- Peter THOUGHT [ἐνθυμέομαι] about the VISION – in light of the THREE men at the gate…
- The things that God wanted to make CLEAN were NOT animals – it was PEOPLE…
- Peter had always believed that GENTILES could NOT be saved…
- And Peter was NOT open to accepting the idea that God LOVED them too…
- The more he thought about it – the angrier [θυμός] he became!
- The WORD of God is often the exact opposite of what the WORLD preaches…
- WORLD says be rich – the BIBLE says blessed are the poor – Matthew 5:3
- WORLD says to focus on ourselves – the BIBLE says to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
- WORLD says to be strong – the BIBLE says to be weak – II Corinthians 12:9
- It is hard to accept when everything we were taught by the WORLD – turns out to be WRONG!
- Do not doubt… vs. 19-20
- The Spirit said to him: Behold three men are seeking you.
- Arise therefore – go down and go with them doubting nothing – for I have sent them!
- The SPIRIT spoke to him [Simon] – he was now listening…
- There were THREE men seeking him – and the Lord knew his ANGER…
- BUT [ἀλλά] in spite of his reservations – he must [imperative] go to them…
- He was NOT to JUDGE [διακρίνω] them for being GENTILES…
- For this reason [διότι] – God had SENT [ἀποστέλλω] them!
- We will often have doubts in life about what God says – question His Word…
- But in the end we have to make a CHOICE – who do we want to believe…
- Are we going to listen to the WORLD – hold onto what we have always been taught…
- Or are we going to listen to the WORD – and be used by God to reach the world!
- 1st – Hungry… vs. 9-10