This week's ongoing Bible study will be part 2 of Acts chapter 10

The Lord Brings Cornelius and Peter Together

[Acts chapter 10, verses 17-33]

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Last week when we left off at verse 16 of Acts chapter 10, the apostle Peter was having a vision while he was in prayer, and I made the point that his vision would not have occurred had he not been in a state of deep and reverent prayer. Using that as part of my closing remarks, I recall challenging all of you to bring your prayer lives up to Peter's level. I will not hold it against anyone if they are not at that level as of yet, nor against those who have tried and have fallen short. This is common to everyone, so let's not be discouraged when we miss the mark. We're only human, so this is bound to happen from time to time. The main thing is to never give up, and to keep on trying no matter what! Because some day we will all achieve this Spiritual goal together!

This week as we move on to part two of Acts chapter 10, Cornelius of Caesaria is arriving at the home of Simon the tanner where Peter is staying just as Peter has come out of his trance (see verse 10 of chapter 10 from last week's study). So let's take up where we left off beginning at verse 17: “While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.' Peter went downstairs and said to the men, 'I'm the one you are looking for. Why have you come?' The men replied, 'We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.' Then Peter invited the men into his house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.” (Acts 10, verses 17-23)

Let's remember once again our lesson from last week, when Peter was told in his vision to “not call anything impure that God has made clean” (see verse 15 from last week's study). In the context of Peter's vision, 'anything' apparently referred to certain animals that were forbidden to be eaten by Jewish custom. This has its origins in Leviticus chapter 11, which you should research on your own – it's only a 5-minute read. It also applies to all other things, since “the earth is the Lord's and everything in it” (Psalm 24: 1). So this would include, for example, the marijuana plant, which is constantly demonstrating remarkable medical properties for literally dozens of diseases, including some psychiatric disorders. In so doing, medical cannabis has exposed the fraudulent nature of some mainstream psychiatric “medications”. That's the real reason marijuana is still criminalized. If it were legal, that would present an existential threat to Big Pharma. You can get the full story from my 2016 book, “Cannabis Legalization and the Bible: Compatible or Not?”, which you can order from this link. But let me get back to this week's study.

“Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.' Peter went downstairs and said to the men, 'I'm the one you are looking for.” Notice Peter's immediate obedience. Let's all make sure our obedience to the Lord is on the same level. Next, he is invited to Cornelius' house even while still staying with Simon the tanner. It seems that Peter, along with the rest of the Twelve, nearly always had a place to stay in the homes of those he ministered to. These were perceptive people who knew the Gospel was of more value than any precious metals or jewelry, nor is it something that can be purchased. They saw their hospitality as a form of repayment to Peter and the others, and they were happy to have an opportunity to serve – just as we should.

“We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” This is confirmation in the Spirit for Peter, who was already expecting the detachment sent by Cornelius by way of his vision. Cornelius is clearly wanting to hear the Gospel from Peter, especially since he was relatively close to him (only about a day's walk). “The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.” And so off to Caesaria they went, traveling by foot as usual. And now let's move on to the second half of this week's lesson, starting at verse 24.

“The following day he arrived in Caesaria. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him stand up. 'Stand up', he said, 'I am only a man myself.' Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: 'You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?'” (Acts 10, verses 24-29)

Let's not forget who Cornelius is. Cornelius is a complex individual. He's a Roman centurion who also happens to be a Christian sympathizer. Along the way he became a man of real faith, a man who wanted to know more about his newfound faith, maybe even a whole lot more. Cornelius may not have been entirely sure himself about how much of his new faith he could process, and so he had practically jumped at the chance to hear the Gospel first-hand from Peter. Let's also not forget the character and integrity of Peter, who never allowed his status as the lead apostle (“thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”) to go to his head. He remained a humble individual throughout his life, as it has been documented: “Stand up', he said, 'I am only a man myself.”

Peter then goes on to reveal the meaning of his vision as it applied to himself and all the others present. “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” So in this context, the Spirit of the Lord in Peter's vision was telling Peter to end the period of dissociation with Gentiles in his own life. This was a personal command from God to Peter, the military equivalent of a direct order. This also applies to racism the world over, and particularly here in America. Nobody can profess their love for God, no matter how loud or emotional, while at the same time despising anyone He has created. The Bible is clear in its stance against racism and bigotry in all its forms, no matter how harmless it may seem to a small minority who may consider themselves greater than others. The whole idea that one human being can be any better than another is a lie straight out of the deepest pits of Hell!

“Cornelius answered, 'Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good for you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” (Acts 10, verses 30-33)

Cornelius had a burning faith so intense that he used all the available resources he had to arrange things so that he might hear a Word from God through Christ, who Peter represented by deed and reputation because he was so incorruptible. If only we had a lot more politicians like Peter, America would be in much better shape! And so as we close out this week's study, Peter and Cornelius have been united in person and in spirit with the Lord as he presided over the home of Cornelius and everyone in it. Cornelius encourages Peter to go ahead and tell all he knows about Christ and his Gospel. As we will see next week when we move on to part 3, Peter eagerly shares all that Jesus taught him and the other apostles, and he does so with the greatest enthusiasm! So be sure and return next week for the third and final part of our study of Acts chapter 10. Shalom!