• Accept Saul, who had been one of the worst enemies it had.
• Accept the Gentiles as part of the Christian church.
We must remember, the young Christian church was composed of Jews who, although saved, had been raised from childhood to consider that anyone who was a gentile, was on the same social level of a dog.
Remember too, that dogs were not held in such high esteem as many are today.
They were not just called upon to tolerate them, but to accept any gentile, who accepted Christ, as a brother or sister in the family of God.
God was asking them to go against every thing they had been taught, to accept what they had strongly detested.
But, isn't it amazing how God can bring about His perfect will.
Look how He accomplishes it in this case.
I. THE VISION
To accomplish this plan to bring the Jews and gentiles together to form His church, God looked down upon the earth and used the best He had from among the Jews, and the gentiles.
From the gentiles He chose Cornelius.
Look at what the Word of God says of him, verses 1-2, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Notice, the Word of God said he picked "a certain man..." Not just any man, but a “Certain man”.
When God gets ready to do something He always finds that "certain" man or woman!
WHAT KIND OF A MAN WAS HE?
A. THE CHARACTER OF CORNELIUS
We see several things about his character in the scriptures.
1. HE WAS, "A DEVOUT MAN..."
Cornelius was a centurion, which is equal to a captain in our army.
He evidently was a smart man in his field, but he knew little about the things of God.
However, with the knowledge he did have, he was a very devoted man.
2. HE, "...FEARED GOD WITH ALL HIS HOUSE...."
He was a man with authority. Along with the power he possessed, there was a greater power.
Notice, not only did he fear God, but he led his family and servants in having a holy fear (reverence) for God.
3. HE, "...GAVE MUCH ALMS TO THE PEOPLE..."
With his rank he probably made a good salary, but he recognized God had not blessed him to greedily consume it upon himself.
4. HE, "...PRAYED TO GOD ALWAY."
He was a man of power and great resources, but he knew this was not enough. The Bible notes that he, "...prayed to God alway."
Oh, how we need more Corneliuses today. What a excellent role model for us to follow.
Illus: Never in the history of mankind has any generation been hurting for good role models the way we are today.
• Many star athletes are not worthy of the price of the ticket it takes to see them perform.
• Many of the actors and actresses should be ashamed of their evil life-style. They do not care how they influence our young people to do evil, as long as they receive that big pay check.
Our society is filled with so many bad role models for the youth of this nation to follow.
What an excellent role model Cornelius was to his family and neighbors.
Notice, that even though morally speaking he was a good man, he was still a lost gentile.
B. THE CURIOSITY OF CORNELIUS
Verses 3-4, "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. 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."
As a result of his much praying and alms giving, God sent an angel to appear to him. This frightened him.
Illus: Now I remind you, he was not only a soldier, he was a centurion, in command of at least one hundred men. He had faced many dangers of battle. But the Bible makes a point to point out he was afraid when the angel appeared.
He was smarter than many today who live every day, shaking their fists in the face of God almighty.
Not only did he fear, he was also curious. He wanted to know why God would send this angel to him -- "What is it, Lord?"
He not only saw the angel, he also HEARD something.
II. THE VOICE
Verses 5-6, "And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."
Cornelius was curious, but the Lord did not tell him everything at that time.
The angel said, "...now send men to Joppa."
Why didn't the angel tell Cornelius how to be saved? Two reasons:
1. ANGELS IN HEAVEN HAVE NEVER SINNED
They do not know a thing about God's marvelous grace. We who have been saved by His grace have been commissioned by God to tell lost men how they can be saved.
2. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENED TO DEATH IF GOD HAD TOLD HIM ALL HE WAS TO DO.
If God told us what the future holds, we would probably all have to take a sleeping pill before we could rest tonight. He does not want us to know until His perfect timing.
The angel could not satisfy Cornelius' curiosity. He told him to send for Peter and that Peter would explain all that God wanted Cornelius to know.
Look at verses 7-8, "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."
Notice that when Cornelius was instructed to send for Peter, he sent two household servants, and the Bible says, "...a devout soldier..."
Cornelius' devotion to God was important to him. Not only that, he was eager to learn more.
As soon as he found out that Peter could help him he sent for him and he made a point of sending his "devout soldier," with the party that was to fetch Peter.
III. THE VOYAGE
God never asks you to do something or go somewhere but what He goes before you there.
A. WHAT PETER SAW.
Look at verses 9-12, "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: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 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: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air."
B. WHAT PETER HEARD
Verses 13-16, "And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven."
C. WHAT PETER DOUBTED
Verses 17-19, "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 inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee."
It is important to understand that at this time Peter did not understand himself what this was all about -- "...Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean..."
But notice God's perfect timing in carrying out His will.
Peter had just concluded his experience of seeing heaven open up and a sheet containing all kinds of animals Jews were forbidden to eat, and heard God's voice instructing him to eat, (of course he was quick to remind the Lord that he could not do this, and never had partaken of unclean food), when the two household servants and the devout soldier knocked on his door -- "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee."
IV. THE VISITOR
Verse 20, "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them."
When God works, He works on both ends.
Illus: If someone come to you and say, “God told me to tell you to do this, do not pay them any attention unless God also tells you!”
God always works on both ends.
God sent these men and now God is telling Peter they are at his door.
A. THE PUZZLE
Verses 21-23, "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? 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. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him."
Now Cornelius and Peter had two pieces of the puzzle, but it would not make sense until they put the two pieces together.
B. THE PUZZLE.
Verses 24-29, "And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 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 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?”
This was a big puzzle and Peter was hoping he soon would find out what it was all about.
Look at verses 30-33, "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, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 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 was saying, "Peter, if you are hoping that we can explain, you are in for a big surprise. While I was praying and fasting God told me to send for you, and I have, and now you are here and we are all waiting..."
V. THE VERIFICATION
Look at verses 34-43, we read, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 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. 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: Him God raised up the third day, and showed 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. 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. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
In these verses 34-43 we read It was when God had Peter before the gentile congregation that He revealed to Peter that He was not , "...a respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Then Peter went on and preached the gospel to them so that they could be saved.
Look at verses 44-48, We read, While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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, 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.
Illus: Ironside said Peter was changed from, "A narrow, selfish, prejudiced Christian, who believed that Christianity was for the Jews only, into a man with a world-wide vision who came to know that Christ was Savior of all men who put their trust in Him."
Look how the Lord verified this.
Illus: The same miraculous thing that happened to the Jews on the day of Pentecost also happened to the gentiles that day, Verse 46, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God..."
When Peter saw this demonstration of the Spirit of God it was all the verification he needed.
Conclusion:
I. THE VISION
II. THE VOICE
IV. THE VISITOR
V. THE VERIFICATION
