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Acts 10:23-11:18 “Gentiles welcome!”
Peter is on the potter’s wheel and God is doing some major molding and shaping… 8 years after
Pentecost the gospel is still by in large only a Jewish gospel. God needs to break down generational
Prejudice
Hughes points out, “Peter was heir to a strong tradition of prejudice that went clear back to
Abraham and was exemplified in men like Jonah, who resisted bearing witness to the Gentiles and
was actually angry with God when the Ninevites repented and escaped judgment. During Peter’s
time, Jewish midwives were forbidden to aid a Gentile woman in childbirth, for they would thereby
help propagate Gentile scum.”
Pastor Sandy Adams modernizes Peter’s vision…
It was noon and time for lunch, but Peter didn't like what God placed on the menu. God
gave Peter a vision - a giant picnic blanket descending from the sky. It was full of
incredible edibles… but not for a pious Jew. This was not a kosher picnic. Everything
on the menu was off-limits to Peter’s culture and religion and upbringing – yet God
commands him in verse 13, to “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter's response is the
ultimate contradiction,
The word “Lord” means boss. How can He be Lord
when you refuse to do what He requires? Peter still carries some of his old man with
him… Not, so LORD!
Understand, this is no small matter for Peter. Diet was big deal to a Jew. He’d been
trained and conditioned from childhood to consider certain foods clean and others
unclean. To change would force him to ditch long held beliefs – throw tradition to the
wind – uproot conviction. He would have to violate his conscience. This would be like
God asking your very traditional grandparents to wear shorts to church – or
commanding a diehard vegan to pig out on a chili cheeseburger. Hey, Peter is in a
rooftop wrestling match with his conscience. Understand our conscience is an interesting
organ. It can be trained by either
The conscience can fight against the
Spirit, or be His ally. In this case, Peter’s conscience supported a prejudice that needed
to be pinned. God is teaching Peter that He was doing a new work.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature,
because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
. God’s heart is clearly seen in Biblical texts
such as….
Proverbs 28:21 “To show partiality is not good”
Proverbs 22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common,
The LORD is the maker of them all.
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I love the words of one man, “No man is strong enough to carry a cross and prejudice at
the same time. You can’t be a saint and a snob! It’s okay to have a close circle of
friends - just as long as it doesn’t become a closed circle of friends. The church is
no place for cliques or prejudice.”
Join me now in Chapter 10 verse 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. “fell at his
feet and worshiped him” (proskuneo) literally means “to kiss toward” and is used for offering homage to
deity and angels and sometimes men.
This was the perfect opportunity for Peter to put his old
prejudices into high gear. “The Big Fisherman is here. You may kiss my
ring.”
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
Only Jesus heals and only Jesus should be worshipped… anyone or anything else it’s idolatry.
Scripture does not allow for men or angels to be worshipped. Jesus did receive worship and didn’t turn it
away… why? Because He is God and God is to be worshipped.
Do you know people still do that in Rome today? In St. Peter’s Basilica, they line up in front of
Michelangelo’s statue to kiss the feet of Peter. Over the centuries, the statue has been kissed so many times and
rubbed that the foot is almost completely worn out! SAD! And wrong! Why is it we worship people? We
elevate and idolize people and it ought not be. Peter instinctively knew this. He knew his frailties, he knew his
weaknesses, and he knew only One is worthy of worship—his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Money,
possessions, power… NO, Only Jesus is worthy of our worship.
Stott "Peter refused both to be treated by Cornelius as if he were a god, and to treat
Cornelius as if he were a dog."
27 And as he talked with him, he went in
… 3 radical words “he went in” shows the
changed heart of Peter… Peter is actually entering the house of a Gentile,
A Jewish man would begin every day with a prayer thanking God that he was not a slave, a
Gentile, or a woman. A basic part of the Jewish religion in the days of the New Testament was
an oath that promised that one would never help a Gentile under any circumstances, such as
giving directions if they were asked. But it went even as far as refusing to help a Gentile
woman at the time of her sorest need - when she was giving birth - because the result would
only be bringing another Gentile into the world.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in he went in and found many who had come together.
One of the first home bible studies… 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. The idea of unkosher food was closely connected to
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the idea of unkosher people. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I
ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” 30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was
fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood
before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms
are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose
surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he
will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now
therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Courson makes this wonderful point… What a great congregation! Peter walked in
and Cornelius said, “We’re all ears.” When asked what makes a great preacher, Charles Spurgeon
is said to have answered quickly: “A great congregation.” Where people want to hear the Word,
there will always be good teaching and preaching. I’m convinced it’s not a good preacher that
produces a great congregation, but a great congregation that produces a good preacher.”
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. Cornelius
and his household heard that “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins,” and they responded
in faith. No altar call! No invitation! They simply believed and were born again on the spot!
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He
is Lord of all—
Adams, “Ol’ prejudiced Peter has come a long way in a short time. He preaches the Gospel
and we’re told in verse 44, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell
upon all those who heard the word.” Before he finished his sermon, faith was born in the
heart of the Gentiles. The Spirit was poured out upon them. Verse 46 points out the
Gentiles also spoke in tongues just as the Jews had done at Pentecost. It was a final
confirmation that salvation had come to the Gentiles, just as it had the Jews. Without being
circumcised – having never offered a sacrifice - or celebrated a Passover – God blesses the
Gentiles for no other reason than their faith in Jesus. A new day dawned. Guys, in a real
sense you and I owe our inclusion into God’s kingdom to what happened that day at
Cornelius’ house.”
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
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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.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy
Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
When did the Spirit move? When Peter spoke the Word. There was no mumbo-jumbo. There was no
seminar entitled, “How to Speak in Tongues.” There is a biblical pattern of the Holy Spirit moving as
God’s word is taught.
Faith is increased… Romans 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing...
James 1 :21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the
word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like
a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in
whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 119: 4&9 "How can a young man keep his way pure...by guarding it according to thy Word... I have
treasured thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
2 Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.
Psalm 119:97-99 97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me
wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your
testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your Word
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Colossians 3 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… As Jon Courson points out… The
results of “letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (see Colossians 3) are exactly the same as being
“filled with the Spirit” (see Ephesians 5). Therefore, it follows that the Word and the Spirit are intimately
linked together. If you want to live in the Spirit, keep in the Word. Become totally saturated with the
Scriptures, and you’ll find yourself overflowing with the Spirit.
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
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them speak with tongues and magnify God. Without exception, in every biblical reference, tongues are directed to God to
give praise and adoration and exaltation to Him. They are never directed to man, never a message for man. Tongues are always used to praise 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. Peter was having a great time –
the first Gentile baptism, the first Gentile church service, the first Gentile follow-up
class.
Chapter 11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also
received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision
contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
One commentator noted, “In response to the accusations of his Jewish Christian brothers, Peter
repeated the vision he was given in chapter 10. Luke was not writing in a book, but on a scroll. The largest
scrolls were 35 feet in length. Longer than that, they would have been too big to handle. Thus, with only a
limited amount of space, literature in biblical times had to be concise and succinct. Why, then, would the
Holy Spirit inspire Luke to take valuable space to repeat the story of chapter 10 almost verbatim in chapter
11? I suggest it’s because it’s real important—as though the Holy Spirit is saying, “Don’t miss this. I want
you to grab hold of, and never forget that what the Father calls clean, you are not to call common.”
4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa
praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from
heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw
four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard
a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or
unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven,
‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all
were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house
where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them,
doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s
house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him,
‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by
which you and all your household Oikos will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy
Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord,
how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus
Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things they became
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silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to
life.” Christianity was the first religion to disregard racial, cultural and national limitations.
Mahatma Gandhi shares in his autobiography that in his student days in England he was deeply touched by
reading the Gospels and seriously considered becoming a convert to Christianity, which seemed to offer a real
solution to the caste system that divided the people of India. One Sunday he attended church service and
decided to ask the minister for enlightenment on salvation and other doctrines. But when Gandhi entered the
sanctuary, the ushers refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go elsewhere to worship with his own
people. He left and never came back. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said to himself, “I might as
well remain a Hindu!”
Peter’s story takes 77 verses to tell and repeats his vision twice. God wanted to make sure we did not miss the
point. Peter had arrived where God was directing…
Our attitude toward the world – those who do not know God – is supremely important. That is the thrust of the
book of Jonah. It was the prophet’s bad attitude toward the world that landed him in the belly of the great fish.
God was saying to him, “Jonah, this is what I think of your self-will, your prejudice, your elitism. Take a good
look.”
Hughes again notes, “In Christ there is no basis for discrimination of any kind. Prejudice or elitism on
the lips of a believer is an obscenity – whether it be racial, national, cultural, or social.”
If only there had been more love and less bias in that usher’s heart when he met Gandhi. The future
world leader had read the New Testament and had even seriously considered Christianity, but his conclusion
was, “I like the New Testament, I like your Christianity, but I do not like your Christians.”
God woke me up and gave me His heart for His Church here at Calvary… Mike…
Love me, love each other and love the lost
Vertical… Loving God… Horizontal… Loving Each other… and later Jesus will explain
our neighbor as any human being in need of our help… Loving the lost
You see dear church if we really love God we will keep the first 4
commandments.
1.
We will put no other gods before Him
2.
No Idols of any kind will be placed before Him
3.
We would not misuse the Mighty Name of Jehovah
4.
We would keep the Sabbath holy
And if we
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
would love each other we would keep the last 6
We would honor our Father’s and Mother’s
We would never commit murder
commit adultery
nor would we steal
would not bear false witness against our neighbor
lastly we would not covet…
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1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of
sins.”
Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”