Acts 9:32-11:18

(taught on July 6, 2008)

(Acts 9:32) Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

(Acts 9:33) There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.

(Acts 9:34) And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately.

(Acts 9:35) So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

(Acts 9:36) At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

(Acts 9:37) But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

(Acts 9:38) And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.

(Acts 9:39) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

(Acts 9:40) But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

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

(Acts 9:42) And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

(Acts 9:43) So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

Acts 9:43: The nature of the work of a tanner in dealing with dead animals would have made him ceremonially unclean and unlawful for Peter to be around. The Spirit of God moved Peter not to withdraw himself from this man's presence. He may not have understood it at the time, but God was preparing him for a major shift in his understanding of God's plan of redemption for all people.

(Acts 10:1) There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

Acts 10:1: There was a lot of tension and prejudice between Jews and Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews). This is seen in Acts 11:2-3, Acts 22:20-22, John 4:9, Gal 2:11-13. It appears many Jews did not even want Gentiles to come to Christ. Why? The Law was a source of pride and a mark of identity for the Jew. They felt mixing with the Gentiles would taint them, would dirty their devotion to God. (This is one reason why the Samaritans were do disdained, because they were viewed as a mixed race of Jews and Gentiles -- see the notes on John 4:9). Maybe also because they would have to accept them as brothers. Maybe because God has historically clearly shown that they are not to associate with the heathen nations. This was really not because of the people, but because God did not want their false religions to taint the faith of the Jews. (But it did, because many Jews wound up serving false gods. See Judges 2:2-3, Acts 10:28.)

Jesus preached entirely in Jewish cities, in Galilee in the north, and Judea in the south. In Matt 10:5-6, Jesus sent His 12 apostles only to the Jewish cities. In Matt 15:24 Jesus said he was sent only to those from the house of Israel Rom 15:8-9 says Jesus was a servant to the Jews to confirm the promises made to the Father, yet the Gentiles still could glorify God for His mercy. Jesus was sent to the Jews first (Acts 3:26). We see in Matt 15:21-28 (the Canaanite woman) and in John 4:3-43 (the Samaritan woman at the well), Jesus allowed non-Jews to believe in Him. And now in this passage we see where God opened it up beyond that, to all peoples.

In this chapter we see the first time the gospel is presented to non-Jews, and we see a very clear message that God intended the gospel for all people. In fact, it was a surprise to the apostles, and considered a mystery that God had to reveal to them (Eph 3:3-6).

This was an extremely significant event in the history of the church, for this now made the gospel available to all the nations. It was foretold in the Old Testament. See Gen 18:18, Gen 22:18, Psa 72:17.

Cornelius had the privilege of being the firstborn among all Gentiles, once the gospel was available. The apostles didn't even know this until this chapter, because it was a revelation from God.

In Acts 15:1-24, we see that many Jewish Christians, while believing Gentiles could become Christians, still believed these Gentiles needed to be circumcised. In this passage the council in Jerusalem determine that is was not necessary, and send a letter to the churches stating that.

(Acts 10:2) a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

(Acts 10:3) About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

(Acts 10:4) And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

(Acts 10:5) "Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.

(Acts 10:6) "He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do."

(Acts 10:7) And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.

(Acts 10:8) So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

(Acts 10:9) The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

(Acts 10:10) Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance

(Acts 10:11) and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.

(Acts 10:12) In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.

(Acts 10:13) And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

(Acts 10:14) But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."

(Acts 10:15) And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

Acts 10:15: God was making a bold statement that people are not made unclean because of their race, that one race was not superior or inferior to another. This truth shook Peter, and ti took him may years to fully grasp the implication and incorporate that truth into his life.

(Acts 10:16) This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

(Acts 10:17) Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.

(Acts 10:18) And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

(Acts 10:19) While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.

(Acts 10:20) "Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

(Acts 10:21) Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?"

(Acts 10:22) And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you."

(Acts 10:23) Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

(Acts 10:24) And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

(Acts 10:25) As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

(Acts 10:26) But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."

(Acts 10:27) And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.

(Acts 10:28) Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

(Acts 10:29) "Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"

(Acts 10:30) So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

(Acts 10:31) "and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

(Acts 10:32) 'Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'

(Acts 10:33) "So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

(Acts 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

(Acts 10:35) "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

(Acts 10:36) "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ; He is Lord of all;

(Acts 10:37) "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

(Acts 10:38) "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

(Acts 10:39) "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

(Acts 10:40) "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,

(Acts 10:41) "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

(Acts 10:42) "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

(Acts 10:43) "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

(Acts 10:44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

(Acts 10:45) And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

(Acts 10:46) For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

(Acts 10:47) "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

(Acts 10:48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

(Acts 11:1) Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

(Acts 11:2) And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,

(Acts 11:3) saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"

(Acts 11:4) But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:

(Acts 11:5) "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

(Acts 11:6) "When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.

(Acts 11:7) "And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'

(Acts 11:8) "But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.'

(Acts 11:9) "But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.'

(Acts 11:10) "Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

(Acts 11:11) "At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.

(Acts 11:12) "Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.

(Acts 11:13) "And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,

(Acts 11:14) 'who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'

(Acts 11:15) "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

(Acts 11:16) "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

(Acts 11:17) "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"

(Acts 11:18) When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."