v 1-3 In Ceaesarea, Cornelius (a centurion in the Roman army) was visited by an angel.
Cornelius is described as devout:
1) feared God
2) his family feared God
3) charitable
4) prayed to God always
v3 At 3pm (same time Jesus died), he had a vision where an angel came to him.
His reaction was fear. Why does everyone become afraid when they see angels. What do angels look like? Certainly not harp playing babies.
Angel: “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.” How does this work? This is massive. Do our prayers accumulate in the bowls of the saints and then get poured out before God in a memorial. Does our giving help facilitate this? How do the two work together?
v5 “Now sedn men to Joppa, and send for Siman whose surname is Peter. v6 He is lodging with “Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you waht you must do.”
We see in 9:43 that Simon stayed many days with Simon the tanner after raising Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead. It is interesting to see that in both cases, Simon’s identity comes from what he does (tanner) and that it is mentioned every time that Simon is announced. Secondly, we see the chain of events and God’s control. He has the event of Tabitha unfolding and the stay with Simon laid out. Around the same time, Cornelius has his dream and is pointed to go to Peter, who just happens to be staying with Simon the tanner. And, Cornelius gets chosen because he is so devout and his prayers and alms have come up before God as a memorial.
What is the lesson here?
v7 Cornelius immediately obeyed. He gathered two of his household servants and a devout soldier (believer). Note, when going to do the Lord’s work, make sure to take believers who are committed.
v9 At noon the next day, Peter was up on Simon’s house praying. He was very hungry and while waiting for the food, fell into a trance.
v11 Peter “saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.”
The contents:
1) four-footed animals
2) wild beasts
3) creeping things
4) birds of the air
v13 Jesus commands Peter: “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.”
v14 Peter says no, he has never eaten anything common or unclean.
v15 Jesus rebukes him and says that things created by God are not to be called common.
This happened three times. Just as the denial happened three times. Just as the love/feed my sheep event happened three times. We see that Peter needs reinforcing.
v19 “While Peter thought about the vision (he was trying to figure it out), “the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you.’ v20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
v21 – 27 Cornelius waited at his house for Peter. In the process, he invited a ton of friends and family. His encounter with God was spreading.
v25 “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him.”
v26 “BUT Peter lifted him up, saying “Stand up; I myself and am also a man.””
1) could Peter have had his encounter with Jesus and the threefold exchange as a reminder of his prideful fall of denial?
2) We see that as God increases ones ministry, people can fall into a position of worshipping you. This is a great temptation.
3) Peter responds with rebuke.
v28 God vision comes together for Peter. No man is common, and people of all nations can be visited. It was illegal for a Jewish man to visit a man of another nation. Cornelius was Italian.
v30 Notice Cornelious’ description of the angelic encounter:
1) he was fasting
2) at the ninth hour (3pm), he prayed at his house
3) a man stood before him in bright clothing
4) the man told him that his prayers had been heard adn his alms remembered in the SIGHT of God
Peter’s answer:
v34 1) “In truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality.”
v35 2) “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.