1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
The whole book of Acts is transitional in that it tells of the beginning of the church. Acts chapter ten is pivotal for us non-jews. Jesus leaves his instructions to be witnesses, to the uttermost part of the earth. However, until chapter ten this, witness work, has taken place only in or near Jerusalem and to the Jews. Not until after Stephen’s stoning and Saul’s call does the work extend to the Gentiles. Chapter ten tells of soldier Cornelius and his family.
Because Acts is transitional and tells of such an important time in history, miracles, tongues, healings and angelic appearances are still occurring fairly regularly. That is exactly what happens with Cornelius. He was praying in the afternoon (Acts 10:30) and saw a vision of an angel who told him to send for the Apostle Peter. Peter, in Joppa, a city on the coast some 54 kilometers south of Caesarea, was in prayer at noon, and he too saw a vision. It was the day after Cornelius’ vision.
In the vision that Peter saw there was a great sheet that came down from heaven. In that sheet there were all types of animals, both those clean to eat and those that were prohibited by the Law. Jesus spoke from heaven telling Peter to kill and eat whatever he wanted from the grouping of animals. Peter refused stating that he had never eaten anything unclean.
However, this same scene repeated three times and then the sheet vanished. What on earth was going on? God telling Peter to eat something unlawful? How could that be?
As he pondered this troubling question, Cornelius’ men called at the gate. Immediately the Holy Spirit told Peter to go and greet the men and to not hesitate to go with them.
“So what does all of this have to do with us?”, you might ask? Everything! Peter does something that he has avoided his whole life. He goes into a Gentile's house. He asked why they had called for him and was told about the heavenly vision that Cornelius had the day before. Cornelius then said, “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
You talk about a witnessing opportunity! What would you have told this family? Peter knew what to tell them and spoke of Jesus. His message was short, to the point and powerful enough to cause the Holy Spirit to bless it tremendously.
The message was:
I realize that God doesn’t show favoritism.
There is peace through the Lord Jesus.
He reminded them of what Jesus did in Israel.
He told them of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
He told how that Jesus was seen by a chosen few after he rose,
He told of the command to preach that he was the Messiah.
Even the prophets of the message of forgiveness in Jesus.
That was it! A short, 225 word sermon, packed with the truth and power of the Gospel. So simple, yet powerful, that the Holy Spirit came in Salvation on Cornelius’ whole Gentile family! Thus opening the door of Salvation for you and me!
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