Book of Acts - Ch. 10, Vs. 30-Ch. 11, Vs. 30 (03/23/2003)

Cornelius’s Vision and the Gentile Mission Begins

Let us begin. We actually start with Acts 10 .31, but I want to back up to 30. And 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.

Then his fasting tells you what? First of all, who is Cornelius, a Gentile or a Jew? That's right. Now, a Gentile fasting tells us what? That's right. Now, Peter has come to his house. He didn't want to enter into his house, but he did.

First Gentile house he has ever been in, because it was unlawful for him to do so. And he said, Cornelius, the angel we know, only he describes him as a man stood before me in bright clothing. That's the only clue we have so far that this was an angel.

But joy, angels can be as human beings in appearance. And he said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Now, Greg, what does it mean, in the sight of God?

All right, thine prayer has been heard, means what, Greg? Yes. And remembrance in the sight of God. All right, the sight of God, this has to be spiritual, cannot be physical, physical only. Cornelius uttered his prayer, audibly, I suppose.

Now, Dennis, upon praying, what's the first thing that takes place? All right, what path does our prayers take? Yes. But how do they go through Christ? That's right. But who carries our prayers? The Holy Spirit.

So the Holy Spirit was at work here. In the sight of God simply means that they had come to the Father through the Lord. And he said, send therefore to Joppa, the angel speaking, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter.

Joy, where did he get the name Peter? Greg, how did he get the name Peter? Right, it's Petros, and Christ gave it to him. Whose surname is Peter, he is lodged in the house of one Simon at Tanner by the seaside, who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Now, Dennis, this is a blind mission as far as, well, he knows just enough to go get Peter. He tells him where he is, how to find him, but doesn't tell him anything else. Immediately, therefore, I sent to thee, Peter, and thou hast well done that thou art come.

Now, therefore, are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Cornelius was through. Peter has come. He has told Peter everything that he wanted. Now, what is a centurion, Greg?

Okay, he was a devout man, which tells us that he worshipped God, and like the centurion of Capernaum, believed in God of Israel. His residence at Caesarea probably brought him into contact with Jews who communicated to him their expectations regarding the Messiah.

Dennis, the fact that the Jews were talking to him shows me that this was really a devout man. Yes, that's right. Yes, absolutely. Thank you. And thus he was prepared to welcome the message that Peter brought him.

He became the first fruit of the Gentile world to Christ. Cornelius, the first Gentile. He and his family were baptized and admitted into the Christian Church. Now, then Peter opened his mouth. I can just see as he stands, as he opens his mouth and said of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.

In Daniel 435, turn over to that, Dennis, will you read it? God is truly no respecter of persons. Everybody stands equal in the aspect of humanity. He continues, but in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him in every nation worldwide.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, his Lord over all, that word I say ye know, which was published throughout all of Judea and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached.

So Peter is starting with John. And he goes on quite lengthy, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. So we see that it was of God that Jesus, he doesn't say Lord, he says Jesus, the man, was anointed.

Bill, what's anointed mean? Clarence, what's anointed mean? All right. What's anointed mean, Greg? All right. Dennis, what's anointed mean? All right. What you all have said is absolutely true. I want you to think of the word anointing in an English class, and you've looked it up in the dictionary.

What's one thing that it means, Greg? All right. It means touching. It means smearing, actually. So this man, Jesus, was smeared by the finger of God. He had the Holy Spirit, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a cross. A brief summary of the life of Jesus. Now, him God raised up the third day and showed him openly.

Greg, he showed him openly, but to whom? All right. He was seen only, I think it says up to 500, only believers. Very important. Not to all of the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us.

So, these people were chosen beforehand. What does that tell you about us, Dennis? Absolutely. Who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Now, we haven't done that. We were not privileged to do that, but spiritually we have.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people. Now, this is a word I received from Jesus, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of the quick and the dead. Greg, who are the quick and the dead?

Here. All right. But spiritual. To him give all of the prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. If you believe in his name. Clarence, what does it, what does he mean if we believe in his name?

What's in his name? All right. While Peter yet spake, while he was talking, while he spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word. What happened, Greg? All right. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished.

Why? All right. He, and they of the circumcision which believed were astonished as many that came with Peter. Now, the circumcision, other Jews that came down with Peter. Peter didn't go by himself. It being dangerous and besides there was a group that wanted to go.

Because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Bill, that must have been a great sight to see these Gentiles. They were not God's people, yet there was no doubt but what the Holy Spirit had fallen on them.

For they heard them speak with tongues. The word is glossia and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Now, please notice the Holy Ghost came to them before baptism. We're in Acts 10 47. The Holy Ghost came before baptism. At other times it was at or after baptism. Why the difference, Greg? All right. Then that's what was the reason for this.

Yes. All right. The salvation of man depends upon what? Who is that to come in? Okay. Salvation of God depends upon what, Rick? Yes. Well, that identifies you but, Joy, how did the salvation come? What is the driving force?

What, Clarence? That's absolutely true. But, all of that happened because of what? You all are trying to make it so hard. All right. What? By the grace of God. By the grace of God. After all of that, after everything is finished and done, it is still by the mercy and grace of God only.

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Now, they spoke in other tongues. The Greek word is glossia, a natural language that was not their own.

What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit coming, Joy? All right. He's part of our salvation. Greg, what's another reason for the Holy Spirit in our life? All right, Clarence. All of that is true also. It's so we can exercise our gift to the honor of God.

Without the Holy Spirit, you can work all you want to, go to every Bible study in the world, have a drawer full of notebooks, but without the power of the Holy Spirit, it means nothing. Did Peter give them the Holy Ghost?

It came when he was speaking. Rick, did he give it to them? All right, that's right. Did they receive the Holy Ghost just because Peter was there? Then why did they receive the Holy Ghost? He said it was time.

What importance is it that the gospel was brought to Cornelius? Does it have any bearing on us today? Who else did Peter bring the gospel to besides Cornelius? Looking at Cornelius as the first converted Gentile, he brought it to us also.

Peter Defends the Gentile Conversion in Jerusalem

Now, chapter 11, verse 1. And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard the Gentiles that also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcisions contended with him.

Greg, what does contend mean? The Jews argued with Peter about his going to the Gentiles. This was a natural human outgrowth of his going to the Gentiles. And they called him in to account for his conduct.

Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and did eat with them. They considered it to be a positive transgression of the law and customs of the Jews. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning and expounded it by order unto them, saying, Clarence, what does expounded it by order, what's it mean?

All right. He started from the beginning and worked his way through. I was in the city of Joppa. Now, here's what he says. I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. A certain vessel descended as it had been a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners and it came even to me.

I saw it come down and it came to me. Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes I considered and saw four-footed beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air. He saw all kinds of animals.

And I heard a voice saying unto me, arise Peter, slay and eat. Now, this had to be a shock to the Jews. It certainly was a shock to Peter when he experienced it. But I said, not so, Lord, for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

But the voice answered, answered me again from heaven, what God hath cleansed that call not thou common. Greg, what does that tell you about things to eat? No restrictions. And this was done three times and all were drawn up again into heaven.

And behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was sent from Caesarea unto me. Now, I think it's amazing that the men, Cornelius received word and he sent men to Joppa.

And as they were coming, sometime during that period, Peter, alone on the housetop praying, received word from God, preparing him for what was coming to his door. And a spirit made me go with them. Nothing doubted him.

Moreover, these six brethren accompanied me and we entered into the man's house. Now, probably the six were with him and he was probably pointing at them to confirm what he was saying. And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house.

Now, Peter calls him an angel. Cornelius didn't know who he was. Which stood and said unto him, send men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter, who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

He uses words. As you probably all have guessed, I'm a stickler for words. This is words of the human language. Now turn to, Dennis, turn to Romans 1 16. Read that to us. All right. Peter certainly was not ashamed.

To be ashamed means to fear. He had no fear. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on him. And on us, as it did on us at the beginning. What's the beginning, Clarence? As the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

That's right. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. These words of our Lord, as quoted in chapter 1 5, to which Peter refers here, have been supposed by many to refer to the apostles alone.

But here, it is evident that Peter believed that they were a promise made to all Christians. I believe that. Whether Jew or Gentile. Therefore, when he saw the effects of the Holy Spirit fall upon these Gentiles, he did not see the Holy Spirit.

He saw the effects of it. He considered it a fulfillment of our Lord's promise. From this, we learned that the promise of the Holy Spirit is given to the whole body of Christians. For as much then, as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God?

There was no way that Peter would even think about, let alone do, to withstand God. Dennis, we're fighting a war, an awful war, against an awful man. Can that man withstand God? Was it Peter's joy that called Cornelius and his group to salvation?

None other can give the Holy Spirit except God. When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. They accepted the fact that the Gentiles received the Spirit just like you.

The Church in Antioch and the Name Christian

At this point, they were convinced that the gospel was to go to the Gentiles also. Now, they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenix, Cyprus, Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jew only.

Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. The result of our personal possessions of Jesus Christ will cause us to speak, as did these men.

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. If we sow the seed, he will give it a body. That little we know what will become of our work under the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have no idea, I cannot dream of what our work will accomplish in years to come, but it will accomplish. 22. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

They sent forth. Notice the care of Jerusalem church for the young converts to know the truth. It's a greater thing to have souls, it's a great thing to have souls converted under your teaching. It is greater to have them build up in the Spirit.

Few persons, even among ministers of Christ, have the talent for both. 23. Who, when he came and had seen the grace of God, was glad and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Joy. What is the effects of the grace of God? That's what I said. We have here an example of the effects of the grace of God. Barnabas was glad. They who cannot rejoice in the saving of a sinner just because they were not the instrument through which the Spirit came, do not have the mind of God.

24. For he was a good man and full of a Holy Ghost and of faith, and much people were added unto the Lord. The Spirit was a resident in his soul, and his heart was full of the Holy Spirit. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to seek Saul.

Now Saul has been out of the picture for him, and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year, a whole year they assembled themselves within the church and taught much people, and the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Greg, how did we get the name Christian? All right, back to Saul a moment. He was an expert in the Greek tongue. Now the term Christian comes from the Greek word kerematizo, to utter an oracle, divinely intimated.

This comes from the word kerema, something useful or needed. This comes from kaira-a, demand, requirement. So it seems to me that God himself gives us the name Christ. Of course that's true in the long run, God did it.

Agabus’s Prophecy and Relief for Judea

And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there be a great dearth throughout all the world which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea, which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Adamus and Saul.

Every Christian is placed in the center of the globe, which is his circumference. Every Christian is placed in the center of which the globe is the circumference, and we must fill it with his light. What God has given us, when he's given us more than we need, is entrusted to us for the benefit of those that are in poverty and affliction.

When he's given us more than we need, still is to be used. He who can and does not is a disgrace to Christianity, and he who does not lend a hand or the support of the cause of God is a worthless member of Christ's Church.

And he who spends in pampering the flesh with that which should be given to the poor shall have a fearful account to give on that great day of the Lord. All right, that finishes chapter 11. Is there any words that you would like to, anything you'd like to mention?

I haven't. Well, it might be, but we're not told much here. Anything else? Dennis, dismiss us, please.