The Conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10

1. Lesson 18 Acts, Chapter 10

2. Time Frame (Acts 10) • The Conversion of Cornelius, Chap. 10 • A reference back to Lesson 3 reveals that we have placed the conversion of Paul to approximately 34 AD • After Paul’s conversion, he spent several years in Arabia and Damascus. In 9:43, Peter spent many days in Joppa. In 12:20-24, we read of Herod’s death in A.D. 44 • Time of Cornelius Conv. (A.D. 40?)

3. Caesarea was at this time the usual residence of the Roman governor of Judea, and consequently a garrison of troops was regularly found there. * Caesarea Joppa *

4. God’s Message to Cornelius(1-8) • Information about Cornelius (1-2) • A Centurion of the Italian regiment (100 men) • A devout believer, generous and prayerful • Regardless, He was lost! (cf. Matt. 7:21) • An angel of God appears in a vision (3-6) • God was pleased with Cornelius’ devotion • God instructed Cornelius to send for Peter in Joppa, to come and to preach to him. • “He will tell you what you must do” • Cornelius Obeyed God (7-8)

5. God’s Message to Peter (9-16) • Peter fell into a trance (9-16) • He had gone onto the roof to pray • His hunger was used by God to teach an important principle regarding the Gentiles • The vision: A sheet, containing all types of “unclean” animals (according to the law). • The command to eat resisted by Peter • “What God has cleansed you must not call common” • Done 3 times to establish its significance

6. Peter Summoned to Caesarea (17-23) 1 • Cornelius heeded the angel’s instructions (cf. vs. 8) • He sent 3 men to Joppa to get Peter • Peter was wondering about the significance of the vision (vs. 17) • At this time, the three men came to Simon’s house • The Spirit informed Peter that these three men had been sent by Him (vs. 19-20) • Peter heeded the Spirit and addressed the men

7. Peter Summoned to Caesarea (17-23) 2 • Notice how many times we have verification of God’s involvement in Cornelius’ conversion • Cornelius’ vision; Peter’s vision; Peter’s conversation with the Holy Spirit; Holy Spirit Baptism upon the Gentiles • This underscores that the Gentiles had been received by God (cf. 11:18) • Peter left for Joppa with the men (vs. 22-23)

8. Peter Meets Cornelius (24-33) 1 • Cornelius had invited his relatives and close friends to come and meet with Peter (24) • A wonderful example for us • Cornelius made the mistake of worshipping Peter (25-26) • Honest mistake, but shows his ignorance • We are only vessels (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:5-7)

9. 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”

10. Peter Meets Cornelius (24-33) 1 • Cornelius had invited his relatives and close friends to come and meet with Peter (24) • A wonderful example for us • Cornelius made the mistake of worshipping Peter (25-26) • Honest mistake, but shows his ignorance • We are only vessels (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:5-7) • Peter recognized the significance of the vision he had (28-29)

11. Peter Meets Cornelius (24-33) 2 • Peter’s Question - “For what reason have you sent for me?” (29) • Note: He had already been told by Cornelius’ servants (22) • Cornelius Answer - “We are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God” (33) • Note: (33) “You have done well to come” • This was God’s will!

12. Peter’s Sermon (34-43) 1 • God Shows No Partiality (34) • Some accepted in “every nation” cf. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:8-11 • Terms of acceptance: Fear God; Work righteousness (35) • The message of the gospel (36-43) • Christ is Lord (36) • Note: Gospel was well known, as it was preached throughout Judea (37) • Jesus’ life “went about doing good” (38)

13. Peter’s Sermon (34-43) 2 • The message of the gospel (cont.) (36-43) • Miracles proof that God was with Jesus (38) • The apostles (Peter) were eyewitnesses to the miracles Jesus performed (39) • Jews killed Jesus (crucifixion) (39) • Jesus’ resurrected from the dead (40) (Raised up by God, more proof that Jesus is the Messiah) • Apostle’s witnesses of resurrection (41)

14. Peter’s Sermon (34-43) 3 • The message of the gospel (cont.) (36-43) • Apostles given the command to preach (42) • Message: Christ is the Messiah (as such, the Judge of the living and the dead). (42) • Jesus is the subject of Messianic prophecy (43) • Faith in Jesus brings salvation (43) • Note: Same message as all of the other examples of conversion – The Gospel!

15. The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (vs. 44-48) 1 • In the midst of Peter’s Sermon, the Holy Spirit came (vs. 44) • Fell upon all those “who heard the word” • Most probably, this refers to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ household (vs. 47, 11:15; purpose of the Holy Spirit’s testimony) • Response of the Jews (vs. 45) • Astonished! Heard the evidence

16. The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (vs. 44-48) 2 • Peter’s Response (vs. 47-48) • Gentiles were worthy of receiving baptism (as the Spirit’s testimony revealed). Note: This is strong evidence that Baptism is to become a member of the kingdom! (cf. 11:18) • Cornelius’ Household baptized (vs. 48) • Baptism in the name of Jesus is for the salvation from sins (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)