SALVATION TO CORNELIUS’ HOUSEHOLD

May 5

We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.

Sermon Title: SALVATION TO CORNELIUS’ HOUSEHOLD

Scripture References: ACTS 10-11:18

Summary:

Our scripture today covers a lot of important lessons that are applicable to us today. We’ll get a behind the scenes look at how God orchestrates a divine moment for people to be saved. How God uses a vision, the gospel and the Holy Spirit to break down barriers and bring people together. We’ll see once again what happens when the Holy Spirit comes and fills believers.

Intro and Context:

Luke, the author of Acts, is strategically showing us how the Holy Spirit empowers the church to be witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. From this point forward, Luke focuses primarily on ministry to the Gentiles.

Some important context: Though Jesus commissioned the apostles to “‘make disciples of all nations’” (Matt. 28:19), they were not eager to do this. Believers who were scattered by the persecution after Stephen’s death preached the gospel at first to Jews only (Acts 11:19). Apparently they interpreted “all nations” to mean the Jews scattered among all nations. It was obvious from the beginning of the Church that being converted to Christ and even being baptized in the Holy Spirit did not automatically remove the prejudices people had grown up with. Peter had made some progress: He had accepted the Lord’s work in saving the Samaritans. But they were circumcised and kept the Law about as well as many of the Jews did. He had not faced the biggest barrier, however. Many laws and customs separated Jews from Gentiles, especially the dietary laws. Nor would any Jew eat food prepared by a Gentile, for he believed this too would make him unclean. For the Jerusalem church Jesus’ words recorded in John 3:16 did not apply to Gentiles; consequently they made no provision for fellowship with Gentiles who did not first come under the Law and consent to circumcision. So the Holy Spirit had to deal with Peter to remove his prejudice and then to enable him to use the keys (Matt. 16:19) to open “the door to Rome and the Gentiles.” -Stanley Horton, ACTS, pages 194-195

Notes:

Acts 10

V. 1-8 Cornelius’ visiting angel

Cornelius, a captain of the Italian regiment of the Roman army is devout and God-fearing. Around 3 pm means Cornelius was praying (v. 30). God received his offering and prayers and God would send His response through Peter.
Cornelius had opened his heart to God through the Jewish faith and practiced their ways, but this did not mean a believer in Christ. Therefore he remained unsaved or not born again. His prayers and good works were missing the first and most important piece, faith in Jesus.
It’s interesting to know here that God can see our offerings and hear our prayers as unbelievers. His ears are open to us when we fear and revere Him but in God’s grace to Cornelius He is sending the Apostle Peter to help him fully know Him through Christ.

V. 9-16 Peter’s Vision

Peter was now being prepared: “God is always faithful to work on both ends of the line.” -Stanely Horton, ACTS, pg. 198
While praying on Simon’s flat roof he went into a trance but this does not mean in the modern sense of the word, nor does it imply a hypnotic state. As we continue to read it was a vision.
Some scholars feel that Peter’s vision dealt more with food laws than with interaction with Gentiles. But this overlooks the fact that the two are woven together. Leviticus 20:24b–26 says the laws of clean and unclean are linked precisely to Israel’s separation from the rest of the nations. Dietary restrictions is all Peter has ever known and they have been set in place to keep God’s people undefiled and holy from other nations. To eat what they eat or even to eat with them was to be defiled and unclean. Peter must have seen unclean animals in the sheet.
When God commanded Peter to eat of these animals, his response was, Surely not, Lord! This was the third time in Peter’s career that he directly refused God’s will (cf. Matt. 16:23; John 13:8).
Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Mark 7:14–23 NLT
Peter’s prejudice was so strong it took three times but that also implies the emphasis. Whenever God wanted to get his point across in scripture he often said it three times.

V. 17-23 Peter begins to apply this vision

Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. Perhaps he was already beginning to discern the lesson of his vision! The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 380).
**Let me encourage us to not wait for angels to motivate us. Let the historical reliability of Gods Word and His faithfulness, the cross and resurrection of Jesus, the signs and wonders that have accompanied the spread of the gospel be enough to bring our friends and family over to share or read a story like this…or to join you at church.

V. 24-33 Cornelius’ household and testimony

V. 24 Cornelius’ household included his family, servants and close friends. He was most likely overwhelmed by this angel’s visit and invited everyone to see what happens next.
27–29. Peter was well aware of the consequences of his fellowshiping with Gentiles in their homes (cf. 11:2–3), but he had learned the lesson of the vision well. The command to eat unclean animals meant he was not to call any man impure or unclean. So he came without protest. -The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 381). Victor Books.

Takeaway: Prayer is where God and man meet; where God’s will begins to unveil on earth.

Once again, we see the value of prayer! Both Cornelius and Peter were praying when God showed up. Sounds like a good reason to pray!
“Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Prayer is a meeting place with God. God tends to communicate when our attention and focus on Him. I wonder why…LOL

Takeaway: God is preparing hearts and orchestrating divine moments for salvation to occur.

The table was set and the audience was divinely prepared. This is what the Holy Spirit does for us as we GO make disciples.
God is working on your unsaved family and friends. God is orchestrating a divine moment where someone will be sharing the gospel and someone will be prepared to receive it. God's orchestration includes us, it could be you who shares the good news and invites someone to believe and repent and they do.
Don’t give up praying for your wayward family member or for your neighbors.
We have to surrender the how and when to God and just keep praying and being available to those who need salvation. Forcing it your way often doesn’t bring genuine results. Let God do it His way and it will be genuine and He will receive the glory

V. 34-43 Peter presents the Gospel of Jesus

In 10 verses Peter summarizes critical points to present the gospel.
Verses 35-36 need to be read together, they are comprehensive. To fear the Lord and do what is right is what marks those who trust and follow Jesus Christ.
Faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. This is saving faith. Saving faith means you recognize your sin and need for salvation in light of Christ’s sacrifice. You agree to repent or leave behind your sinful life in light of Christ’s holiness and sacrifice. You trust in Christ’s finished work and believe you are forgiven, receiving new life in Christ. Cornelius’ household was doing good works but they had not yet trusted in Christ for salvation. This is the turning point for Cornelius’ household and why God directed Peter to their home. But that’s not the only reason…

V. 44-48 The Gentile Pentecost

As Peter is sharing the gospel…
In Acts 2 we had the first Pentecost, which was upon the Jews. In Acts 8 we had the Samaritan Pentecost. Now, we have the Gentile Pentecost.
The order of these events was believing in Christ as Peter preaches the gospel, receiving the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and being baptized in water. The reality of Cornelius’ conversion was confirmed by Peter’s staying with him several days, probably to instruct him more fully in his newfound faith.
God even orchestrates the moment where you are baptized and receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

11:1-18

Peter faces criticism from the Jewish believers who were still operating under the old thinking and ways of their judaism.
V. 4-14 Peter recounts what just took place with Cornelius’ household.
Acts 11:15-17 - describes this baptism in the Holy Spirit just like what happened on the Day of Pentecost and that it came “‘after believing’” (v. 17, NASB). Later, in Acts 15:8 Peter says, “‘God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.’” This surely means that the baptism in the Holy Spirit bore witness to the faith they already had before they were filled with the Spirit. -Stanley Horton, ACTS, pages 207-208.
The Jewish Believers could not object any longer and how wise was it that Peter had 6 witnesses with him to verify his testimony.

Takeaway: There is no salvation and no way to eternal life except through faith in Jesus.

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. That name is Jesus.

Jesus Christ, died and rose again to save all people. The Gospel of Jesus Christ breaks down barriers between different people groups and cultures to make one new nation of people, the kingdom and family of God.
The way to be set saved from the penalty of sin and receive eternal life is open for all but there is only one narrow way, faith in Christ!

Takeaway: Jesus longs to fill believers with the Holy Spirit

Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Acts 1:4-5 “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Yield to Jesus. Trust in Jesus for salvation and with your life. Come to God and over your life to Him. Jesus baptizes us and fills us with the Holy Spirit to empower and help us live the saved and sanctified life.

Discussion:

What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
How has God used a vision, the gospel and the Holy Spirit to break down barriers in your life?
Is there a person or a cause that you have “given up” praying for?
What takeaways or points did you find the most important to you during the sermon?

The most important decision you will ever make!

If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!

We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.

Pray Together

We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!

Ryan Coon