Acts 10: New Travelers on the Highway of Holiness
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Since the Babylonian captivity, Judah and the land of Judah had been occupied by different foreign powers who had influenced even the remnant of the Jewish religion— the Medes and the Persians, Greece,and now Rome.
But another Kingdom was arising- the Kingdom of the Jewish Messiah— “a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” (Daniel 2:44)
“Cornelius belonged to that class of Gentiles who, illumined by the Holy Spirit, had turned to God from idols, to serve the true and the living God. He was therefore a converted man, for God acknowledged him as such. Of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed assurance of that salvation he knew nothing.” (Arno Gaebelein)
“He knew God as Creator and prayed to Him; the new nature manifested itself in his almsgiving. But he had no assurance of salvation, and he could not have it until he received definite word from God, for assurance comes by the Word of God.” (Ironside's Notes on Selected Books)
“Caesarea”… is “at the northern extremity of Palestine, on the southern slopes of Mt Hermon near the ancient city of Dan. Caesarea Philippi lies in a beautiful area on one of the three sources of the Jordan River, the Wadi Banias.” (Tyndale) It was “situated on the Mediterranean, about thirty miles north of Joppa. It was built by Herod the Great, B.C. 22, and named after his imperial patron. It was a civil and military capital, the residence of the Roman procurator.” (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)
A certain man call “Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment.” “Centurions were non-commissioned officers of the Roman army who each commanded 100 soldiers and were on about the same level of authority as a captain in the United States army. A 'cohort' contained 600 soldiers, and Cornelius' cohort had connections with Italy. [Note: See Barrett, p499.]… Cornelius represents a new type of person to whom the gospel had not gone before, as recorded in Acts. The Ethiopian eunuch was also a Gentile, but the Jews viewed his occupation favorably. There was nothing about his occupation that would have repulsed the Jews. However, Cornelius, in addition to being a Gentile, was a member of Israel's occupying army. The Jews would have avoided him because of his occupation even though he possessed an admirable character and was friendly to the Jews." (Coffman)
He was “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house.” “There is a special significance in the addition ‘with all his house.’ The centurion was not satisfied with having found a higher truth for himself, but sought to impart it to the soldiers and slaves, possibly to those nearer and dearer to him, who came under his influence (Comp. Acts 10:7.)” (Ellicott's Commentary) And he “gave much alms to the people”, “that is, the Jewish people…” (Jamieson, Faucett, Brown), many of whom were poor (Wesley).
Moreover, he “prayed to God always.” Yet he never dreamed that his “prayers and tears would help a world undone.” (Keble,Christian Year)
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 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. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 7 And 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. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
About the ninth hour of the day, “which was the time of the evening sacrifice, when the joint prayers of the Church were ascending as incense.” (Trapp Commentary)
He clearly saw in vision. This was not a dream, nor did it happen in the physical realm. “This was a vision that came in the minds eye of Cornelius. At the same time, it was so vivid that Cornelius would later say, a man stood beside me in bright clothing (Acts 10:30).” (David Guzik)
"An angel of God", sent by Jesus- the Messenger of Jehovah, seen as one with Him in relaying His Message perfectly. “The angels are so enamored of the language that is spoken in heaven that they will not distort their lips with the hissing and unmusical dialects of men, but speak their own, whether there be any who understand it or not.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
He called him by name: “Cornelius!“ But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.'..." (Isaiah 43:1) Cornelius answers: “What is it Lord?” “Lord: Kurioj… Strongs Number: G2962 Orig: from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master... :-- God, Lord, master, Sir.” (Strong’s concordance)“What do you want with me Lord? For he prepares himself to hear.” (Geneva Study Bible)
“Your prayers and your alms…” “The one denotes the spiritual outgoing of his soul to God, the other its practical outgoing to men.” (Jamieson, Faucett, Brown) Your deeds "have come up for a memorial before God..." “This is a borrowed kind of speech which the Hebrews used very much, taken from sacrifices and applied to prayers: for it is said of whole burnt sacrifices that the smoke and smell of them goes up into God's nostrils, and so do our prayers, as a sweet smelling sacrifice which the Lord takes great pleasure in... they (your deeds) will not allow God as it were to forget you: for so the Scripture often talks childish with us as nurses do with little children, when they prepare their tongues to speak.” (Geneva Study Bible)
Cornelius’ “deeds did not save him but they did cause God to take notice of him. God instructed him to send for Peter to learn what he needed to do to be saved." (Charles Box) “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will set thee over many things.” (Matthew 25:21)
Now send men to Joppa. "The ending of the preceding chapter tells us that Peter tarried in Joppa in the house of Simon the tanner. Was he breaking with his Jewish law and customs? Tanning as a trade was considered unclean by the Jews. In Ephesians 2:11-18 we read of the Grace of God to the Gentiles. Up to this time in the Book of Acts we have seen nothing of this gracious purpose, the blessed result of the finished work of Christ on the cross." (Gaebelein) Perhaps his conscience had been bothered and he was thus prepared to receive the Word.
Acts 10: God's Revelation to Peter
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. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
In the eyes of the Jews, Cornelius was an unclean Roman centurion. But in the eyes of God, he was a devout man. And God had instructed him to send men to Peter who was staying at the house of Simon the tanner in Joppa. Peter's primary mission had been the strengthening of the brethern within the church. He had never sought new converts without the doors. So: "Before the servants of Cornelius reached the apostle, God had to break down his prejudices in order that he might be ready to go into a Gentile home to proclaim the gospel message. 'On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew night unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.' The flat roof of a house in the Middle East forms a good place where one may retire in order to be alone for quiet and meditation." (Ironside) And for Peter, being a devout Jew himself, "about the sixth hour" has special significance. It is one of the three times of prayer at the temple in Jerusalem. See Acts 3:1. Moreover, he was on the rooftop, possibly to enable him to see towards the temple- the place which God chose for His name to dwell (Deuteronomy 12:11).
As he prayed, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened. That always follows when a devout man prays. But here, as the heavens opened for Peter, a strange vision comes to him. "Peter is hungry. He sees a sheet lowered down, containing all kinds of animals, reptiles, and wild birds. Many of these are ritually 'unclean' and the [Jewish dietary] law forbids any to eat them. The voice says: 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat!'" (The Bible Study New Testament) Peter refused three times… "'In nowise, Lord' - When God commands a strange or seemingly improper thing, the first objection frequently finds pardon. But it ought not to be repeated. [Yet] This doubt and delay of St. Peter had several good effects. Hereby the will of God in this important point was made more evident and incontestable. And Peter also, having been so slow of belief himself, could the more easily bear the doubting of his brethren, Acts 11:2 , &c." (John Wesley Notes) "Perhaps Peter would suppose that the design of this vision was to instruct him that the distinction between clean and unclean food, as recognized by the Jews, was about to be abolished, Acts 10:17. But the [following] result showed that it had a higher and more important design." (Barnes) God’s dietary law in the Bible are for our good.
17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” 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?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 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.
“After the vision came the interpretation. Peter thought on the vision. This truth of revelation was to become a truth of reason. The Church is to continue its study of the Divine Word till all the truths of revelation become at last truths of reason. Revelation answers its purpose only as it becomes the legitimate property of reason.
Take for example the existence and unity of God. When this truth was revealed to Israel, no man in the native light of reason had a clear perception of it. But the reason has at last been educated up to it. So again with the moral law--the eternal difference between right and wrong. When this truth was revealed to Israel it was in advance of reason. But the reason has been gradually educated up to it. The Incarnation is still in advance of reason. But then is it never to enter reason? It is no more unbelievable to Christians than the unity of God to the Hebrews; and as the latter has passed from the region of mystery to that of reason, so I believe will do the former.
Take again the truth made known in the text--the equality of Jews and Gentiles. At the time it was made it was far in advance of reason. Peter thought on it and believed it; but his whole history shows he had never been able to think right into it and through it. To the last it was to him more of a truth of faith than a truth of reason. But this truth is gradually working its way into the universal reason.
But Peter was not left to unravel the meaning of the vision--the clue was afforded him by the arrival of messengers from Cornelius. God always explains His supernatural revelations by natural events. Providence is the best commentary on the Bible. Just when God was stirring large thoughts in Peter respecting the universality of the gospel, He was also working in Cornelius to send a messenger to the apostle desiring a fuller knowledge of salvation at his hands. God often brings about these secret correspondences. Hardly is there an important discovery made in science but two or three inventors, ignorant of each other’s designs, claim it as their own.” (J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.)
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 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. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
You know how unlawful it is for Jewish man to keep company with or to go to one of another nation... but God hath showed me, "a Gentile is not to be avoided because he is a Gentile; God is now taking down the partition wall which separated them from the Jews." (Clarke) And seekers can sit together in assemblies. And I should not call any man common or unclean, "by nature we are all unclean.” (Trapp) But God cleanses, as well as judges cleanliness. Then Peter expounded on the means of that cleansing.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 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. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 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. 42 And 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. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10: Cornelius' Household is Cleansed By the Word Spoken to Them
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
"While Peter yet spake—With a wonderful, immediate, and self-surrendering faith did these Gentiles embrace every word by Peter uttered, and every heart melted. At once, with a sudden, yet most acceptable abruptness, Peter’s words are interrupted by the rushing descent of the Holy Ghost upon all present. There is, as at Samaria and Ephesus, a pentecostal scene..." (Whedon's Commentary)
Yet there was no evidence of it being the proper time for another on the liturgical calendar. But like the first Pentecost after the ascension of Jesus, they spoke in their own language but the Jews likely heard them in the Hebrew tongue. "The Holy Ghost fell on all that were hearing the word - Thus were they consecrated to God, as the first fruits of the Gentiles. And thus did God give a clear and satisfactory evidence, that he had accepted them as well as the Jews." (Wesley's Notes)
Except on these special occasions, the Spirit came after baptism. "This gift of the Spirit without baptism must be viewed as exceptional, due to a divine intervention in a highly significant situation, teaching that Gentiles may be received into the church by baptism, even when they have not removed their uncleanness through circumcision and sacrifice."
(Beasley-Murray, G. F., Baptism in the New Testament)
Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?- "As if the apostle had argued thus: They that have the grace signified or promised, have a right unto the seal of the promise: but these Gentiles have the grace signified or promised in baptism; they had the inward part, and therefore the outward part could not be denied unto them. He that hath the inheritance, may claim the writings, wax, and parchment that belong unto it."
(Matthew Poole's Commentary)
He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord... that is, in the name of Jesus. In Jesus' command in Matthew 28:16-20, name is singular, as God is One. Baptism is an acknowledgement of the Person of Jesus- baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. "In the name of the Lord, in public acknowledgment of their receiving him as their Saviour, and becoming his disciples."
(Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament)
"Whatever the relationship between baptism and the gift of the Spirit elsewhere in Acts, there appears to be no doubt as to the intention of Acts 2:38; the penitent believer baptized in the name of Jesus Christ may expect to receive at once the Holy Spirit, even as he is assured of the immediate forgiveness of his sins."
(Beasley-Murray, G. F., Baptism in the New Testament)
The one Lord of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) is the Lord Jesus Christ. The one faith is that belief built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. But the one baptism cannot be the baptism of the Holy Spirit. "I have heard people say sometimes that if you are baptized with the Holy Ghost you do not need to be baptized in water. It is not a question of what you need-it is a question of what God has commanded. So Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name, or by the authority, of the Lord Jesus." (Ironside's Notes on Selected Books)
"There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." (1 Peter 3:22-22)
Then they asked Peter to stay a few days in their house. What was to prohibit him; were they all not clean- one in Messiah?