Acts chapter 10
A Roman centurion named Cornelius sends for Peter. Peter arrives at his house, preaches the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit falls on these Gentiles.
A ROMAN CENTURION NAMED CORNELIUS SENDS FOR PETER
VERSE 1. Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
VERSE 2. a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
gave gifts for the needy generously. Cornelius was generous with his money. He gave freely to those who were in need.
always prayed to God. Most of us Christians are not overly prayerful. But Cornelius is.
VERSE 3. At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
VERSE 4. He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
VERSE 5. Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter.
VERSE 6. He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.
VERSE 7. When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.
VERSE 8. Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
PETER VISITS CORNELIUS
VERSE 9. Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
VERSE 10. He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.
he fell into a trance. Peter was willing to be taken into a mystical state. Are you?
VERSE 11. He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
VERSE 12. in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
VERSE 13. A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”
VERSE 14. But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
VERSE 15. A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
VERSE 16. This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.
VERSE 17. Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,
VERSE 18. and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there.
VERSE 19. While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you.
the Spirit said to him. Peter was willing to listen to what he felt was the voice of the Holy Spirit.
VERSE 20. But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
VERSE 21. Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”
VERSE 22. They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”
VERSE 23. So he called them in and provided a place to stay. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
VERSE 24. On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.
VERSE 25. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
VERSE 26. But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”
I myself am also a man. Peter would not let Cornelius kneel before him.
Unfortunately, many Christian leaders are arrogant. They expect that people bow before them and treat them with unnecessary tokens of respect. They are contrary to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ for his apostles.
VERSE 27. As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.
VERSE 28. He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
it is an unlawful thing. God leads Peter down an unlikely path. Peter is to go to the household of a Gentile. That by itself made him ritually impure. Yet Peter did as God led.
Is God leading you in any fresh new ways? Has he surprised you lately? Are you being led down a path you did not anticipate? Are you being led in ways that seem contrary to the will of God? If so, perhaps you are “in there” with Peter!
VERSE 29. Therefore I also came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”
VERSE 30. 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,
VERSE 31. and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
VERSE 32. Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
VERSE 33. Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”
PETER PREACHES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THESE GENTILES
VERSE 34. Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism;
KJV translation. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
VERSE 35. but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Acts of the Apostles and from the entire Bible.
VERSE 36. The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—
VERSE 37. you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
VERSE 38. even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him 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.
The Bible seems to promise healing of our illnesses. We should expect miraculous healing. It should be commonplace. But it is not. Why? Read more »
VERSE 39. We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also* killed, hanging him on a tree.
VERSE 40. God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed,
VERSE 41. not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
John 21:12. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
VERSE 42. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
VERSE 43. All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
THE HOLY SPIRIT FALLS ON THESE GENTILES
VERSE 44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard. As far as we know, these are the first Gentiles to come to faith in Jesus Christ!
VERSE 45. They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
VERSE 46. For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.
Then Peter answered,
VERSE 47. “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit. Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit. Then afterwards, they got baptized. This order is reversed from what we saw in the previous chapters.
VERSE 48. He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
ACTS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.