Acts Chapter 10
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
- Luke 2:32
The book of Acts is a transitional book about a unique transitional time, from which we do not and can not draw our doctrines, and very few of our practices. It transitions from Jew to Gentiles, very awkwardly, because of religious tradition. The Gentiles were eager; it was the religious Jews such as Peter who resisted giving the Gospel to the Gentiles. But Jesus foretold He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not destroy it.
Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 10:1
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
- Caesarea was the Roman capitol city for that area.
- Caesarea was built by Herod, and named after Caesar.
- Being a "Centurion" means he was banded with around 99 other soldiers
- A "band" is what we call today a troop, or battalion.
- This is the farthest fulfillment of Acts 1:8, "the uttermost part of the world"
- This is also, "to the Gentile"......
- He was also a Jewish proselyte, so he was seeking God even before getting saved
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
CAESAREA
Matthew 16:13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mark 8:27
And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
Acts 8:40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Acts 9:30
Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Acts 11:11
And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Acts 12:19
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Acts 18:22
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
Acts 21:8
And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Acts 21:16
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Acts 23:23
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Acts 23:33
Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
Acts 25:1
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Acts 25:4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Acts 25:6
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
Acts 25:13
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
Acts 10:2
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
- Faithful, fearful, generous giver, prayer warrior
- Being devout is one thing, but this is being devout towards God, with the inward heart reflected by the outward actions
- "All his house" means he led all of them in his house on their walk
Pray without ceasing.
Acts 10:3
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
- This is about three in the afternoon
- Angels and God nearly always greet first by saying the person's name to get attention
- Righteous Lot, Gideon, Manoah's wife were a few exceptions
- Whenever God was going to use someone mightily and used an angel to call them, He started with their name
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
- Angels speak for God, evidenced here by Cornelius calling him "Lord", as he recognized the source of the angel and his visit
- This angel of God is obviously the LORD Jesus Christ Himself, or why else respond when He is called "LORD"?
- Cornelius also knew who this was, as he did not ask who it was, like Saul (Paul) did
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
GOD HEARS THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS
Genesis 16:11And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
Genesis 21:17
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
Genesis 29:33
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
Exodus 16:9
And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.
2 Kings 19:4
It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
Psalms 6:8
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
Psalms 6:9
The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
Psalms 28:6
Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
Psalms 66:19
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Psalms 116:1
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Isaiah 37:4
It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.
Numbers 11:1
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Numbers 12:2
And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Deuteronomy 1:34
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying,
Deuteronomy 5:28
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
Deuteronomy 26:7
And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:
1 Samuel 7:9
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
1 Kings 17:22
And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
Psalms 34:6
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalms 78:21
Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Acts 10:5
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
- Joppa was 28 miles from Caesarea, so about 19 hours by horseback, straight through
- Peter in chapter nine was there for Tabitha (Dorcas) who he had raised from the dead
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
- Simon Peter was with Simon the tanner, and evidently near good fishing!
- A tanner prepares animals' hides for things such as clothing, bags, tents, vellum, etc.
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
- A devout man with a devout soldier, and godly combination
- A devout man is who you send when God asks you to "Send men"
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
- This is about twenty eight miles distance, a day for Peter to return back from (v. 23-24)
- Peter is praying on the roof at noon time, lunch time.
- In Peter's two epistles, he only mentions prayer (pray, prayer, prayers, praying) three times, but apparently he was a man of prayer
- Paul mentions the words around ten times that much, but wrote more than ten times the words.
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
- When you are hungry, what do you dream of?
- When you are hungry, do you eat, wait to eat and stay awake, or fall asleep?
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
- A lunch wrapped in a tablecloth...who needs a table?
- This sheet represents the Church
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
- This is food he has never eaten, but seen in the markets in Jerusalem
- Creeping things, fowls-insects, lizards, raptors, shellfish perhaps, even pigs (Leviticus 11)
- This is Gentile food, not kosher for any Jew of the day
- The animals (beasts) represent the Gentiles
- This is ONE vessel (sheet), many many Gentiles into really two different groups (Jew, Gentile)
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Acts 10:13
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
- God is giving the OK to a new way-Gentiles
- God's dietary laws were for their health and obedience was also, but there is health and there is legalism
- There is health, legalism, logic, reason and then there is emotions, feelings, personal preferences
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Acts 10:14
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
- Peter was a Jew, and Jews had no real dealing with Gentiles, then as now, with exceptions
- The book of Acts is a purely transitional book, from which we do not draw our doctrine any more than we do from the Old Testament, but which has lessons in early church history.
- The transition is from a purely Jewish focus to the Church focus, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
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THE GENTILES
- Literally called "the gentiles" as such in 112
- Gentiles divided out and called out through tongues at Babel, before Abraham (Genesis 10:5)
- The Gentiles were prophesied to come to Jesus, our Ensign (Isaiah 11:10)
- Jesus was to bring forth judgment to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:1)
- Israel was to be a light to us (Isaiah 46:6, 49:22)
- Gentiles were to be Israel's inheritance(Isaiah 54:3)
- The Gentiles will come to Israel during the time of Christ on earth (Isaiah 60:5,11)
- The Gentiles will serve Israel during that time (Isaiah 60:16)
- The Gentiles will serve Israel with food during that time (Isaiah 61:6)
- Israel will be revered by the Gentiles (Isaiah 61:9)
- The Gentiles will see the righteousness of Israel (Isaiah 62:2)
- The Gentiles will treat Israel like a child nurtured of its mother (Isaiah 66:12)
- Israel will glorify God to the Gentiles in the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 66:19)
- God called the Gentiles to destroy Israel (Jeremiah 4:7)
- The rain dances and idols of the Gentiles can not change the weather and bring showers of rain (Jeremiah 14:22)
- Gentiles prophesied to come to the LORD (Jeremiah 16:19)
- The day of the LORD is a day of judgment of the Gentiles (Jeremiah 46)
- Gentile Babylonians took Israel captive (Lamentations 2:9)
- God drove the nation of Israel into the Gentile Nations (Ezekiel 4:13, Hosea 8:8)
- In the end, it will be Israel versus the Gentiles (Joel 3)
- Israel was scattered among the Gentiles, over an over really (Micah 5)
- The Gentiles have always invaded and tried to destroy Israel (Zechariah 1:21)
- The LORD promised His Name would be great among the Gentiles (Malachi 1:11)
- Jesus came to the land of the Gentiles (Matthew 4:15)
- Gentiles worry about God supplying their needs (Matthew 6:32)
- The Gospel was NOT to the Gentiles first, according to Jesus(Matthew 10:15)
- The Apostles were prophesied to be a witness of Jesus before Gentiles (Matthew 10:18)
- Jesus, as the Servant of God the Father, will show judgment to the Gentiles (Matthew 12:18)
- The Gentiles will come to Jesus for salvation (Matthew 12:21)
- Jesus was prophesied to be and was delivered to the Gentiles (Matthew 20:19, Luke 18:32)
- Gentiles love power (Matthew 20:25, Mark 10:33)
- The Master/Servant heart of Gentiles is to be master (Mark 10:42, Luke 22:25)
- Jesus is the light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32, Acts 13:47)
- The Church Age is the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24)
- The apostles thought Jesus was going to the Gentiles when He said, "Whither I go ye cannot follow"(John 7:35)
- The Jews, Gentiles and Roman leadership were all against Jesus (Acts 4:27)
- The Jews were given Gentile land as their home (Acts 7:45)
- Paul was chosen to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15)
- The Jews were astonished when Gentiles received the Holy Ghost, just like them (Acts 10:45)
- Word spread to Judea that the Gentiles were getting saved (Acts 11:1)
- After hearing this news, the Jews glorified God (Acts 11:18)
- The Gentiles wanted to hear the Gospel the next Sabbath, after the Jews heard it in the synagogue (Acts 13:42)
- Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles when the Jews rejected the Gospel (Acts 13:46)
- The Gentiles were glad and glorified God when they heard the Gospel was for them (Acts 13:48)
- The Gentiles were used as a pawn by the Jews to stir up hatred against the apostles (Acts 14:2,5)
- Paul and Barnabas spread the news to Antioch, Phenice, Samaria how the Gentiles were saved also (Acts 14:27, Acts 15:3)
- The salvation of Gentiles was ordained by God (Act 15:7)
- The Gentiles were accepted as co-heirs in Christ (Acts 15:12)
- It was acknowledged that this is a fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 15:17)
- The believing Jews were then told not to give the Gentiles in the Church problems (Acts 15:19)
- The Gentiles were told they were not under the law by letter to Antioch (Acts 15:23)
- Paul surrendered converting the Jews to a Gentile ministry in Corinth as a tent maker (Acts 18:6)
- Paul was prophesied to be delivered to the Gentiles by the Jews at Jerusalem (Acts 21:11)
- At Jerusalem, Paul spoke of the Gentile ministry with the other apostles (Acts 21:19)
- Gentiles were not required to perform the offerings of Jews (Acts 21:25)
- Paul was directly commissioned from the LORD Jesus Christ to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21, Acts 26:17, 20, Acts 28:28)
- The light of the Gospel was to spread to the Gentiles (Acts 26:23)
- Paul wanted to have fruit among the Gentiles (Romans 1:13)
- Gentiles are after Jews, in order (Romans 2:9-10)
- The Gentiles were not given the Law (Romans 2:14)
- The Gentiles blaspheme God (Romans 2:24)
- The Gentiles are just as much sinners as the Jews (Romans 3:9)
- In the Church, God is the God of both Jew and Gentile (Romans 3:29)
- We are called with Jews to show God's Glory in our weak flesh (Romans 9:24)
- We got the Gospel after the Jews stumbled on it (Romans 11:11)
- The fall of the Jews became our riches, blessings (Romans 11:12)
- Paul was the Gentile apostle, and spoke directly to them (Romans 11:13)
- The Church age is the Gentile period, after which (when it is full) the focus returns to Israel (Romans 11:25)
- This fulfilled Deuteronomy 32:43 (Gentiles, "the nations") and God expects glory and worship from this (Romans 15:9-11)
- The Messiah would rule, reign and we would trust in Christ (Isaiah 11:20, Romans 15:12)
- Paul was the Minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Romans 15:16)
- Paul completed this task obediently (Romans 15:18)
- The Gentiles were to give an offering, like the Jews were to give a tithe (Romans 15:27)
- The Gentile churches specifically called out (Romans 16:4)
- Gentiles in the Church called out for fornication like that of unbelieving, heathen, pagan Gentiles without (1 Corinthians 5:1)
- Gentiles sacrifice to devils (1 Corinthians 10:20)
- There is the Church, the Jew, the Gentile-all separate (1 Corinthians 10:32)
- Gentiles are idolaters (1 Corinthians 12:2)
- Gentiles and Jews the same in the Church (1 Corinthians 12:3)
- Paul shared his Gentile Gospel to the Jews at Jerusalem (Acts 19:21, Galatians 2:2)
- Paul claimed to be used by Jesus like Peter to the Jews, toward the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8)
- Paul rebuked Peter for requiring the Gentiles to walk as Jews (Galatians 2:14)
- Gentiles are are not Jewish sinners by their nature, but are still known as sinners by nature, like all people (Galatians 2:15)
- The Church is a fulfillment of part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Galatians 3:14)
- Unsaved Gentiles are "uncircumcised, in the flesh" (Ephesians 2:11)
- Paul was a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1)
- The Gentiles in the body the Gentiles are fellow heirs, of the same body, partakers of his promise in Christ through accepting the Gospel (Ephesians 3:6)
- Paul considered it a gracious privilege to be able to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles(Ephesians 3:8)
- Gentiles unsaved walk in vanity (Ephesians 4:17)
- The Church is a glorious, rich mystery of the Old Testament (Colossians 1:27)
- The Jews did not want the Gospel to go to the Gentiles (1 Thessalonians 2:16)
- By nature, Gentiles do not know God (1 Thessalonians 4:5)
- Paul was a preacher, teacher and an apostle of the Gentiles (1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 2:11, 2 Timothy 4:17)
- Gentiles getting the Gospel is also mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16)
- Peter wanted Christians to be Christlike in front of Gentiles (1 Peter 2:12)
- Peter characterized the Gentiles as those who displayed and practiced lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:3)
- John commended Gaius for not taking anything of the Gentiles for his ministry (3 John 1:7)
- The Gentiles were never allowed in the temple, and had their own "Court of the Gentiles" (Revelation 11:2)
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Judges 4:2
And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
Judges 4:13
And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
Judges 4:16
But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
Isaiah 11:10
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42:6
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Isaiah 49:22
Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
Isaiah 54:3
For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Isaiah 60:3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isaiah 60:5
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
Isaiah 60:11
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
Isaiah 60:16
Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 61:6
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isaiah 61:9
And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Isaiah 62:2
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Isaiah 66:12
For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Isaiah 66:19
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Jeremiah 4:7
The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
Jeremiah 14:22
Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
Jeremiah 16:19
O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Jeremiah 46:1
The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
Lamentations 2:9
Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.
Ezekiel 4:13
And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them.
Hosea 8:8
Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
Joel 3:9
Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
Micah 5:8
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Zechariah 1:21
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 4:15
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
Matthew 6:32
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Matthew 10:18
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:21
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Matthew 20:19
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Matthew 20:25
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mark 10:33
Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
Mark 10:42
But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Luke 2:32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 18:32
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
Luke 21:24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luke 22:25
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
John 7:35
Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
Acts 4:27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Acts 7:45
Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 11:1
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 13:42
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:47
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Acts 13:48
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 14:2
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Acts 14:5
And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Acts 15:3
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
Acts 15:7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Acts 15:12
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
Acts 15:14
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Acts 15:17
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Acts 15:19
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Acts 15:23
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Acts 18:6
And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Acts 21:11
And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Acts 21:19
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Acts 21:21
And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Acts 21:25
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Acts 22:21
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
Acts 26:17
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Acts 26:23
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Acts 28:28
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Romans 1:13
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Romans 2:9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Romans 2:10
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Romans 2:14
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Romans 3:9
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
Romans 3:29
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Romans 9:24
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Romans 9:30
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Romans 11:11
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Romans 11:12
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
Romans 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 15:9
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Romans 15:10
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
Romans 15:11
And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
Romans 15:12
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Romans 15:27
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
Romans 16:4
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 5:1
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1 Corinthians 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1 Corinthians 10:32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1 Corinthians 12:2
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Galatians 2:8
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Galatians 2:12
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Galatians 2:14
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Galatians 2:15
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Galatians 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Ephesians 2:11
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Ephesians 3:6
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Colossians 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1 Thessalonians 2:16
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thessalonians 4:5
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Timothy 2:7
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2 Timothy 1:11
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2 Timothy 4:17
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 4:3
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
3 John 1:7
Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
Revelation 11:2
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
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Acts 10:15
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
- God was to build His Church
- It was to be no longer Jew and Gentiles, but one body
- That meant no more having to go to the Jews to get saved; a focus shift, temporarily
- Gentiles were unclean in the Old Testament
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 15:23-28
And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Galatians 3:27-29
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Acts 10:16
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
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THRICE
- Three men came to Peter after this (Acts 10:19)
- Three feast a year for the Jews-the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles, or the Sabbaths, the new moons, the solemn feast(Exodus 23:14, Deuteronomy 16:16, 2 Chronicles 8:13, Exodus 34:24)
- They were to bring males to sacrifice at these three times (Exodus 23:17, Exodus 34:23)
- The ass turned from the Angel of the LORD three times under Balaam(Numbers 22:33)
- Balaam struck the ass he was riding on three times (Numbers 22:28)
- God even confronted him on this action (Numbers 22:32)
- Balaam then blessed Israel three times (Numbers 24:10)
- Delilah was denied the answer to Samson's strength three times (Judges 16:15)
- David bowed to the ground three times seeing Jonathan to get news of Saul's persecution (1 Samuel 20:41)
- Solomon offered peace and burnt offerings three times a year (1 Kings 9:25)
- Elisha stretched himself out on the woman's son three times (1 Kings 17:21)
- Three feasts: the Sabbaths, on the new moons, on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. (2 Chronicles 8:13)
- Daniel prayed three times a day with the windows opened (Daniel 6:10, 13)
- Joash smote the ground three times with the arrows in his hand , signifying deliverance from the Syrians three times and was rebuked by Elisha on his deathbed (2 Kings 13:18-19)
- PETER denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed (Matthew 26:34, 75, Mark 14:30, 14:72, Luke 22:34, 22:61, John 13:38)
- Paul was shipwrecked three times (2 Corinthians 11:25)
- Paul asked God three times to remove his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8)
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
Exodus 23:17
Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
Numbers 22:28
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
Numbers 22:32
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
Numbers 22:33
And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
Numbers 24:10
And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Judges 16:15
And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.
1 Samuel 20:41
And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
1 Kings 9:25
And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
1 Kings 17:21
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
2 Kings 13:25
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
2 Chronicles 8:13
Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel 6:13
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
Acts 11:10
And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
Exodus 34:23
Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
Exodus 34:24
For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.
2 Kings 13:18
And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.
2 Kings 13:19
And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.
Matthew 26:34
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Matthew 26:75
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Mark 14:30
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mark 14:72
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Luke 22:34
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Luke 22:61
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
John 13:38
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Acts 10:16
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
2 Corinthians 11:25
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2 Corinthians 12:8
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
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Acts 10:17
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
- Perfect timing-as in time to wake up, so that the dream becomes reality
- Three sheets to the wind, three men arrive
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
- God is never wrong; men can be, and could arrive at the wrong house
- Right house or not, you have to be polite according to customs
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
- Just in case Peter did not believe the dream, God is about to prove it is from Him
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
- This is the most certain a person can be, perhaps.
- GO, DO NOT DOUBT, IT IS MY DIRECT WILL VISUALLY PRESENTED TO YOU HERE AND NOW
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
- Peter has the fulfillment of the dream but, just in case...
- He knows that they are here; he does not know why, or what this has to do with the dream yet-faith!
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
- This is a repeat of verse two about Cornelius
- This is what it means to "send men to Joppa to call for Peter" (v.5)
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
- There were six men with Peter, and the three from Cornelius makes ten
JOPPA (JAFFA), TEL AVIV
- Joppa, or Jaffa, is today what we call, Tel Aviv ("the Hill of Spring”)
- One of the oldest working harbors in the world
- Tel Aviv (Ezekiel 3:15) is the largest metropolitan area in Israel
- Jonah fled here (Jonah 1:3)
- Solomon had the cedars brought here and then to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 2:16)
- Peter had come here to raise Tabitha(Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-42)
- Joppa is on the Great sea (Mediterranean Sea), the westernmost border given to God by Israel, finally taken under David
From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Ezekiel 3:15
Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
2 Chronicles 2:16
And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
Ezra 3:7
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Acts 11:12
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
Acts 10:24
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
- If there is going to be some sort of news, it might as well spread
- It is certain that Peter's reputation was known well in Joppa
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
- This is classic Romanism, the worship of men, dumb idols.
- There is an old saying, "Beware of anyone who falls at your feet. They can pull the rug out from under you."
- This is why Catholics think (the only reason they think) that Peter was the first pope.
- Unfortunately for them, there is no evidence Peter was anything other than a wicked sinner of a fisherman, and acknowledged as such
"The Pope does not pretend to be God and does not seek worship that belongs to God alone. He is a man, but his vocation is to lead the Church of Jesus Christ on Earth, fulfilling the commission that Christ gave to His Apostle, Peter."
Acts 10:26
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
- Peter rejected the worship, this part of the verse often omitted from any Roman Catholic references to Peter accepting worship.
- Peter even went out of his way to bend down (bow) and lift him up himself
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
- Cornelius had invited them and they came (v.24)
- It was Jesus who spoke to Cornelius originally, not Peter (v.4)
- It was Jesus who spoke to Peter originally (v.14). This was not Peters idea
- It was the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ who told Peter the three men were at the door downstairs (v.19)
SIMON PETER: MERE MORTAL MAN
- Peter was "A stone", NOT THE Stone, and certainly not THE ROCK
John 1:42
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. - Jesus is Our Rock, throughout Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Matthew 7:24
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. - Was yelled at for denying that the Cross was necessary
Matthew 16:21-23 (also Mark 8, Luke 4)
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; - Denied Christ three times and was yelled at by a rooster
Matthew 26:33-35
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Matthew 26:69-75
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. - Peter was not the Rock upon which the Church was built, nor any popes, and said so in his first epistle
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
1 Peter 2:4-9
To whom (Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:19-21) coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
2 Samuel 22:2-4 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. - Jesus rebuked Peter for the disciples falling asleep while Jesus prayed
Matthew 26:40
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? - Peter drew a sword and lopped of the servant of the High Priest's ear, which Jesus (not Peter) healed on the spot
Matthew 26:51
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Mark 14:47
And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
Luke 22:50
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.John 18:26
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? - Peter lacked the faith to go to Jesus, walking on the water
Matthew 14:28-31
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? - Peter was MARRIED
Matthew 8:14
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.
Mark 1:30
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
Luke 4:38
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
- The vision/dream of the beasts apparently still had not sunk in, as Peter was nearly still of the Jewish mindset of Gentiles being unworthy for him to visit
- He is cautiously changing now, though he still does not want it known that he is here
- In the Old Testament, God told the Jews to not take on the Gentiles(pagans, heathens) practices, nor their religion, nor their wives. However, if they were to convert to Judaism, they were to be accepted, such as Ruth.
- This is the transition from Jew/Gentile, it matters which, to Church-Jew, or Gentile, it does not matter
- This is evidence of what Peter did call Gentiles before this, "Common" and "Unclean"
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
- The dream was the appetizer; this is the setting for the entree.
- "without gainsaying" means he is not in opposition to them, not willing to contradict-he just wants to know why he is there with Gentiles
To contradict; to oppose in words; to deny or declare not to be true what another says; to controvert; to dispute; applied to persons, or to propositions, declarations or facts.
I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke 21. Acts 10:30
And 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,
- Angels coming to earth to men, outside of Revelation-always in the form of men.
- Angels visiting men in the Bible also did not have wings
- Four days to get to Peter, stay with him, bring him back to Cornelius (v. 17, 23-24)
Acts 10:31
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
- If Cornelius was not saved at that time, then this answers that old question, "What about the heathen in the jungle?" since Cornelius obviously had never heard the Gospel, as evidenced by Peter when he arrived.
- If Cornelius was saved, Peter is the interlocutor for the truth of Gentiles, and Cornelius is the start of Peter's Gentile Ministry of tiny focus, as Gentile missions was for Paul.
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
- Cornelius may have thought Peter would delay or not come at all, because Peter is a Jew, Cornelius a Gentile.
- Again, Cornelius, saved or unsaved, is a prayer warrior who wants to know more about the God of the saved Jews, the LORD Jesus Christ
- Such knowledge would have been unattainable to a Gentile then, outside of the synagogue, which they could not enter
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
- Peter has calculated that Cornelius would not have known who Simon Peter was, so this has to be a divine appointment, since they both heard that Peter was called to come here
- This would have been a stunning revelation to Peter, being a Jew. Even though his own Old Testament Scriptures declared so.
- Once again, this shows the unique, special and forever bond God has with the nation of Israel
GOD: NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS
Romans 2:11For there is no respect of persons with God.
Deuteronomy 10:17
For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
2 Chronicles 19:7
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Colossians 3:25
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Galatians 2:6
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Ephesians 6:9
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
1 Peter 1:17
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Acts 10:35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
- Fear of God....faith in God, salvation through Jesus Christ
- Works of righteousness can only be done by saved people
- Works without Christ as the foundation are hay, straw, stubble, to be burned
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Acts 10:36
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
- God sent Jesus first to Israel, not the Gentiles
- Jesus is the Word, the Living Word, sent to Israel
- Jesus is also the Prince of Peace-peace with God
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Revelation 19:11-13
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Luke 2:11-14
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Acts 10:37
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
- John preached the baptism of repentance for sins
- At that point (Gospels, John the Baptist), it was for the REMISSION of sins, not redemption
- His preaching was for ISRAEL
- Those believers baptized did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
- After Acts 19, this Baptism is never spoken of again, as the focus is shifted to the Gentiles
THE BAPTISM OF JOHN
Mark 1:4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Luke 7:29
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Acts 1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 13:24
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts 18:25
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
Matthew 21:25-27
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Luke 20:4-8
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
PAUL AND THE BAPTISM OF JOHN: ACTS 19
Acts 19:1-7And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.
Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
- They more likely would at some point have heard of this Jesus of Nazareth
- They would not have heard of the Holy Ghost, more likely
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
- Again, the four Gospels have a purely JEWISH flavor, to JEWS, not Gentiles, as here, making the Acts book a transitional period
- This is why we must not glean our doctrine and practices from Acts, as it is a unique time
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
- The Resurrection was eyewitnessed by the apostles and four hundred others.
- Yet, even the apostles themselves had to have their eyes opened to see this correctly
- The idea the Jews have today and had then is only that the Messiah would come and rescue them from Rome, their oppressor and today, all of the enemies in the Middle East, Europe, elsewhere.........this looking will lead them to the anti-Christ, because they seek peace (a false peace)
THE WITNESS OF THE RESURRECTION
Luke 24:36-48And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Acts 10:42
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
- Part of the Gospel is that Jesus is coming back to judge, not bless
- The removal of hell from the Gospel message (the bad news) weakens the message that Jesus came to die on the Cross for us to save us form that hell.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 5:21-22
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: Acts 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
- God said He would send His Son, born a Jew
- God said the Messiah would die for the sins of Israel and all of mankind
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 53:1-6
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Daniel 9:26
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Acts 3:18
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Acts 10:44
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
- These were Old Testament people, entering the New Testament covenant-receiving the Holy Ghost
- They heard the Word......of God
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Acts 10:45-46
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
- The key part to understanding the gift of tongues is again emphasized for us in this verse, again-"they of the circumcision", "heard them speak with tongues"
- This is the transition of Jew (Messianic Jew) to Gentile (the Gentile Church)
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
- The implied answer is "no!"
- The Baptism with immersion in water is because they heard the Word, believed it, the Holy Ghost was now inside of them, and they were saved by the Blood of the Lamb, the LORD Jesus Christ!
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
