Acts, Chapter 10
© Copyright 2007 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
The story of Cornelius
actually begins with the last verse of chapter 9.
Acts 10:1-6
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:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall
tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
As you recall from the
previous chapter, Peter was staying with Simon the tanner in Joppa.
At that same time, there was a Centurion named Cornelius, living in nearby
Cornelius was a devout man
who feared God along with his entire household.
He gave much to the Israelite people, and always prayed to God.
About 3 PM, Cornelius saw a
vision of an angel of God. The angel
came to him, and when he saw the angel, he was afraid. The angel said, “Cornelius, your prayers and
alms-giving have come to the attention of God. So, send some men to Joppa to
get Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is
staying with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea. Simon Peter shall tell you what you need to
do.”
As an aside: “Alms-giving” refers to free will offerings. As a Gentile, Cornelius would have been
forbidden to tithe! In fact, he, or any
other Gentile, would have been bodily thrown out of the
Only a person who is
historically, biblically, and mentally challenged would attempt to equate
alms-giving by a Gentile to tithing.
Such teaching is an abuse of Scripture perpetrated by those consumed by
greed!
Acts 10:7-16
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.
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.
After the angel spoke to Cornelius and left, Cornelius called two of his
household servants, and a devout soldier who was within his command. He told them all the angel had ordered him to
do. Then, he sent them to Joppa.
The next day, as they were
traveling and drew near the city of
While on the roof, he became very hungry, and asked for something to eat. While others were fixing his food, Peter fell
into a trance.
In the trance, Peter saw
heaven opened, and a certain vessel (Gr. sheuos-skeuoV), or holding cloth descending to him. It appeared to
be a large sheet “knit” (Gr. dedemenon-dedemenon), or tied together at the corners. It was let down to earth. On that sheet were
all kinds of four-footed ritually unclean animals, creeping things, and birds.
Then Peter heard a voice say,
“Peter, get up, kill, and eat!”
But Peter responded, “Not, Lord! I have never eaten anything that is common
(Gr. koinon-koinon), or unclean.”
The voice spoke a second
time, “What God has cleansed, don’t call common.”
That response has largely
gone unheeded within the Church to this day.
That happened three times, and then the sheet went back to heaven.
Do you think that God was
dealing with Peter’s dietary habits?
No? Neither did Peter!
Acts 10:28
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that
is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath
shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Peter knew that God was
dealing with the fact that due to the cross of Jesus Christ, mankind now was
eligible for the cleansing of the Holy Spirit.
The work of the cross is not
well known.
I John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for
the sins of the whole world.
I John 4:14
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour
of the world.
That does not mean that all
people are now saved. Salvation is a separate issue. All are not eligible! Salvation requires acknowledgment of Christ as
Lord!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The sacrifice Christ Jesus
offered on the cross made that cleansing possible and it provided a method, by
which we may be saved.
John 1:29b
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Salvation is based on belief,
trust in Christ Jesus. It is a result of
that trusting belief, and without that trusting belief there is no salvation.
Acts 10:17-23
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 inquiry for
Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged
there.
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.
Peter had some doubts about the vision and its meaning. It was about that time that the men sent by
Cornelius arrived.
As Peter meditated on the vision, the Holy Spirit told him to get up and go
down to meet them. The Holy Spirit told
Peter to stop doubting and go with them!
When Peter told the men Cornelius sent, “I am the one you are in search
of. Why have you come here?”
They told Peter that Cornelius (who was a just man who respected God, and had a
good reputation among the Jews) was told by an angel from God by a holy angel
to send for you, and to listen to all you have to say.
The men spent the night with Peter at Simon the tanner’s home and they left the
next morning. Peter was also accompanied
by several of his Christian brothers from Joppa.
Acts 10:24-48
24 And the morrow after they entered into
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet,
and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come
together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man
that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath
shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I
ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
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,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in
remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he
is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he
cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; 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.
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.
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.
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.
Upon meeting Peter, Cornelius fell at his feet to worship him. However, Peter said, “I am just a man. There
is no need to worship me, so stand up.”
As they entered the residence, they saw that many people had been
gathered. This was the very first
Gentile gathering to hear the gospel.
Peter told them, “You all
know that it is against Jewish law for a Jew to socialize with anyone from
another nation (Gentiles), but God has showed me that I should not call any man
common or unclean. Because of that, I
came to meet you. Why did you send for me?”
The world-wide cleansing made
it possible to take the gospel to the world!
Matt 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Christ cleansed the spiritual
swine so that they may receive the gospel.
Many still reject the Word of God, but at least that are now eligible to
hear the word about the Word.
Cornelius told Peter and the others, “Four days ago I was fasting until this
hour, and at about 3 PM I was in prayer. Then, a man dressed in bright clothing
stood before me.
‘The man said, ‘Your prayers have been heard, and you alms-giving have come to
God’s mind. Therefore, send to Joppa, and call Simon Peter here. He is staying
at the home of Simon, a tanner. When he comes, he shall speak to you.’
“Immediately I sent for you,
and you have done well to come here. We have all come to hear all things that
are you are commanded by God to say.”
Then, Peter said, “I now understand that God is no respecter of persons. But,
in every nation those that respect Him, and do what is righteousness, are
accepted by Him. I now preach the word, which God sent to the children of
(It would be years before
Peter would understand the importance of those words.)
“The same word that began in Galilee after the baptism of repentance of that
John preached, and that was made public in Judea, it is that message that I now
say to you, and you know that it was made public throughout
“That message is how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. He went about doing good, and healing all
that were oppressed of the devil, because God was with him.
“And we are witnesses of all
things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in
“But, God raised Him up on
the third day, and openly showed him as being alive. God did not show Him to all the people, but
He showed Him to witnesses chosen by God, and that included us. We actually ate and drank with Him after He
rose from the dead.
“It was He who commanded us
to preach to people, and to testify that it is He, which was ordained of God to
be the Judge of the living and dead. All
the Prophets are witnesses that, whoever trusts in Him shall receive remission
of sins.”
And, While Peter was speaking the Holy Ghost fell on all them, which heard the
word. The Jews were amazed, because the Gentile received Gift of the Holy
Spirit. They heard them speak with tongues,
and magnify God.
Then, Peter asked, “Can any
man forbid them water baptism? After all, they have received the Holy Ghost
just as we did.”
Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then, the Gentiles
asked them to stay a while longer.
You will notice the order of
salvation in this individual case. The
word was preached. Indicating that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word (Gr. reematos-rhmatoV) of God (Rom. 10:17).
That Greek word signifies the revealed, internalized Word of God. When we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our
personal Savior, He becomes (to us) the revealed, internalized Word of God.
Then Cornelius and those
present received the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit is only available to those who have already been saved. He is the Earnest (Eph. 1:14), the down
payment on our ultimate salvation. It is
only after a true conversion that one receives the Holy Spirit. True conversion is not dependent on water
baptism.
The Jews, even Christian Jews
of that day practiced a “mikvah” type regenerational baptism. Such an immersion is now considered false by ALL Christians.
Although some outside of
Christ still practice that false baptism, Christians practice a believers’
baptism. And yet, even that is not necessary for salvation. All physical baptisms are rituals, works and
we are not saved as the result of any works.
I grew up as a Baptist, and
yet any Baptist will admit that baptism does not save anyone. It is a change of heart (looking to, trusting
in Christ) that results in salvation. No
rituals, be they baptism, communion, or any other human ritual can result in
true salvation.
The Roman Catholic and
Peter did not require the
normal Jewish rite of circumcision. As
we will see later that caused him problems with the unregenerate fakes among
the early Church members just as not abiding by rituals causes problems among
the unregenerate fakes of today.
Ritualistic fake Christians
caused Peter much concern, and they followed Paul in his teaching of grace in
an attempt to nullify the truth of God’s grace (Read Galatians). Satan still works in sheep’s clothing by
pretending to be the Church.
When they received the Holy
Spirit, those with Cornelius spoke with tongues. That is the symbol of the baptism in the Holy
Spirit.
They also magnified God. In another place we will read of those who
received the Holy Spirit prophesying as well as speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is the “standard” evidence,
although other evidences may also appear, speaking in tongues is the universal
evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.
Most who are considered to be
Christians have not “received” the Holy Spirit. As we shall see, the receiving
of the Holy Spirit is a separate, additional action.
Do not get “hung up” on the
sequence. The story of Cornelius
demonstrates that God does not use a “chiseled-in-stone” sequence when it comes
to Baptism in the Spirit and in physical water.
The sequence here is
presented only once in all Scripture and should not be taken absolutely
essential. It was used as convincing
evidence that Gentiles could and should be admitted to the Church based on
God’s selection. Churches do not determine
who is a Christian. That determination
is God’s and God’s alone!