Chapter Ten
This chapter (and the first eighteen verses of the following chapter), though divided into several segments, is actually one story that focuses on the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s plan for humanity’s salvation through Jesus, as He wants all to be saved (see 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
Cornelius' Vision
10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
Caesarea served as the ‘capital’ of the Roman province of Judea and it was home to a Roman garrison of a legion of warriors. A full-sized legion could have as many as 6,000 men, which was typically divided into 600-men cohorts. Sixty centurions commanded up to a hundred men in each cohort. Luke introduces us to a centurion named Cornelius from the Italian Cohort, and that he and his family were devout (Greek eusebē, reverent, actions true to beliefs), God fearing people (likely believers), he also gave generously to the poor, and prayed continually.
10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
In a vision, Cornelius saw an angel that terrified him but able to ask, “What is it, Lord?” The angel tells him that his prayers and generous giving haven’t gone unnoticed and then instructs him to send men to Joppa to retrieve Peter.
10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
After the angel left, Cornelius sent two of his servants and a devout (same Greek word that was found in verse two) soldier to Joppa to find Peter.
Peter’s Vision
10:9 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. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance
At noon the following day, Peter went up on top of the house to pray, but he was hungry and wanted something to eat. While lunch was being prepared Peter fell into a trance (Greek ekstasis, same word Luke used in Acts 3:10 that was translated as ‘amazement’, can also be a divinely guided ecstasy where God shows a person something that only that person can see and hear, this word does not imply being catatonic, unresponsive, nor the opposite, being in a state of uncontrolled wild behavior).
10:11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
In the vision Peter saw the heavens open (click here to read about the plural word ‘heavens’) and something that looked like a large linen sheet being lowered by its corners down to earth. On the sheet were all sorts of animals including reptiles and birds. Then a voice telling Peter to rise, kill, and eat was heard. But seeing that some, if not all, of the animals, according to the law (see Leviticus 11:1-47; 20:25-26), were considered unclean and therefore Jews were forbidden to eat, Peter immediately says, “By no means.” He further states, “I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” The Greek word translated here as ‘common’ is koinon, in context refers to something that is not consecrated (made holy). The voice responded, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This sequence occurred three times and then everything went back up into heaven.
10:17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
While Peter was wondering what the vision meant (the Greek diēporei carries the meaning of being in much doubt, translated here as ‘perplexed’) the men that were sent by Cornelius arrived. The Holy Spirit then tells him to go down and without delay go with them as they were sent by Him.
10:21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”
Peter went down to greet the men and asks them why did the come. They told him that Cornelius, a centurion and a God-fearing man, was told by a angel to send men down to him and return with him so that his family and others can hear what he has to say.
10:23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter invited the men to stay the night, and on the following day, he, the messengers, and some of the believers set out for Caesarea.
10:24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
Cornelius, expecting them to arrive that day had invited his relatives and close friends to hear what Peter was going to say. When Cornelius greeted Peter he fell prostrate before him, but Peter quickly lifted him up saying that he was just a man like him, as God, and God alone, is to be worshiped.
10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
Peter came in and found that many had gathered to listen to him. He begins by sharing a recent lesson he just learned, first noting that the Jews in the past were not allowed to associate with, or visit, anyone from another nation (Greek allophylō, someone other than a Jew), but now God had shown him that he was to no longer consider anyone common or unclean. So when he was asked to come he came without any objections. Peter then asks why they sent for him.
10:30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Cornelius relays the events that led up to his arrival and then asks Peter to speak the words that God has given him to share.
Considerations
A Holy People
According to the law and covenant as presented on Mount Sinai to Moses (see Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:21; 26:19; 28:9), the people and nation of Israel were to be holy. An often misunderstood word that refers to being separated, in Israel’s application, being fully dedicated to God. As such it was important that Israel be kept separate from the other nations. Dietary restrictions was one practice that aided in minimizing social interaction. But now under the New Covenant with Jesus as Savior, making all believers holy, the food restrictions are no longer required, along with the restrictions of any “cultural crossover” interaction.
Gentiles Hear the Gospel
10:34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
Peter begins with a vital point, “God shows no partiality!” That anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. This verse has been used to support a “works righteousness” stance, that salvation is earned. Anyone believing that apparently didn’t finish reading the chapter. Peter continues by saying, “God sent his word to the people of Israel and brought them the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ. This Jesus Christ is everyone’s Lord.” (Acts 10:37, GW)
10:37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Peter shared the gospel message by first laying out the problem, even though he didn’t use the word ’sin’, he did point out in verse 35 that peace was available through Jesus, implying that peace is unattainable without Him. Why? Because of our sins (see Jeremiah 17:6; Matthew 19:25-26; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 8:7). Peter then gives a brief history of Jesus’ ministry and even though He proved He was from God through the things He did, they executed Him by hanging Him (crucifixion type of hanging, not a hanging with a rope around the neck, click here for additional information) on a tree (Greek xylou, can refer to anything made of wood, including a cross), but was raised from the dead three days later. Peter explains that he was among those chosen to witness these things first hand and shared meals with Him.
10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
At that time Jesus commanded the apostles to preach and testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge all people, those alive and dead. That He is the One all of the prophets testified about, that everyone who believes in Him will be forgiven of all their sins, all made possible through His name.
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
The Gentiles listening were moved by Peter’s words and as they accepted Jesus as their Savior the Holy Spirit came upon them and was noticed by the Jews that accompanied Peter. One of the issues many of the Jews had with accepting Jesus as the Messiah was His inclusion of the Gentiles, as they thought they had exclusive access to God. Proof contrary to that thinking was made evident.
10:46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
The Gentile audience were now all speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter asked if there was any reason why these people should not be baptized as they have received the Holy Spirit just like they, the believing Jews have. They were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter was asked to stay there for a few days.
Considerations
External Evidence of Internal Changes
We read in several places in the Old Testament where once the Holy Spirit came on someone and they began to prophesy (for example see 1 Samuel 10:10; 19:18-24). Here the Spirit had the people speaking in tongues. Both of these phenomena were manifest for the benefit of an observer, being something visible or audible that indicates something is now different. Even though Paul considered the gift of speaking in tongues as being desirable (see 1 Corinthians 12:29-31; 14:1-25) the gift does not indicate a higher spirituality. As we are all equal in His eyes, remember that He shows no partiality.
Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ
Should we baptize in just Jesus’ name? Back on Pentecost, Peter said to those gathered, ”Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38b, ESV, emphasis added). Which is the same protocol we read here Acts 10:48. Earlier in chapter eight we read that some Samaritans that were baptized did not receive the Holy Spirit because they were only baptized in the name of Jesus (see Acts 8:14-17), however, that was a unique situation and should not be considered a general rule, just as this scenario had believers receiving the Holy Spirit before their baptism. But at the end of Matthew's gospel account, Jesus is recorded saying that one should be baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (see Matthew 28:19). The difference in wording has raised several questions, including “Which way is the correct way? While this debate opens a theological "can of worms" that can undoubtedly justify either view, the greater question might be "Does it matter what is spoken?" Just like ending a prayer with the words, "In Jesus' name." Our prayers don't vaporize or go unheard if we forget the proper closing, the same applies to words spoken during baptism, God hears the heart! Still not satisfied? Then follow the words of Jesus, He is the higher authority! Receiving salvation and the Holy Spirit is not a recipe or some procedural formula that needs to be precisely followed, it’s not what we do or say, it’s what God does, and even though He is sovereign, He will always keep His promises. Remember, He knows the heart, if you believe Jesus will save you, then you’re saved and the Holy Spirit lives in you.