Study Through Acts: Chapters 10
INTRODUCTION.
A. In our study of Acts nine, we saw four important events:
1. The conversion of Saul, the one who persecuted the church.
2. Saul, a converted Jewish leader, preached Jesus Christ.
3. Saul tried to join himself with the disciples in Jerusalem.
4. The churches had peace and were edified.
B. Let us begin our examination of Acts ten.
I. CORNELIUS SENDS FOR PETER.
A. Cornelius, who lived in Caesarea, saw in a vision an angel of God calling to him. (Acts 10:1-3)
B. The angel of the Lord told Cornelius to send men to Joppa to Peter who was lodging with Simon the tanner. (Acts 10:4-8)
C. The next day, Peter went to the housetop to pray. Peter fell into a trance and saw a vision. (Acts 10:9-16)
1. Peter saw heaven open and a great sheet descending. In the sheet were all types of animals. Peter heard a voice telling him to kill and eat. (vs 10-13)
2. Peter decline to eat saying that he had never ate anything common or unclean. (vs 14)
3. The voice then told Peter that what God has called clean, Peter should not call common. This was done three times. (vs 15-16)
D. While Peter was giving thought to the visions, the men sent by Cornelius arrived at Simon the tanner’s house. The Spirit of the Lord told Peter to go with the men. (Acts 10:17-20)
E. The men told Peter of Cornelius. On the next day, Peter and some brethren went away with the men. (Acts 10:21-23)
II. CORNELIUS’S CONVERSION.
A. Peter arrived at Cornelius’s house and found many people gathered with Cornelius. Peter asked Cornelius why he had called for Peter. (Acts 10:24-29)
B. Cornelius explained how the Lord had instructed him to call for Peter. (Acts 10:30-33)
C. Peter taught the people about Jesus Christ, His death, His resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 10:34-43)
1. Peter acknowledged that anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God. (vs 34-35)
2. Peter reminded the people of what had happened with Jesus after the baptism that John proclaimed. God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil. (vs 36-39)
3. The Jews had put Jesus to death, but God had raised Him on the third day. Jesus appeared to those chosen by God to be witnesses. (vs 40-41)
4. Jesus commanded the apostles to preach and testify to the people that He is the one appointed to be judge of the living and the dead. To Jesus the prophets bore witness that whoever believes in Jesus would receive the forgiveness of sins through His name. (vs 42-43)
D. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. The Gentiles present began to speak in tongues and extol God. Peter said, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Peter then commanded the people to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:44-48)
III. KEY EVENT:
A. God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:1-48)
1. There are several instances within this chapter which reveals that God is no respecter of persons.
a. Cornelius, who was not Jew, prayed to God. God heard Cornelius’s prayer. (Acts 10:1-8)
b. God showed Peter a vision. The vision taught Peter that what God has made clean, Peter was not to call common or unclean. (Acts 10:9-16)
c. The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all those who heard the word. (Acts 10:44-48)
2. Such a lesson is important for us today.
a. Whoever believes can be saved. (Acts 2:16-21; Romans 1:16-17)
b. Social status should not make a difference in whether or not we teach someone about Jesus Christ. (James 2:1-13)
c. Ethnic differences should not make a difference in whether or not we teach someone about Jesus Christ. (Galatians 2:11-17)
CONCLUSION.
A. Remember the key point seen in our study:
1. God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:1-48)
B. In chapter 11, we will see Peter defending the conversion of Cornelius, Paul and Barnabas going to Antioch, and the saints of Antioch sending relief to Jerusalem because of famine foreseen by Agabus.
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A Study Through Acts: Chapter 10 -- March 13, 2005 - File # 705 - Acts, a study of
by John M. Duvall - Lawton, OK