Visiting Cornelius’ House….

Cornelius was a Roman military leader. He was also a God-fearing man. The Jews despised Roman soldiers, so Peter visiting Cornelius’ house would have been scandalous for the Church. However, as you read today’s verses, you see God showing Peter that Gentiles are just as important as the Jews were. Notice the irony and similarity of the commands Peter received from the Lord. The first was, “Get up, kill, eat”. The second was, “Get up, go downstairs, and go with them”. It even states “without hesitation, and don’t worry”. The revelation of this new concept, Gentiles and Jews were both clean and unclean, there is no distinction. The Jews were not the only chosen ones by God. Anyone with a willing heart can and will gain access to eternal life, and be given the Holy Spirit as a seal/guarantee of this truth. This passage opens up the door to conversations with unbelievers who don’t think they are worthy of God’s gift of grace (a form of pride). His grace is sufficient and offered to all willing to receive it. You don’t have to be born into a Jewish family to follow God, you just have to be born again. And that is possible through a repentant, honest, and willing heart. Cornelius is a great example in the NT of someone who believed God. He didn’t have the family lineage, religious training, or even a clue of the scope of what the Israelite history was all about. This gives me and everyone else hope. God is Savior of the world, there are no divisions when it comes to His mercy and grace. God’s offer of a relationship with Him is open to all. Have you accepted it yet? If not, why not? If yes, how’s your walk with Him?

1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said.4 Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel.And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! 5 Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.”7 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. 8 He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa. Peter Visits Cornelius 9 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, 10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.”14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.”15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 16 The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven.17 Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate, 18 they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there.19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” Acts 10:1-33