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Acts Chapter Ten

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Witness Was Spread to the Household of the Gentile Cornelius

I. The guidance of the vision:

  A. Cornelius’ vision (v.1-8).

  B. Peter’s vision (v.9-16).

II. Peter visited the house of Cornelius:

  A. The men who were sent by Cornelius met Peter (v.17-23).

  B. Peter accompanied them to the house of Cornelius (v.24-27).

  C. Peter asked the reason why he was invited (v.28-29).

  D. Cornelius told him the reason (v.30-33).

III. The message of Peter:

  A. God is just and He shows no partiality (v.34-35).

  B. Jesus Christ is Lord of all (v.36-39a).

  C. He was crucified and was risen up on the third day (v.39b-41).

  D. Peter testified that He is Judge and whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins (v.42-43).

IV. The household of Cornelius were saved: 

  A. The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word (v.44-46)------the baptism of the Spirit.

  B. Peter told men to baptize them (v.47-48)------the baptism of water.

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

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

   YLT: “And there was a certain man in Cesarea, by name Cornelius, a centurion from a band called Italian,”

   The Background: though in the eighth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the Lord’s witness had been spread to Samaria, Samarians were not the pure Gentiles but the mixed race of the Jews and the Gentiles. At the end of the eighth chapter, the story that a Gentile Ethiopia eunuch was saved is recorded. However, the sphere that had been influenced was limited in a small country in North Africa. The work of the gospel that was expanded to all the Gentiles started from the household of Cornelius’ receiving the gospel. At that time the dominion of the Roman Empire included the essential areas of the three continents---Europe, Asia and Africa and the Roman citizens were edified by the “Greco-Roman Culture”. And therefore once one has been saved, the gospel will be immediately preached to other regions and races.

   Literal Meaning: There was a certain man in Caesarea” “Caesarea” was a garrison where the Roman Empire set apart the governor of Palestine. Most of its residents were Greek.

  “A centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment” “The Italian Regiment” was a volunteer army that was made up of Roman citizens who grew up in Italy. “Regiment” was the Roman Military Establishment and there were about six hundred infantrymen in every regiment. It was led by the chiliarchy. And a centurion was set in every one hundred men. According to the historical data, the centurions in the Roman army had to have the following qualifications: “do not rely on the physical strength. Do not rush. Have the good leadership. Have the stable and prudent mind. Do not attack easily. Do not fire casually. Stand firm on their own positions when facing frustrations and hardships.”

 

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

   YLT: “pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always,”

   Literal Meaning: “a devout man” “devout” refers to the good expression of religious faith in life.

 “One who feared God with all his household” “Fearing God” means to holding the respectful and fearful attitude towards God. The word is used to describe a Gentile who believes that God is the only God, usually reads the Bible, obeys some ceremonies and regulations, however, he has not been fully converted to Judaism. Not only Cornelius himself but also “all his household” feared God.

  Please note that “devout” and “fear” are slightly different: “fear” refers to the negative fear of God; “devout” refers to living out the image of God positively (1Tim. 3:16).

  “Who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” It is the normal behaviors of the devout men to do good to men willingly and pray to God on time.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A military officer who is faithful to the country could also be a devout man to God.

2) Whether one fears God could be seen from his family members because the one who is devout and fears God truly must more or less influence his family members through his behaviors.

3) We believers should take care of the states of our family members before God and lead them to fear God------but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah (Josh. 24:15).

4) The true devoutness is balanced in loving God and loving men. If men indeed have devout hearts before God, they will have good deeds before men. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard (Prov. 21:13).

5) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world (James. 1:27).

 

Acts. 10:3 “About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, Cornelius!’”

   YLT: “he saw in a vision manifestly, as it were the ninth hour of the day, a messenger of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, `Cornelius;'”

   Literal Meaning: “about the ninth hour of the day” “the ninth hour of the day” is three o’clock in the afternoon and it is the time when the devout Jews pray on time (Acts. 3:1).

  “He…in a vision” “Vision” refers to the scene that the physical eyes could see (here what Cornelius saw) or the scene that the inner eyes could see in a trance (what Peter saw in the next paragraph, See v.10-17).

  “He saw clearlyan angel of God coming in” “Saw clearly” indicates seeing clearly with the physical eyes. In the Acts of the Apostles, that the angel appeared to men is recorded many times (Acts. 5:19; 6:15; 7:30, 35, 38, 53; 8:26; 10:3, 7, 22; 11:13; 12:7-10, 11, 15, 23; 23:8, 9; 27:23). However, none of these are out of men’s request but of God’s authority.

 

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

   YLT: “and he having looked earnestly on him, and becoming afraid, said, `What is it, Lord?' And he said to him, `Thy prayers and thy kind acts came up for a memorial before God,”

   Literal Meaning: “And when he observed him” “Observing” in the original means “looking earnestly” or “gazing steadily”.

  “He was afraid, and said, What is it, lord?’” The reaction of Cornelius shows that when he saw the vision, his mind was quite sober.

  “Have come up for a memorial before God” “Having come up” describes that the smoke of the burning of sacrifices curls upwards and comes to God (Lev. 4:31; Rev. 8:4). The devout behaviors of Cornelius have been acceptable to God and He leads him further to become one of the children of God.

 

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

   YLT: “and now send men to Joppa, and send for a certain one Simon, who is surnamed Peter,”

   Literal Meaning: and send for Simon whose surname is Peter” It means that God wants to teach him through Peter and makes him know the word of God (See v.33; Acts. 11:14). It proves that though the devout one who fears God and gives alms generously to the poor (See v.2, 4), all these cannot make him be saved.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though the angel appeared to Cornelius, the angel did not directly preach the gospel to him. Many times, God does not speak Himself or through the angel, He has instructed the mission of preaching the gospel and teaching men to His servants, showing that the position of “men” is important in God’s works.

2) It is a very important thing to serve God by words. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine (1Tim. 5:17).

 

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

   YLT: “this one doth lodge with a certain Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea; this one shall speak to thee what it behoveth thee to do.'”

   Literal Meaning: He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea” “A tanner” is workman who makes leathers. They were always unclean (Num. 19:11-13) because they always dealt with the dead bodies of animals. They were not allowed by the Jewish law to live together with the people in the city and therefore they had to live in the places by the sea.

 

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

   YLT: “And when the messenger who is speaking to Cornelius went away, having called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier of those waiting on him continually,”

   Literal Meaning: and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually” It indicates that the soldier of Cornelius also feared God, showing that Cornelius had influence on those who are around him. 

   Enlightenment in the Word: a devout one must influence those who are with him in his life.

 

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

   YLT: “and having declared to them all things, he sent them to Joppa.”

   Literal Meaning: So when he had explained all these things to them” means “he had told them the reasons for all these things”.

 

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

   YLT: “And on the morrow, as these are proceeding on the way, and are drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour,”

   The Background: The devout Jews pray three times on time every day: the third hour, the sixth hour and the ninth hour, i.e. morning (i.e. nine o’clock in the morning) sacrifice, noon (twelve o’clock) sacrifice and evening (i.e. three o’clock in the afternoon) sacrifice.

   Literal Meaning: as they went on their journeyabout the sixth hour” There were about three to four hours ride from Caesarea to Joppa and therefore if they started off by riding early in the morning, they could arrive at the destination about at noon.

  “Went up on the housetop to pray” In ancient times, the housetops in Palestine were flat and there were earthen ladders along the wall for ascent. There were short walls around the platform and the platform was built as the attic room which was suitable to have a rest and stay alone.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Went up on the housetop to pray” Many servants of God like to work among people and are unwilling to have communion with the Lord. Oh, how urgently it is for us to retreat from the multitude, come out of the prosperous career, hide ourselves in the lonely circumstances and look upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2) Cornelius saw the vision in the prayer (See v.2-3) and here Peter saw the vision in the prayer (See v.10-16). Prayer is to pave the way for God so that God could take His actions. If men do not pray to cooperate with Him, God always would rather do nothing.

3) If the one who serves God does not always pray, he is useless in the work of God because God cannot reveal His will to him. 

4) Martin Luther said that, I have so many things to do and therefore I have to spend three hours praying every day (it is translated from the Chinese version).

 

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

   YLT: “and he became very hungry, and wished to eat; and they making ready, there fell upon him a trance,”

   Meaning of Words: “a trance”: bewilderment, astonishment, ecstasy.

   Literal Meaning: he fell into a trance” “Fell into a trance” indicates that one’s heart is under an unusual condition as if he is dreaming, however, he has not fallen asleep. It is not “the vision” itself but that he is elevated to a state so that he could see the “vision”.

   Spiritual Meaning: Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat” “Becoming hungry” symbolizes that men seek things of God (Matt. 5:6). God has filled the hungry with good things (Luke. 1:53).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God always makes one feel that he is “hungry in the soul” before He works in a man.

2) The vision that Peter saw was in his prayer when he “fell into a trance”. And therefore the so-called vision may not be the visible “true things” (See Acts. 12:9) but a state in the spiritual realm. And therefore when we seek the vision of the Lord, we should not be limited to the visible sight, lest we be deceived by the evil spirit.

 

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

   YLT: “and he doth behold the heaven opened, and descending unto him a certain vessel, as a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and let down upon the earth,”

   Meaning of Words: “object”: vessel, container.

   Spiritual Meaning: “and saw heaven opened” It shows that the vision that Peter saw is the revelation from heaven.

  “And an object like a great sheet” “A great sheet” symbolizes the net of the gospel which is large enough to gather people throughout the world.

  “Bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth” It symbolizes that the net of the gospel is expanded to four sides where men reside.

 

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

   YLT: “in which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven,”

   Spiritual Meaning: animals, wild beasts, creeping things and birds symbolize people in all kindreds, and tongues, and nations (See v.28).

 

Acts. 10:13 “And a voice came to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’”

   YLT: “and there came a voice unto him: `Having risen, Peter, slay and eat.'”

   Spiritual Meaning: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat” “Kill” symbolizes gaining them; “eat” symbolizes receiving them and having communion with them.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The will of God is to gain everyone through the gospel (Rom. 1:16) because the Lord Jesus has “tasted death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9) instead of men of a certain race.

2) In the church, we should not discriminate against those who have different opinions with us. We should specially receive those who are weak in faith (Rom. 14:1).

 

Acts. 10:14 “But Peter said, Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.’”

   YLT: “And Peter said, `Not so, Lord; because at no time did I eat anything common or unclean;'”

   The Background: it is ordered in the regulations of the Law of Moses to make a difference between the unclean and the clean concerning wild beasts, creeping things, and birds. The Jews are not allowed to eat the unclean (Lev. 11:46-47). This regulation of the food and drink is set up to make the Jews be separated from the Gentiles and be separated to God.

   Literal Meaning: common or unclean” “Common” is in contrast to “holy”; “the unclean” is in contrast to “the clean”. It is forbidden in the Law of Moses for the Jews to eat common and unclean.

  “For I have never eaten anything common or unclean” It shows that Peter strictly kept the regulations of the Law all the time.

   Spiritual Meaning: “anything common or unclean” symbolizes the Gentiles who are far off and sinners.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) How stubborn men’s subjective ideas, prejudice, traditional ways and etc. The traditional ideas concerning faith are specially difficult to break. Men with such ideas do not hear the word of others and still do not hear even when God Himself has spoken to them.

2) Men always use “I have never…” as an excuse to reject the Lord’s brand new guidance. The traditional and conventional ways always block us from obeying the will of the Lord. May the Lord use the heavenly vision to shatter our deep traditional ideas and lead us live in the infinite renewing of the Holy Spirit.

 

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

   YLT: “and [there is] a voice again a second time unto him: `What God did cleanse, thou, declare not thou common;'”

   Spiritual Meaning: “‘What God has cleansed” It symbolizes the Gentiles whom God has cleansed by Jesus Christ’s blood of redemption (Rev. 1:5) and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5; Acts. 15:9).

  “You must not call common” God has cleansed the Gentiles who were unclean in the ceremony and therefore the Jews should no longer discriminate against them (See v.28).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men are always constrained by the earthly customs so that they give up making renovations for fear of a little trouble and refuse the heavenly revelation.

2) The difference between “holy” and “common” lies in whether something has been cleansed by God. This principle is applied to all persons and things.

 

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

   YLT: “and this was done thrice, and again was the vessel received up to the heaven.”

   Literal Meaning: This was done three times” God showed the vision to Peter three times in order to reveal His will in the dispensation of the New Testament to him and renew his idea.

   Spiritual Meaning: the wild beasts, creeping things, and birds in the great sheet symbolize that the unclean Gentiles and the clean Jews are put together, showing that God has cleansed the Gentiles who were unclean in the ceremony so that they partake in the grace of the New Testament. And therefore Peter should contact with them and preach the gospel to them and finally receive those who repent and believe in the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is easy for men to limit the work that God is going to do today by the way that He had used in the past. And therefore when God is going do something great, He always makes men be prepared in their minds in advance.

2) Once our minds are influenced by the religious traditions, it is hard to changes our minds. Even when God had showed the vision to Peter “three times”, he still held on his own view.

 

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

   YLT: “And as Peter was perplexed in himself what the vision that he saw might be, then, lo, the men who have been sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for the house of Simon, stood at the gate,”

   Literal Meaning: Now while Peter wondered within himself” It shows that Peter felt confused at that time and his heart undulated.

  “What this vision which he had seen meant” It shows that the scene that Peter had saw when he felt into a trance is a “vision”.

 

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

   YLT: “and having called, they were asking if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, doth lodge here?”

 

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

   YLT: “And Peter thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, `Lo, three men do seek thee;”

   Literal Meaning: the Spirit said to him” Please see the notes in Acts. 8:29.

 

Acts. 10:20 “Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.’”

   YLT: “but having risen, go down and go on with them, nothing doubting, because I have sent them;'”

   Literal Meaning: “doubting nothing” “doubting” in the original refers to the uncertainty of the state of mind and it could also be translated as “discern” (1Cor. 11:29, 31) and “partial” (James. 2:4). And therefore it has another meaning that the Lord did not want Peter “to make a difference among men”.

  “For I have sent them” They were sent by Cornelius (See v.7-8), however, here God said that they were sent by Him. It shows that men’s obeying the commandment in the vision is to obey the will of God. And therefore God regarded men’s actions as His actions.

 

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

   YLT: “and Peter having come down unto the men who have been sent from Cornelius unto him, said, `Lo, I am he whom ye seek, what [is] the cause for which ye are present?'”

   Literal Meaning: “Yes, I am he whom you seek.” According to the original, there is a word “behold” before this sentence.

 

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

   YLT: “And they said, `Cornelius, a centurion, a man righteous and fearing God, well testified to, also, by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely warned by a holy messenger to send for thee, to his house, and to hear sayings from thee.'”

   Meaning of Words: “reputation”: testimony.

 

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

   YLT: “Having called them in, therefore, he lodged them, and on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him,”

   Literal Meaning: and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him” There were six brothers who accompanied with Peter (Acts. 11:12).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The vision had been revealed to Peter “three times” (v.16) and Peter still “wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant” (v.17). Even when the environment was manifest and the Holy Spirit urged, he still “lodged them” and arose then. It shows that the tradition harms men so deeply and it is really hard for men to depart from it. 

2) Peter did not act by himself in this action and accompanied with several Jewish brothers and later they became the witnesses of this matter (Acts. 11:12, 18) so that the Jewish believers had nothing to say against. The Lord’s workers had better not work by themselves and they should act in the principle of the body of Christ.

 

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

   YLT: “and on the morrow they did enter into Cesarea; and Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kindred and near friends,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Cornelius not only feared God but also cared for others’ souls. And therefore he had invited “his relatives and close friends” to his house to hear Peter preaching. It is a good example of the gathering of family.

2) We believers should also open our house and invite relatives and friends to hear the gospel.

 

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

   YLT: “and as it came that Peter entered in, Cornelius having met him, having fallen at [his] feet, did bow before [him];”

   Literal Meaning: “fell down at his feet and worshiped him” Cornelius was a Roman officer (v.1). A solider who always showed off his strength was willing to worship a foreign commoner unexpectedly. It is fairly impossible unless he feared God.

 

Acts. 10:26 “But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I myself am also a man.’”

   YLT: “and Peter raised him, saying, `Stand up; I also myself am a man;'”

   Literal Meaning: Stand up; I myself am also a man” The words shows that: 1) men could only worship God and should not worship men (Rev. 22:8-9); 2) no matter how spiritual one is, he is a man of like passions to us (James. 5:17) and he cannot become God; 3) we honor God’s servants not to think beyond what is written (1Cor. 4:6), lest we provoke the jealousy of God (Exod. 34:14).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Whoever he is, we should honor him and should never worship him------no matter how great and honorable one is, he is “also a man”.

2) Satan sets its heart as the heart of God (Ezek. 28:2) and wants to exalt itself to be like God (Is. 14:14). And therefore it fell from the archangel to the devil. He whoever advocates the theory that “men becoming God” indeed follows the example of the way of “the son of perdition” who shows himself that he is God (2Thess. 2:3-4). And his end is quite dangerous!

3) Not only the dictatorial politicians who hold immeasurable power like to deify themselves but also some religious leaders cannot overcome the temptation and like others to worship and serve them like God.

4) To whoever regards himself as God, though he preaches the gospel to others, he himself falls.

 

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

   YLT: “and talking with him he went in, and doth find many having come together.”

 

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

   YLT: “And he said unto them, `Ye know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another race, but to me God did shew to call no man common or unclean;”

   Literal Meaning: “But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean” The word of Peter proves that the wild beasts, creeping things, and birds that Peter saw in a great sheet in the vision (See v.12-15) symbolize men.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Holy Spirit works just as “the wind blows where it wills” (John. 3:8). There is no regular example for us to follow and the Holy Spirit always breaks the rules. And therefore we should not make an excuse that “how unlawful it is” to decline many things, lest we cause delay in the work of the Holy Spirit.

2) Believers should never classify types of the world as those who are able to be saved and those who are unable to be saved. The fact proves that the worst sinners are bestowed the salvation.

 

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

   YLT: “therefore also without gainsaying I came, having been sent for; I ask, therefore, for what matter ye did send for me?'”

 

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

   YLT: “And Cornelius said, `Four days ago till this hour, I was fasting, and [at] the ninth hour praying in my house, and, lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”

   Literal Meaning: “four days ago…until this hour” When the Jews counted the days, they did not regard twenty-four hours as a day. Their calculation was as follows: 1) it was regarded as a day when the angel appeared to Cornelius; 2) it was regarded as a day when the messengers arrived at Joppa and Peter saw the vision; 3) it was regarded as a day when men started off from Joppa; 4) it was regarded as a day when they arrived at the house of Cornelius.

  “And behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing” It is the common wording that is used to describe that the angel in the image of a man appears to men (Matt. 28:2-3; Luke. 24:4).

 

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

   YLT: “and he said, Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thy kind acts were remembered before God;”

 

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

   YLT: “send, therefore, to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; this one doth lodge in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who having come, shall speak to thee;”

 

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

   YLT: “at once, therefore, I sent to thee; thou also didst do well, having come; now, therefore, are we all before God present to hear all things that have been commanded thee by God.'”

   Literal Meaning: the word of Cornelius in this verse shows the intention and attitude that those who hear the word should have: 1) attend the meeting with the intention of hearing “the things commanded by God”; 2) give their mind to hear attentively in order to hear “all” the things commanded by God; 3) listen to all the words of the Lord just as “we are all present before God”; 4) hear all the things commanded by God “now” rather than hear when we have a convenient season in future (See Acts. 24:25); 5) sincerely feel that it is a good thing to hear all the things commanded by God now before God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should judge “before God” and hear God’s words through men. We should never regard what men say as “the word of God” in order to fawn on others “before men”.

2) “To hear all the things commanded you by God” The Lord not only commands men to speak but also asks men to hear. Faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:14).

 

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

   YLT: “And Peter having opened his mouth, said, `Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons,”

   Literal Meaning: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality” “perceive” in the original means “seize” and “hold”; “shows no partiality” in the original is “do not regard persons” (Deut. 10:17), i.e. do not practice favoritism. The word of Peter shows that he had seized the principle how God treats men through the vision that he had seen.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should observe circumstances, persons and things carefully in order to “perceive” God’s will and works

2) And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear (1Pet. 1:17).

3) Since the God whom we believe in is God who shows no partiality, we should not show favoritism (James. 2:1).

 

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

   YLT: “but in every nation he who is fearing Him, and is working righteousness, is acceptable to Him;”

   Literal Meaning: “whoever fears Him and works righteousness” refers to fearing God and being just towards men.

  “Is accepted by Him” The word does not express that doing good is the condition of one’s being saved because by grace are we saved through faith and that not of ours works (Eph. 2:8). In this message Peter clearly shows that only when one has received the name of Jesus Christ could he receive remission of sins (See v.43). However, one who has the right attitude towards God will be glad to let God reign over his life and God is glad to show mercy to him and reveal His will to him so that he could be acceptable to God in the redemption of Christ.

   Controversial Clarification: according to this verse some people think that all the religions in the world all teach men to worship God and encourage them to work righteousness and therefore all religions are acceptable to God. This view is totally wrong because: 1) if “fearing God and working righteousness” is enough, God did not need to guide Cornelius to send men out to invite Peter in the vision; 2) Only men in Judaism and Christianity worship the true God and men in other religions worship man-made gods or the god that men imagine and they are all false gods; 3) only men in Christians have a way to God because of Jesus Christ (John. 14:6) and therefore they could truly approach God (Heb. 10:19-22). However men in Judaism are rejected by God temporarily because they rejected the Lord Jesus. And until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, so all Israel shall be saved (Rom. 11:25-26).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God likes men to fear Him and unceasingly glorify Him in all things they do on the earth.

2) To those who are acceptable to the Lord, we should have communion with them without any gap and love one another and there should not be divisions among us (1Cor. 11:18; Tit. 3:10-11).

 

Acts. 10:36 “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--

   YLT: “the word that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news -- peace through Jesus Christ (this one is Lord of all,)”

   Meaning of Words: “all”: every, the whole, all men.

   Literal Meaning: He is Lord of all” This sentence has two meanings: 1) He is the ruler of all and all is in His hand (Rom. 11:36). Men have all if they have Him; 2) He is the Lord of all, the Lord of both the Jews and the Gentiles (Rom. 10:12). He is the Lord of both believers and the world (1Tim. 4:10).

  “Preaching peace” “Peace” has multiple effects: 1) make all be reconciled to God (Col. 1:20-22); 2) make the Jews be reconciled to the Gentiles and make both one (Eph. 2:11-18); 3) make men have peace and rest in their hearts (Pill. 4:7; Matt. 11:29).

  “The word which God sent to the children of Israel” “The word” refers to the word of God (logos). Unto the children of Israel were committed the oracles of God (Rom. 3:2), however, the salvation is come unto the Gentiles because of the unbelief of the children of Israel (Rom. 11:11).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Only when men truly know that Jesus is “the Lord of all” can they break the artificial barriers and confess wholeheartedly that Christ is “ours” and “theirs” (1Cor. 1:2) and receive all whom the Lord has received.

2) God has called us to peace (1Cor. 7:15) and therefore believers should love one another and should not bite or devour one another (Gal 5:13, 15, 26).

 

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

   YLT: “ye -- ye have known; -- the word that came throughout all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism that John preached;”

   Meaning of Words: “word”: word in season, prompt word (rhema).

 

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

   YLT: “Jesus who [is] from Nazareth -- how God did anoint him with the Holy Spirit and power; who went through, doing good, and healing all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with him;”

   Literal Meaning: anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” “Anointing” means smearing; here God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power. The Holy Spirit and the power are one and the Holy Spirit is the power when He is manifested upon men. The Lord Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18; Luke. 1:35). He was full of the Holy Spirit within Himself, however, for the work and mission, He still needed to be anointed by the Holy Spirit------the Holy Spirit came upon Him (Matt. 3:16; Mark. 1:10; Luke. 3:22; John. 1:33). This is exactly that God anointed Him with the ointment (Luke. 4:18) so that He got the power to do the work of God on the earth.

  “Who went about” “Going about” means “going around”.

  “And healing all who were oppressed by the devil” The devil is very foxy. If it cannot oppress men in the spirit to make them rebel God, it will work in men’s body and oppress them so that they might fall ill and cannot enjoy the happiness of the resurrection life, lose firmness and watchfulness in the spirit because of the uncomfortableness of the body. By this way the devil achieves what it wishes. When the workers of the Lord are careless, they would fall ill because the devil wishes that Christians might fall ill so that they would stop working for the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The main power of the Lord Jesus’ whole work of preaching the gospel lies in the Holy Spirit. When preaching the gospel, if the Holy Spirit does not work, it will be of no effect.

2) The Holy Spirit is upon us just as one is anointed with oil. It is serene and comfortable and there is not any other special feeling. However, when others contact with us, they will feel the power out of us. And therefore the one who is full of the Holy Spirit is full of the power.

3) The anointing of the Holy Spirit is from the devotion (or separation). Whenever our devotion goes wrong, our power will go wrong and naturally our work will go wrong.

4) Sin and sickness, as our soul and spirit, are closely linked. Remission of sins and healing of sickness coexist and supplement each other.

 

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

   YLT: “and we -- we are witnesses of all things that he did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, -- whom they did slay, having hanged upon a tree.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Peter did not consider himself as a great apostle but a witness. We should also learn from him and be a witness of the Lord in lowliness of mind. We should never think to do something great for ourselves and achieve high positions.

2) We, as the witnesses of the Lord, have to determine not to know any thing among the world, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1Cor. 2:2).

 

Acts. 10:40 “Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,

   YLT: “`This one God did raise up the third day, and gave him to become manifest,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Jesus that we believe in and preach is not the dead Jesus but the living Jesus.

2) And if Christ is not risen, our faith is futile; we are still in our sins (1Cor. 15:17).

 

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

   YLT: “not to all the people, but to witnesses, to those having been chosen before by God -- to us who did eat with [him], and did drink with him, after his rising out of the dead;”

   Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord appears according to His principle and He “appeared to witnesses chosen before by God”------His appearance is to equip and fulfill His witnesses. Many believers do not have the desire to bear witness of the Lord and it’s no wonder that they have not got the appearance of the Lord.

 

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

   YLT: “and he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify fully that it is he who hath been ordained by God judge of living and dead --”

   Literal Meaning: be Judge of the living and the dead” God has committed all judgment unto Christ (John. 5:22) and He shall judge the living and the dead (2Tim. 4:1). When Christ comes for the second time, He will sit on the glorious throne and judge the living (Matt. 25:31-46). After the kingdom of a thousand years, He will sit on the great white throne and judge the dead (Rev. 20:11-15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should not think that we won’t be judged since we have believed in the Lord because judgment must begin at the house of God (1Pet. 4:17). And therefore after we have believed in the Lord, we have to live well before God.

2) The authority of judging the living and the dead is of the Lord and therefore we should not judge others randomly (Rom. 14:4; 1Cor. 4:3-5).

3) Jesus Christ who died and rose is God’s only standard of judgment towards all humans.

 

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

   YLT: “to this one do all the prophets testify, that through his name every one that is believing in him doth receive remission of sins.'”

   Literal Meaning: whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” This sentence is not directly quoted from some verses in the Old Testament but the summary of the prophecies of all the prophets in the Old Testament------there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts. 4:12).

    The word “whoever” has the special and profound meaning------not only the Jews but also the Gentiles will be saved for they believe in the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word: one’s being saved is fully attributed to the name of the Lord and there is not any other additional condition. One needn’t seek to be saved through keeping the Law.

 

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

   YLT: “While Peter is yet speaking these sayings, the Holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word,”

   Literal Meaning: While Peter was still speaking these words” Please note the word “while” and it means that Peter did not mean to stop speaking there and he wanted to continue to speak. Peter saw the vision that “God has cleansed the Gentiles” with his eyes (v.15, 28) and said that “God shows no partiality” with his mouth (v.35), however, something was wrong with his thoughts and actions, i.e. the middle wall of partition between the Jews and the Gentiles had not been broken through. When peter still wanted to continue speaking, the Holy Spirit came in and interrupted his words.

  “The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word” Others could not see that the Holy Spirit dwells within men, however, the thing that is mentioned here that the Holy Spirit fell upon men could be obviously seen by others (See v.45). And therefore it must indicate that the Holy Spirit poured upon men. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit refers to the aspect of life and quality and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit refers to the aspect of the power in work. The Holy Spirit dwells in men when they believe in the Lord. The out-pouring of the Holy Spirit always takes place after men have believed in the Lord. However, here both the out-pouring and indwelling of the Holy Spirit took place upon them when they believed in the Lord.

In the Acts of the Apostles when it was mentioned that the Holy Spirit poured upon men and fell upon men, others were always needed to lay hands on them (Acts. 8:17; 9:17; 19:6). It tool place here and on the day of the Pentecost without the laying hands of men. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit directly poured upon men from above because no one could represent the body of Christ to lay his hands on men to receive others and it was reasonable. However, Peter who represented the body of Christ could lay his hands on them and the Holy Spirit still fell upon those who heard the word. It was for the Jewish believers. Peter hesitated to lay his hands on the Gentiles (please note that laying hands on indicates union, identification and reception). Even if Peter had the boldness to lay his hands on the Gentiles, it would be hard to explain when the Jewish believers condemned Peter that he destroyed the Law of God (Acts. 11:2-3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Holy Spirit Himself would prove what He has initiated.

2) The sphere of Christianity includes all those who are born from above in the world. There should not be the thoughts of divisions in the church.

3) All men in the house of Cornelius received the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, it is a great fact that God saves men with the unit of the household instead of the individual.

 

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

   YLT: “and those of the circumcision believing were astonished -- as many as came with Peter -- because also upon the nations the gift of the Holy Spirit hath been poured out,”

   Literal Meaning: because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also” “The gift of the Holy Spirit” refers to “receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts. 2:38) instead of the various gifts that are given to men by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:6; 1Cor. 12:4; 1Pet. 15:3).

 

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

   YLT: “for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.”

   Meaning of Words: “tongues”: language, dialect.

   Literal Meaning: For they heard them speak with tongues” “Speaking with tongues” indicates that they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts. 2:4) and it does not refer to the pointless sound of tongues.

When the Holy Spirit is manifested on men, sometimes men speak with tongues. However, not every one who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks with tongues, e.g. in the case of the Samarian believers, it was not mentioned that they spoke with tongues (Acts. 8:15-17). The Holy Spirit sometimes makes men prophesy (Acts. 19:6) and sometimes makes men gain different gifts (1Cor. 12:7-11).

    “And magnify God” in the original means “enlarge God and make God great” (Luke. 1:46).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God is a “great” God and He does things “great” and therefore He is worthy of our great praise.

2) The vessels that the “great” God uses are “great” and are able to accept various kinds of people. We should ask God to enlarge our capacity so that we could be used by Him. 

 

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

   YLT: “Then answered Peter, `The water is any one able to forbid, that these may not be baptized, who the Holy Spirit did receive -- even as also we?'”

   Literal Meaning: God used Peter to open the door of the Gentiles (See Matt. 16:19) and it was a great event. And therefore God used the vision to guide him and used the Holy Spirit to prove it (v.44-45). Since it had come this far, Peter had to be obedient and agreed to baptize the Gentiles.

 

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

   YLT: “he commanded them also to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they besought him to remain certain days.”

   Literal Meaning: “and he commanded” Some Bible exegetes held that this sentence showed that Peter did not baptize the Gentiles by himself and he delivered this work to the brothers from Joppa accompanied him (v.23) to execute.

  “To be baptized in the name of the Lord” means that “baptize them unto the name of Jesus Christ”. One’s name represents him and therefore they have the union of life with Christ through baptism.

  Then they asked him to stay a few days” Certainly they did so in order to gain more teachings concerning Jesus Christ from Peter.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Baptism is a important thing. If men repent and believe in the Lord sincerely, they should be baptized (Mark. 16:16) and the earlier one is baptized, the better it is for him.

2) Baptism is not the end of church life but the beginning.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

God’s Work of Preparation upon Cornelius (the Object of the Gospel)

I. He was dispatched from Italy to Caesarea (v.1)------he was made to get in touch with the gospel.

II. He feared God (v.2a)------he believed that there is a true God in the world.

III. He always prayed to God (v.2b)------he had a heart that seeks God.

IV. He saw the vision (v.3-6)------he was specially guided by God.

V. He sent men to invite Peter (v.7-8)------he obeyed the guidance of God.

 

The Example of Cornelius

I. He was a devout man and feared God (v.2a)------he had a heart of fearing God.

II. He feared God with all his household (v.2b)------he had influence over his family members.

III. He gave alms generously to the people (v.2b)------he had a heart of mercy.

IV. He prayed to God always (v.2c)------he had a real spiritual life.

V. A devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually (v.7)------he had a good example to his subordinates.

VI. He had called together his relatives and close friends (v.24)------he cared about his relatives and friends around him.

VII. He met him and fell down at his feet (v.25)------he honored the servants of God (though he should not worship men).

VIII. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God (v.33)------his attitude of hearing the word was right.

 

The Prayer of Cornelius

I. He prayed to God always (v.2).

II. He prayed at the ninth hour (v.3a, 30)------pray on time.

III. He saw clearly in a vision (v.3b, 30)------the prayer that one sees the vision.

IV. Your prayers has come up for a memorial before God (v.4, 31)------the effectual prayer.

V. He sent men there immediately (v.7-8, 33)------the prayer of obedience.

 

The Prayer of Peter

I. Peter went up on the housetop to pray (v.9)------prayer in the secret and the exceeding prayer.

II. He felt into a trance (v.10)------prayer in the spirit.

III. He saw heaven opened (v.11)------prayer that touches the heaven.

IV. Prayer of seeing the vision (v.11-18).

V. The prayer of struggle that men do not understand the will of God (v.13-15).

VI. The seeking prayer (v.17-19a).

VII. The revealed prayer by the Holy Spirit (v.19b-20).

VIII. The obedient prayer (v.21-23).

 

God’s Work of Preparation upon Peter (the Preacher)

I. About the sixth hour (v.9b)------prepare the proper time.

II. He went up to the housetop to pray (v.9c)------prepare the proper place.

III. He became very hungry and wanted to eat (v.10)------prepare the proper state.

IV. Peter was asked to eat things common and unclean (v.11-16)------instruct the proper example.

V. While Peter wondered within himself, three men that were in line with the vision visited him (v.17-20)------arrange the proper circumstance.

VI. Peter went down with them (v.21-23)------show the proper obedience.

 

The Example of A Preacher

I. The one who has a life of prayer (v.9).

II. The one who has the vision (v.11-17).

III. The one who has the voice of God (v.13, 15).

IV. The one who has the proof of the Holy Spirit (v.19-20).

V. The one who has the proof of the circumstances (v.21-23).

VI. The one who has brothers who accompany and work with him (v.23).

VII. The one who is humble (v.26).

VIII. The one who shows no partiality (v.28, 34).

 

The Meaning of the Vision that Peter Saw

I. It is descending from heaven (v.11)------it is of God.

II. A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat” (v.13)------it gives men the brand new guidance.

III. What God has cleansed you must not call common (v.15)------men should also receive those whom God has received.

IV. It is taken up into heaven again (v.16)------it is valued by God.

 

The Example of Meeting

I. Those who attended the meeting all came together and waited (v.24, 27)------except fervently.

II. Cornelius fell down at the feet of Peter and worshiped him (v.25)------honor the Lord’s servants.

III. Peter said that he was also a man (v.26)------the Lord’s servants keep their own original states.

IV. Now we are all (v.33a)------full oneness.

V. Being present before God (v.33b)------hope earnestly.

VI. Hear all the things commanded you by God (v.33c)------listening ears.

VII. The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word (v.44)-----fully gain the spiritual blessings.

 

The Emphasis of the Message of Peter

I. God shows no partiality (v.34-35)------He surpasses race and region.

II. God preaches the gospel to the children of Israel first through Jesus Christ (v.36-37).

III. The Holy Spirit also proves the gospel (v.38).

IV. Testify that Christ died and rose and is Judge of the living and the dead (v.39-43).

 

Do not Show Partiality

I. God shows no partiality (v.34).

II. Jesus Christ is Lord of all (v.36)------the Lord does not show partiality.

III. The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word (v.44)------the Holy Spirit does not show partiality.

IV. Just as we have (v.47a)------the apostles do not show partiality.

V. Can anyone forbid (v.47b)------believers should not show partiality.

 

The Example of Bearing Witness of the Lord

I. Testifying that He is Lord of all (v.36)------He is all of believers.

II. Testifying that He is Lord of mercy (v.37-38)------He is the reliance of believers.

III. Testifying that He is the Lamb that was slain (v.39, 43)------He is the Savior of believers.

IV. Testifying that He is the Lord of resurrection (v.40-41)------He is the life of believers.

V. Testifying that He is Judge (v.42)------He is the hope of believers.

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren