INTRODUCTION:

1. Change is hard, and big changes are really hard!

2. The transition from The Old Testament to The New Testament was a really big change!

3. This really big change was hard even for the Apostles!

4. Peter, who failed many times in many ways, stood up – even to an Angel of the LORD – in defense of The Old Testament Law!

5. When GOD is working in the life of HIS people, HE both can and will overcome our objections!

EXPOSITION:

10:1-8 When GOD prepares to do a work in the world, HE prepares the people HE has chosen to do the work!

(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. (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.”

(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.”

Theological Note: Remember that prior to the completion of The New Testament, GOD often used visions, dreams, signs, and wonders to verify that it was indeed HE WHO was speaking!

Cf. Acts 2:16-18 (Quoting Joel 2:28-29)

(16) “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:                    (17) “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; (18) even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

Further… GOD tells us in The New Testament that when The New Testament was completed, these miraculous means would cease!

Cf. 1^st Corinthians 13:8-10

(8) “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, (10) but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.”

10:9-18 GOD not only ordains HIS work, HE also ordains the means by which HE accomplishes HIS work – and sometimes HE uses radical means to accomplish HIS work!

(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 (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. (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.”

10:19-33 One of the most common means by which GOD accomplishes HIS work in the world is by the simple obedience of HIS people!

(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.” (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.” (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. (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.” (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.” (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.”

10:34-43 GOD will save anyone anywhere, but HE only saves people through the gospel!

(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), (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. (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.”

10:44-48 While salvation is the main thing… baptism is a really big thing in GOD’s plan for HIS people!

(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. (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.”