Peter’s Great Arrival Acts 10:1-23

The event before us is very significant, for Dr. Luke, the author of the book of Acts, mentions this event three times: Acts 10 and 11, Acts 15:6-9.  In this chapter, we continue to observe the gospel being extended beyond the boundary of Jerusalem in fulfillment of Christ’s witnessing instruction in Acts 1:8, that reads:  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15); however, Peter is credited with opening the doors in extending the gospel to Gentiles.  God will greatly use Peter in spreading the gospel to those outside of his Jewish race.  The visions of both Cornelius and Peter will set the stage for the gospel invading the house of Cornelius.   Cornelius, a Roman centurion, a commander of 100 soldiers, will be privileged to hear the wonderful news of the gospel that emphasizes God’s complete forgiveness of sins.  Peter will take the good news of the gospel and share it with Cornelius’ household.

From all accounts, and according to verse 2, Cornelius was a righteous man who worshipped Yahweh (God), yet he was not saved.  He possessed some outstanding qualities such as he was devout, God-fearing, generous and even prayed to God continually.  However, possessing these remarkable characteristics, he lacked salvation.  Being in a state of prayer, and having a vision, Cornelius encounters an angel during the ninth hour (3pm) in verses 3-6.  The angel instructs him that his prayers and alms have come up as a memorial to God.  The angel further instructs him to send for Simon Peter who was residing at Simon the tanner’s home (Acts 9:43).  After the angel departed, the centurion then instructed three of his men to go to Joppa and bring Peter back.

On the next day, as the men made their journey to Joppa, Peter was engaged in prayer during the sixth hour (noon), and while hungry, he has a vision, wherein he sees a sheet descending to earth with various kinds of animals, reptiles and birds.  Being hungry and being commanded to eat of those animals by God, Peter responded intensely saying, “Not so, Lord” (v. 14).  Peter stated that he had “never eaten anything that is common or unclean” (v.14).

As a devout Jew, Peter was aware of what the Law said with regard to unclean animals (Leviticus 11).  Peter had no business calling anything unclean what God hath cleansed (v. 15).  Peter refused to eat of the unclean foods three times!  Peter was definitely disobedient to God’s command, for he allowed his hesitation to eat of the unclean foods to override God’s will.  Peter’s refusal to obey God’s will three times reminds us of the three times he denied the Lord (St. John 18:17, 25-27).   Being sovereignly directed by God the three man from Cornelius arrived to Joppa and met Peter, stating the purpose for their coming (vv. 21-22).

In closing, it was the Holy Spirit who told Peter that the three men had arrived.  It was so impressive to know that God was operating this very momentous event.  The great event concludes with Peter inviting the three to be guest at Simon’s house (v. 23).   As believers in this age, we have truly arrived to the vision of God’s truth when we comprehend these points.

• In God’s drawing of individuals to Himself, God operates in mysterious ways. In our text He uses both the vision of Cornelius and Peter to stimulate Peter’s arrival to Cornelius’ home
• In God’s drawing of individuals to Himself, God is no respecter of persons. Regardless of color, gender, culture or religious creed, all individuals are special to God.
• Just as God chose Peter to share the gospel with Gentiles, He has chosen us to share His amazing salvation with others. We must share that no one is beyond the love of God. Yes, God loves everyone, for Romans 5:8 says: “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

I am so glad that someone shared the gospel with me, and thus, God has saved me.

Love Lifted Me
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

May God Bless