1
There was a
certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the
Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that
feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed
to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently
about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying
unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he
was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and
thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and
call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: (Acts
10:1-5)
Our Church of the Faithful Centurion in Descanso, CA. is doubtlessly named for
Cornelius, for he was truly a faithful Centurion and a Gentile. Cornelius was
both devout and courageous. For a Roman centurion to accept Christ could lead
to severe penalties on the part of Cornelius from the Roman authorities; so a
faithful devotion to Christ is quite complementary to courage and fortitude.
His conversion and baptism resulted from an amazing set of circumstances. God
sent an angel to direct the steps of Cornelius, and at the same time, a vision
to Peter, who was averse to accepting Gentiles into the Church, to open Peter's
eyes to the reception.
Now, all other scripture notwithstanding, the vision of Peter has nothing to do
with the Levitical food laws. The vision was intended to demonstrate to Peter
that he was wrong not to include Gentile believers in the Church of Christ! Let
us examine that vision and its setting.
The Setting
7 And when the angel which spake
unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a
devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all
these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. (Acts 10:7-8) A good commander will
characteristically have devout and faithful subordinates as did Cornelius. Love
and respect begets the same response from subordinates. Note that Cornelius
does not question the angel's counsel, but responded without delay. Not only
did the angel of God tell Cornelius Peter's name, but his whereabouts as well.
Peter’s Vision
9
On the
morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went
up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and
would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a
certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the
four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls
of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord;
for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him
again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that
call not thou common. 16
This was
done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in
himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which
were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before
the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether
Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. (Acts
10:9-18)
In order to open the eyes of Peter to the realization of the acceptance of all
who will receive Christ into the Church, God sends to Peter a vision that God
knows will be as repulsive to Peter as would the violation of the food laws by
eating forbidden meats. God is not telling Peter to go out and eat unclean
foods, but a lesson on the propriety of accepting Gentiles into the Church. The
food laws were not given to condemn of sin, but rather to safeguard health. So
Peter declares that he had never eaten unclean foods in his life. So God says,
"If I have made a thing clean, it is clean to the uttermost; therefore the
Gentiles, who were once afar off are brought near by the purchase of
Christ." Peter does not yet fully understand the vision, but he shall
understand in time. Peter has often experienced messages in threesomes. Remember
that he denied Christ three times the night of the trial of Jesus. Later, Jesus
asked Peter three times "Lovest thou me?"
Now, to emphasize the authenticity of the message, the vessel descended and
ascended three times. Peter is a bit dumbfounded for he knew that God was
unchanging in His laws.
The
vision begins to open Peter's eyes
19 While Peter thought on the
vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee
down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men
which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye
seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the
centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all
the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee
into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23 Then called he them in, and
lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren
from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they
entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together
his kinsmen and near friends.
(Acts 10:19-24)
To a minister called of God, the Lord prepares the soil of the hearts of the
people for his coming sermon. So Cornelius has gathered his household together
along with his friends in readiness for Peter's visit. Cornelius and his
household was new to the faith, and those who are recently come to Christ often
go beyond reason in their efforts to worship and please God as evidenced by the
following: And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at
his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself
also am a man. (Acts 10:25-26) We bow the knee to no man but
Christ. This was Peter's first lesson to Cornelius. Cornelius shares fully with
Peter the experience he has had over the appearance of the angel of God.
Peter's
eyes opened fully
34 Then
Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that
feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the
children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which
was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism
which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and
healing all that were oppressed of 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
slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day,
and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto
witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him
after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach
unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be
the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets
witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive
remission of sins."
(Acts 10:34-43 KJV) When Peter hears the account given by Cornelius, he finally
understands the previous vision of unclean animals.
The
Result
44 While
Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the
word. 45 And they of the circumcision
which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the
Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts
10:44-45) When the
soil is fertile and prepared for sowing, the Word will descend, when preached,
deep into the heart of that soil and immediately spring up and bear fruit. This
was the final and convincing proof that Peter needed to open his eyes
conclusively.
The
Evidence
46 For
they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that
these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts
10:46-48) The
tongues spoken were miraculously spoken and not some contrived balderdash. It
was a mystical language like unto that spoken at Pentecost which was
understandable and even was even understood to magnify the name of the Lord. No
man can forbid acceptance to the household of God those who bear the emblems
and evidence of true faith just as no man could forbid any from entering the
Ark of Noah for God, not Noah, closed the door thereof. 15 And they went in unto Noah
into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 16 And they that went in, went in
male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him
in. (Gen
7:15-16) There
comes a day when God will close the door to salvation on this worldly society.
Be sure you are safely in the Ark of Christ before that happens for none will
afterwards be admitted to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
