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Lesson 20

Christ Invades the Gentile World

Acts 10:23-33

I don’t know about you but the episode being discussed today is like so many books that I have read. There are times that I get so caught up in the story that I do not want to put down what I am reading. As the characters get more entwined in the events surrounding them I just have to keep going to see how they are going untangle themselves. Of course I always want a “they lived happily ever after” ending, although it does not always work out that way.

If I had been with Luke I would have been setting on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what those who were sharing with him were going to say next. Most of the times stories end with the climax. For me what is found in Acts 10 is only the beginning of a continuing narrative that reaches all the way down to today. I hope and pray that I will never become so familiar with what took place in the early church that I lose the thrill of what God was doing in the lives of such a diverse group of people.

We should never forget how history, with all of its twists and turns, affects every one of us. Rick Warren has said in essence that no act or event in one’s life is ever wasted. How true that is for all us in as we journey together as a church. The decisions that are made today will have an impact on the next generation of believers. We have the opportunity to see God’s word as being the most important thing that we can pass on them. Luke certainly wanted us to know our heritage and if we believe with all our hearts that what he wrote is important we will want to pass it on. What is God doing in your life with what you are learning today?

Acts 10:23

The mystery of what God was doing is about to be unraveled. Even at this point Peter only has his vision to ponder and the command of the Lord to go with the men. The men who had come only added a small piece to the puzzle by telling him that a godly man, Cornelius, was waiting to hear a message from him. But what did it all mean? Peter was to embark on a journey that would forever change the history of the church? It is interesting that some of the people of Joppa travelled with him. They may have just wanted to learn more from him. Curiosity may have been a factor or they wanted to be a part of what God was going to do next. This side of heaven we will never know the real reasons.

1. Why was Peter not given any more information by the Lord?
2. What did the men that were sent to him know at this point?
3. When in your life have you been called to be obedient without having all of your questions answered?
4. Why was it important for us that Peter made this trip from Joppa to Caesarea?
5. Why did certain people from Joppa go with him?

Acts 10:24

Before Peter even arrived at the home of Cornelius, Cornelius had gathered together quite an assembly. He had convinced his family and friends to be there in anticipation that God was going to do something special.

1. What was going on in the life of Cornelius that he would bring all the people together?
2. What did he expect to happen?
3. What may have been an event in your life that you just could wait to share with all those you knew?
4. To what length did you go to make sure that they would have a part in what had taken place in your life?

Acts 10:25

When Peter actually came to the home of Cornelius it was Cornelius himself who went out to greet him. This would have highly unusual of a man of his position with servants and other staff to do his bidding. His first reaction to this man of God, the one bringing the message that he was to hear, was to fall down before him in worship. If the words “worship him” had not been included in the text, his actions may just be seen as one of gratitude. The fact that Luke inserted them would indicate more than an attitude of gratitude. This act should not be surprising. Although he was a God fearing man, he was still a Roman. In the Roman culture man worship was prevalent. It was expected for every person in the empire to look upon Caesar as a god. The fact that Christians later on refused to honor the Caesar in this way brought more persecution to the church. For a man of God, like Peter to come to him would illicit the same response of worship that was seen in the actions of Cornelius.

What is disturbing is how much like Cornelius people are today. From the adulation given to men like the pope to the worship of celebrities in sports and entertainment many are guilty of putting man before God.

1. Why did Cornelius answer the door?
2. What did this say about his desire at this point?
3. In what way could this be construed as just gratitude?
4. What would indicate that it was more than that?
5. When have we come close to doing what Cornelius did if in no other way than in the mind?
6. Who or what may be one of your god’s before whom you bow down?
7. What is the answer to keep from getting caught in this trap?

Acts 10:26

Peter immediately addressed this area of the worship of man with Cornelius. His response indicated the work that God had been performing in his life. He said, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” That sentence is packed full of things that we can learn.

• Peter was an apostle who in humility understood that fact did not give him special privileges or make him any holier than anyone else.
• He was making this statement to a man who under normal circumstances he would hate. Cornelius was a Gentile, a military leader of Rome, the nation which was the oppressor of Judea.
• Helped Cornelius to see that Christ leveled the playing field.
• He was striking at the heart of Caesar worship by showing that there is no man on earth who deserves to be worshipped.

This brings to mind some questions?

1. What can we learn from the statement of Peter?
2. What was it about Peter’s attitude that most reflects the desire of your own heart?
3. How did it open the door for what Peter had to say to all those inside the home?
4. What is the danger when we either take ourselves too seriously or allow others to hold us in high esteem?
5. What does it take in our lives to keep who we are from being divisive in our relationships to others?
6. How did Peter exemplify the right attitude in building relationships?

Acts 10:27-29

There is no indication that Peter had any idea that a there would be a number of people assembled to hear what he had to say. His remarks began to immediately break down the barriers that could have hindered the message being heard by those present. He gave God the credit for helping to understand the new relationship that he would now have with the Gentiles. They were no longer to be considered unholy by the mere fact that they were Gentiles. This revelation had brought him into the home of Cornelius without “raising any objections.” Although not mentioned who else was to benefit by Peter’s reactions to the Gentiles?

1. As you read Peter’s words in what ways might they be an example for us if face with a similar situation?
2. What barriers might exist in our own lives that need to be destroyed?
3. How important is it for us to be willing to go and meet people that we might not even know just because the Holy Spirit has prompted you to do so?

Acts 10:29

It was only after entering into the home of Cornelius and seeing the people assembled there did he ask, “For what reason you have sent for me?” It is important to note that God had not revealed to Peter why he was to go to the home of this Gentile. This very fact did the following:

• Peter had to wait on God.
• It allowed for God’s plan to be worked out.
• It kept Peter from developing a number of strategies based on his own conclusions.

1. Why was it important for the sequence of events to occur as they did?
2. How could have Peter destroyed any possibility of sharing God’s message?

Acts 10:30-33

Following the question that Peter asked, Cornelius gave an account of the events that had led up to asking Peter to come. Peter needed to hear first-hand what Cornelius expected of him. After explaining what had happened Cornelius ended with two statements:

• The first indicated how much he appreciated the fact that Peter was willing to come.
• He basically said to Peter, we are all waiting for you to share the message you have for us with great expectation.

 

1. Why was it important for Peter to hear the account first hand from Cornelius?
2. Why was it important for Cornelius to share all that had taken place?
3. What did the statements at the end of Cornelius’ story tell us about his heart and attitude?

In the same way God has a message for you this week. How are you to prepare for it?

• As you read God’s word this week pray that He will reveal a life changing message to you?
• Prepare your hearts to hear what He has to say to you through others.
• Come to the gathering next Sunday with anticipation that God wants to meet you there.
• Let your whole focus be on God and that He wants to transform your life
• Understand that it is the Word spoken and written that can transform a willing heart.

We will only meet the Cornelius’ of this world if we are willing to go out beyond the doors of the church. We do not know what opportunities God might have in store for us. Notice that Peter went out from Jerusalem with no agenda. We are to follow his example by going to the place where we are needed. Each step of the way prepares us for the next one. Next week we will see the results in the lives of Peter and Cornelius was worth all of the effort God used to bring these two men together.

Additional Notes:

DM-Peter went with the servants and devout soldier sent by Cornelius. He entered into the home of a Gentile where he preached the message of salvation. The response of Cornelius was to believe in Jesus. Not only did he accept Christ but his whole household joined him in that decision. (Acts 10:23, 25-48; 11:14, 18)

GC-Even after we become followers of Christ it is important that we continually make ourselves available before God to hear the message he has for us. In Acts it was the spoken revelation that Cornelius and his family heard. Today the message (revelation) is through His written word. (Acts 10:33)

RT-Cornelius was waiting because God told him to send for Peter and wait. Peter went because God told him to go.

Finally there was an expectancy of what God was going to do because all the pieces of the puzzle were in place. All they knew of Peter was that he was the man who was to bring them the words they so desperately needed to hear, so they waited, ready to listen.

Like every messenger that God has ever sent, Peter had one responsibility before him. He was to speak only those words God commanded him to speak. What was the message Cornelius and those with him needed to hear? Peter knew the content of the message he was commanded to speak. It was from God and not man. Man’s salvation is too important to be left to man’s wisdom, rules and methods. Salvation is always God’s good news to man. The peace that Cornelius sought comes only through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.

Salvation did indeed come to that house that day because one man had the faith that God truly had good news for him and another man had the faith to go and tell others of that good news.

It is clear that both of the players in God’s drama had learned the lessons that God was teaching them very well. (Acts 10)

RT-Partly because Peter was willing to enter the house of Cornelius the people were willing to hear what he had to say. It is important to go where God tells you to go. Peter under the influence of the Holy Spirit spoke those words that brought the whole house- hold of Cornelius to the point of decision. (Acts 10:23-44; 11:15)