Thursday, May 30 - Acts 10

v. 1.  Centurion.   Jesus' life impacted not only the Jews, but also some significant Gentiles.  Jesus heals a centurion's servant in Luke 7.  It is a centurion who utters the words "surely this was a righteous man" at Jesus' crucifixion (Luke 23).  And now it is a centurion again to whom God appears and opens the door for the Gospel to be proclaimed to those outside the household of Israel.

v. 2   feared God with all his household.  Did he have understanding that Jesus was the Messiah?   Perhaps he had heard of the crucifixion and resurrection and had learned about the Messiah through his connection with the Jews.  Now God will reveal to him, through Peter, that Jesus is also his Messiah and Savior.

v.4.  "What is it, Lord?"   The angel of God could certainly have explained about the Messiah to Cornelius, but God chooses to bring this word through the mouth of his trusted disciple, Simon Peter.  It seems it was an important time of enlightenment for Peter and also important for Cornelius to have a human disciple to minister to him and his family.

v.10.  And (Peter) became hungry.   Ahhh.  Here's a sentiment I can relate to!!  Imagine Peter's dismay when God brings before him a feast of foods, but all of them are considered unclean and unedible.  Yet Peter is told to eat these "forbidden" foods because God has redeemed them from their uncleanliness. 

v.16.  This happened three times.   Three would always be a significant number for Peter.  He denied Jesus three times, and later, three times Jesus told him to "feed my sheep."  Once again the number three will indicate God's grace to those who should be unacceptable to God.  Peter, the sinner, is forgiven.  Now Gentiles will be grafted into the people of God.

v.17.   Peter was inwardly perplexed.   "Where is this vision leading me?" Peter wondered.   --  God doesn't leave him wondering for long.  The Spirit tells him to go with the men from Cornelius' house, and soon it become clear to Peter that the meaning of the vision is that God's grace is to be proclaimed to those outside the people of Israel.

v.24.   Cornelius was expectiing them and had called together his relatives and close friends.  Cornelius was a good witness for Christ.  He welcomes his friends and relatives to hear the Good News.

v.25.  Cornelius fell down at (Peter's) feet and worshiped him.   Perhaps he thought Peter was an angel.  But Peter responds immediately with the appropriate response to the worship, giving glory to God and drawing attention away from himself.

v.43.  Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.   As Peter shares the message of Jesus with Cornelius, it becomes clear to him tha salvation is not based on ethnicity or lineage, but on faith in Jesus Christ.  He is pleased to welcome Cornelius into the family of God.

v.44.  the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.  Peter's conclusion is immediately ratified as the Spirit makes Himself evident on these Gentiles.  So Peter takes the next natural step and invites the new believers to be baptized into Christ.  And the words of Christ, no doubt, ring out in his mind,  "Go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS."  What a glorious day this was in the history of the Church.