Studies in Book of Acts Chapter 10:9-48 Apostle Ronald C Hill Sr. January 11-14, 2012

1. Studies in Book of Acts Chapter 10:9-48 Apostle Ronald C Hill Sr. January 11-14, 2012

2. Studies in Acts A. Cornelius was among a group known as “God Fearers” who was so prevalent in the first century. These were Gentiles who were not prepared to enter into the Jewish community

3. Studies in Acts A. as proselytes but were attracted to the morality and ethical standards of the monotheistic Jewish religion.

4. Studies in Acts B. Cornelius attended the synagogue services and he was greatly knowledgeable in the practices of the Jewish religion. Hence, Cornelius gave much alms and prayed to God always.

5. Studies in Acts C. One day Cornelius had a vision of an angel of God coming to him with a vital message. At first he was afraid, but then was assured that God had looked upon his alms giving and prayers

6. Studies in Acts C. with favor. Cornelius was given instructions as to what he was to do. He was told to send men to Joppa and have them call for and invite Peter to come to Caesarea.

7. 1. The city of Caesarea was a major seaport city of New Testament Palestine. It was located some distance up the coast from Joppa.

8. Acts 9:40 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

9. Acts 9:41 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

10. Acts 9:42 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

11. Acts 9:43 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

12. Studies in Acts D. After Peter had been used by God to raise Tabitha from the dead God led Peter to remain in Joppa with Simon “The Tamer”. God knew Peter’s next assignment would be near by.

13. Studies in Acts E. Peter’s Vision

14. Acts 10:9 9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray

15. Acts 10:10 10  And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance.

16. 1. While staying at the home of Simon “The Tamer” in Joppa, Peter went up to the housetop to pray at mid-day. Houses at that time typically had flat roofs, enabling a person to escape the heat and for people to have some privacy and quiet time.

17. 2. Peter was praying and he was also hungry. In effect Peter was praying and fasting just before he received the vision from God.

18. 3. God had to give Peter a vision because he was preparing Peter to overcome the prejudice spirit Peter and all the Jew had against the Gentiles. During that period of time the Jews referred to the

19. 3. Gentiles as dogs, and considered them to be unclean, and would have little to do with them. No Orthodox Jew would enter the house of Gentile, much less sit down at his table to eat.

20. Acts 10:11-16 11and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.

21. Acts 10:12 12In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.

22. Acts 10:13 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

23. Acts 10:14 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

24. Acts 10:15 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God Has made clean, do not call common.”

25. Acts 10:16 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

26. Studies in Acts F. Both Cornelius and Simon Peter had a vision paving the way for their meeting. Peter’s vision came the day after that of Cornelius.

27. 1. While praying and waiting for lunch to be prepared, Peter fell into a trance. In this trance Peter saw the heaven open and a vessel descending unto him that appeared to be a great sheet knit at the four corners.

28. 2. This huge sheet was being lowered from heaven, and inside were all manner of four-footed beasts and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

29. 3. The Jews had strict regulations about what could be eaten, and Peter had never eaten what a Jew considered an unclean animal.

30. 4. After God had shown Peter the vision three times he convinced Peter that no human being should be considered clean or unclean. Peter then came to recognize that Jesus Christ had died for all people.

31. Acts 10:17 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

32. Acts 10:17 17 enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

33. Acts 10:18 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

34. Acts 10:19 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee

35. Studies in Acts G. God had timed the arrival of the men sent by Cornelius to coincide with the ending of the vision He had given Peter.

36. Acts 10:20 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

37. Studies in Acts H. God informed Peter that three men were seeking for him and that he was to accompany them without any doubt about its legality. God also made it

38. Studies in Acts H. clear that it was He that had sent the men. God made it impossible for Peter to fail to follow His instructions.

39. Acts 10:21 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?

40. Acts 10:22 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

41. Acts 10:22 22 holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

42. Studies in Acts I. Directed by the Holy Spirit, Peter went down from the housetop to greet them. Peter acknowledged that he was the man they were seeking. He then asked the three men the purpose for their seeking him.

43. 1. The servants of Cornelius paid high tribute to their master as a just man, one who fear God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews. They said he had been instructed by a holy angel to send for

44. 1. Peter to come to his house; and that he would hear words from Peter.

45. Acts 10:23 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.

46. Acts 10:24 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

47. Studies in Acts J. The fact that Peter invited the Gentiles to be guest in the home of a Jew is a clear indication that he had gotten victory over any discrimination he had against Gentiles.

48. 1. The following day Peter took some of the brethren from Joppa with him and they went to the home of Cornelius.

49. 2. When Peter and the group arrived at Caesarea Cornelius was waiting and expecting them. He also demonstrated his love for his relatives and intimate friends by inviting them into his home. He was expecting to receive a

50. 2. blessing from God and he wanted the people he loved to be blessed also.