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Lesson 14 : The Gospel Spreads and Converts the First Gentiles to Christ (10:1-11:18)

Please pick up a handout from the table in the back of the auditorium for class this morning. Lesson 14 : The Gospel Spreads and Converts the First Gentiles to Christ (10:1-11:18). I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study.

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Lesson 14 : The Gospel Spreads and Converts the First Gentiles to Christ (10:1-11:18)

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  1. Please pick up a handout from the table in the back of the auditorium for class this morning. Lesson 14:The Gospel Spreads and Converts the First Gentiles to Christ (10:1-11:18)

  2. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Cornelius was instructed by God to send for Peter to hear the gospel message (10:1-8). • Cornelius lived in Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman government in Palestine. • 30 miles N of Joppa & about 70 miles NW of Jerusalem • Centurion—an officer who commanded 100 soldiers under him • Part of the Italian Regiment/Cohort, consisting of 600 soldiers • Cornelius was a godly man, whose piety is given much detail in Scripture (10:2-3). • At the 3:00 p.m. hour of prayer (10:30), an angel appeared to Cornelius (10:3; 11:13). • Cornelius was “divinely instructed…to summon” Peter (10:5-6, 22) • Peter would speak words by which he could be saved (11:14)

  3. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • It is possible to be a devout, godly and religious person, and still be lost (10:1-6; 11:14). • God gave tremendous detail about Cornelius’ godly character to prove this point. • Cornelius was reverent, feared God and renounced idolatry, but he was lost (10:2). • Cornelius was a strong family man & generous toward others, but he was lost (10:2). • Cornelius prayed to God always and even fasted, but he was lost (10:2, 30). • Cornelius was righteous, just and had a good reputation, but he was lost (10:22). • Cornelius was evangelistic, compliant and humble, but he was lost (10:24-25, 33). • While very godly, spiritual and devoted to God, Cornelius was not saved (11:14).

  4. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The prayer of a sinner will not save him, but God does know the heart (10:4, 30-32). • An alien sinner is not saved by praying, which Saul and Cornelius both prove. • Cornelius’ prayers and alms were known by God (10:4, 31), but he was lost (11:14). • God is aware of sincere hearts & is moved by honest, seeking souls (cf. 16:9; Jn. 7:17).

  5. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • The day after Cornelius’ vision, Peter saw a vision from heaven (10:9-23; 11:4-12). • Peter was shown all kinds of animals & told to eat (10:11-13). • Peter refused to eat anything ceremonially unclean to a Jew (Lev. 11:4; Deut. 14:3-7). • Peter did not understand that the Law of Moses was no longer binding (Col. 2:14). • He was shown the vision 3 times to establish it was from God & that it would happen. • Peter continued to be perplexed to explain the vision (10:17). • He made the right connection that the animals in the sheet were people (10:28). • The Spirit told Peter to go with Cornelius’ men, without doubting (10:20; 11:12).

  6. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Peter went to Caesarea, to the home of a Gentile, with six fellow Jews (10:24-33; 11:12). • Four days after his vision, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and friends (10:24). • Peter told them it was unlawful (acc. to Jewish custom) for him to be there (10:28). • From Cornelius’ explanation, Peter realized God had been working on both sides. • Peter was to speak “all the things commanded…by God” to be saved (10:32-33; 11:14).

  7. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Peter preached to the Gentiles about Jesus Christ and the universal gospel (10:34-48). • The Lord had opened Peter’s eyes through the sheet vision & now through Cornelius. • The same gospel Peter had preached to the Jews was what he preached to Gentiles. • To confirm to Peter God’s hand in these events, the Spirit visibly fell on the Gentiles. • The same command to be baptized, that Peter gave the Jews, he gave the Gentiles.

  8. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The gospel is for all! • God does not show partiality based upon the external (10:34; cf. 1 Sam. 16:7). • “Every nation” has the opportunity to be “accepted by God” (10:35). • The conditions are the same for all, and anyone (i.e., “whoever”) may obey. • Fear God and work His commandments steadfastly (cf. Ecc. 12:13; Ps. 119:172). • Jesus is the Lord of all, having rightful authority over all (10:36). • Therefore, all people (saint and sinner) are amenable to the authority of Christ.

  9. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The gospel is for all! • Jesus came for, lived for, was killed for and was raised for all people (10:37-41). • The gospel is to be preached to “all people,” for He will judge all people (10:42). • The opportunity to be saved through His name is given to all (i.e., “whoever”) (10:43).

  10. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was before and separate from salvation! • It is critical to keep Acts 11 with Acts 10. Acts 11:4-17 are the events “in order” (v.4). • When Cornelius sent for Peter & when Peter arrived, Cornelius was not saved (11:14)! • Peter went to Cornelius to tell him things commanded by God (10:33; 11:14). • “Peter opened his mouth” (10:34) and “began to speak” (11:15). They’re not saved!

  11. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was before and separate from salvation! • Just as he “began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them” (11:15). Not saved yet! • This all happened before hearing or responding to the message of salvation (14). • The Holy Spirit came as a sign to Peter and his companions (10:45; 11:15-18). • The Gentiles began to speak in tongues, magnifying the gift of the Spirit (10:46). • Peter preached the life, death and resurrection of Christ (10:36-42). Not saved yet!

  12. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was before and separate from salvation! • Peter then told how to “receive remission of sins” (because they didn’t have it yet): • “Believe in Him” (10:43) – emphasizing lifetime of obedient faith • “Repent unto life” (11:18) – opportunity to repent unto (“eis”) life • “Commanded them to be baptized” (10:48) – for remission (2:38) • “Through” or “in the name (by authority) of the Lord” (10:43, 48). • If, as is claimed, the Holy Spirit fell on them (and saved them) before baptism: • Then the Holy Spirit saved them before they believed (10:43). • Then the Holy Spirit saved them before they heard (11:15).

  13. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The baptism of the Holy Spirit is only recorded twice in the New Testament. • On Pentecost (“at the beginning,” 11:15) upon the 12 apostles (Jews) in Acts 2:1-4. • On this occasion, in Acts 10, “God gave [the Gentiles] the same gift” (11:17). • Peter drew a parallel between the events on Pentecost (Acts 2) and these events. • Peter connected the events with Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:5 (11:16). • Peter called it “the same gift” (11:17), having said they received “just as we” (10:47). • Joel prophesied the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28; Ac. 2:17; 10:45). • “To the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20), “there is one baptism” (Eph. 4:5)—i.e., in water.

  14. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Peter defended his actions to the Jews by saying it was God’s will and not his (11:1-18). • He was told in a vision, “What God has cleansed you must not call common” (11:9). • “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing” (11:12). • “He told us how he had seen an angel…who said to him, “…Call for Peter” (11:13). • “The Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us” (11:15). • “Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said…” (11:16). • KEY: “If therefore God gave them…who was I that I could withstand God?” (11:17). • “When they heard…they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted’” (11:18).

  15. III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • We need to call together our family and close friends to hear the gospel! • We need to recognize the gospel is for all and to take it to all without doubting! • We don’t need to change the message to fit the hearers; the same message is for all! • We don’t need to question God’s plan; we just need to submit to it and obey it!

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