Lesson 14:The Gospel Spreads and Converts the First Gentiles to Christ (10:1-11:18)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Cornelius was instructed by God to send for Peter to hear the gospel message (10:1-8).1. Cornelius lived in Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman

government in Palestine.a) 30 miles N of Joppa & about 70 miles NW of Jerusalemb) Centurion—an officer who commanded 100 soldiers under himc) Part of the Italian Regiment/Cohort, consisting of 600 soldiers

2. Cornelius was a godly man, whose piety is given much detail in Scripture (10:2-3).

3. At the 3:00 p.m. hour of prayer (10:30), an angel appeared to Cornelius (10:3; 11:13).a) Cornelius was “divinely instructed…to summon” Peter (10:5-6, 22)b) Peter would speak words by which he could be saved (11:14)

I.

A. It is possible to be a devout, godly and religious person, and still be lost (10:1-6; 11:14).1. God gave tremendous detail about Cornelius’ godly character to prove

this point.2. Cornelius was reverent, feared God and renounced idolatry, but he was

lost (10:2).3. Cornelius was a strong family man & generous toward others, but he was

lost (10:2).4. Cornelius prayed to God always and even fasted, but he was lost (10:2,

30).5. Cornelius was righteous, just and had a good reputation, but he was lost

(10:22).6. Cornelius was evangelistic, compliant and humble, but he was lost (10:24-

25, 33).7. While very godly, spiritual and devoted to God, Cornelius was not saved

(11:14).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

B. The prayer of a sinner will not save him, but God does know the heart (10:4, 30-32).1. An alien sinner is not saved by praying, which Saul and

Cornelius both prove.2. Cornelius’ prayers and alms were known by God (10:4, 31),

but he was lost (11:14).3. God is aware of sincere hearts & is moved by honest,

seeking souls (cf. 16:9; Jn. 7:17).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. The day after Cornelius’ vision, Peter saw a vision from heaven (10:9-23; 11:4-12).1. Peter was shown all kinds of animals & told to eat (10:11-13).2. Peter refused to eat anything ceremonially unclean to a Jew (Lev.

11:4; Deut. 14:3-7).3. Peter did not understand that the Law of Moses was no longer

binding (Col. 2:14).4. He was shown the vision 3 times to establish it was from God &

that it would happen.5. Peter continued to be perplexed to explain the vision (10:17).6. He made the right connection that the animals in the sheet were

people (10:28).7. The Spirit told Peter to go with Cornelius’ men, without doubting

(10:20; 11:12).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Peter went to Caesarea, to the home of a Gentile, with six fellow Jews (10:24-33; 11:12).1. Four days after his vision, Cornelius had gathered his

relatives and friends (10:24).2. Peter told them it was unlawful (acc. to Jewish custom) for

him to be there (10:28).3. From Cornelius’ explanation, Peter realized God had been

working on both sides.4. Peter was to speak “all the things commanded…by God” to

be saved (10:32-33; 11:14).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Peter preached to the Gentiles about Jesus Christ and the universal gospel (10:34-48).1. The Lord had opened Peter’s eyes through the sheet vision

& now through Cornelius.2. The same gospel Peter had preached to the Jews was what

he preached to Gentiles.3. To confirm to Peter God’s hand in these events, the Spirit

visibly fell on the Gentiles.4. The same command to be baptized, that Peter gave the

Jews, he gave the Gentiles.

I.

C. The gospel is for all!1. God does not show partiality based upon the external

(10:34; cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).2. “Every nation” has the opportunity to be “accepted by God”

(10:35).3. The conditions are the same for all, and anyone (i.e.,

“whoever”) may obey.a) Fear God and work His commandments steadfastly (cf. Ecc. 12:13;

Ps. 119:172).

4. Jesus is the Lord of all, having rightful authority over all (10:36).

a) Therefore, all people (saint and sinner) are amenable to the authority of Christ.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

C. The gospel is for all!5. Jesus came for, lived for, was killed for and was raised for all

people (10:37-41).6. The gospel is to be preached to “all people,” for He will

judge all people (10:42).7. The opportunity to be saved through His name is given to

all (i.e., “whoever”) (10:43).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

D. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was before and separate from salvation!1. It is critical to keep Acts 11 with Acts 10. Acts 11:4-17 are

the events “in order” (v.4).2. When Cornelius sent for Peter & when Peter arrived,

Cornelius was not saved (11:14)!3. Peter went to Cornelius to tell him things commanded by

God (10:33; 11:14).4. “Peter opened his mouth” (10:34) and “began to speak”

(11:15). They’re not saved!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

D. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was before and separate from salvation!5. Just as he “began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them”

(11:15). Not saved yet!a) This all happened before hearing or responding to the message of

salvation (14).b) The Holy Spirit came as a sign to Peter and his companions (10:45;

11:15-18).

6. The Gentiles began to speak in tongues, magnifying the gift of the Spirit (10:46).

7. Peter preached the life, death and resurrection of Christ (10:36-42). Not saved yet!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

D. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was before and separate from salvation!8. Peter then told how to “receive remission of sins” (because

they didn’t have it yet):a) “Believe in Him” (10:43) – emphasizing lifetime of obedient faithb) “Repent unto life” (11:18) – opportunity to repent unto (“eis”) lifec) “Commanded them to be baptized” (10:48) – for remission (2:38)d) “Through” or “in the name (by authority) of the Lord” (10:43, 48).

9. If, as is claimed, the Holy Spirit fell on them (and saved them) before baptism:a) Then the Holy Spirit saved them before they believed (10:43).b) Then the Holy Spirit saved them before they heard (11:15).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

E. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is only recorded twice in the New Testament.1. On Pentecost (“at the beginning,” 11:15) upon the 12 apostles (Jews) in

Acts 2:1-4.2. On this occasion, in Acts 10, “God gave [the Gentiles] the same gift”

(11:17).3. Peter drew a parallel between the events on Pentecost (Acts 2) and

these events.4. Peter connected the events with Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:5 (11:16).5. Peter called it “the same gift” (11:17), having said they received “just as

we” (10:47).6. Joel prophesied the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28;

Ac. 2:17; 10:45).7. “To the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20), “there is one baptism” (Eph. 4:5)—

i.e., in water.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

E. Peter defended his actions to the Jews by saying it was God’s will and not his (11:1-18).1. He was told in a vision, “What God has cleansed you must not call

common” (11:9).2. “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing”

(11:12).3. “He told us how he had seen an angel…who said to him, “…Call for

Peter” (11:13).4. “The Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us” (11:15).5. “Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said…” (11:16).6. KEY: “If therefore God gave them…who was I that I could

withstand God?” (11:17).7. “When they heard…they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also

granted’” (11:18).

I.

A. We need to call together our family and close friends to hear the gospel!

B. We need to recognize the gospel is for all and to take it to all without doubting!

C. We don’t need to change the message to fit the hearers; the same message is for all!

D. We don’t need to question God’s plan; we just need to submit to it and obey it!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives