Conversions In The Book of Acts - Va

Conversions In The Book Of Acts
Cornelius And His Household (10:1-48;11:1-18) Part One

Up to this point, the gospel had been somewhat limited in its outreach. It had spread throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria - Ac 9:31. But other than the Samaritans (who were half Jewish), it had only gone to the Jews. With the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household" the first Gentiles are saved. A conversion noted not only because they were the first Gentiles but also because of the miraculous events that precipitated the conversion. First an angel appearing to Cornelius to give him instructions and announcing that God had heard his prayers. Then Peter’s vision, followed by the Spirit’s instruction. The Spirit falling upon Cornelius, his family, and close friends. Cornelius and his household speaking in tongues. As in the case of Saul of Tarsus, we have more than just one account of the conversion. There is Luke’s description - Ac 10:1-48. Then there is Peter’s description, as he is called to defend his actions - Ac 11:1-18. Important questions are raised as we consider the events of this conversion. Exactly when did the Spirit fall upon Cornelius and his company? What was the purpose of the Spirit falling upon them? Were they saved when the Spirit came upon them, or later when they were baptized?

These are some of the questions I intend to answer as we examine the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household". Since we have two accounts, let’s consider them together as we start with a harmony of the conversion of Cornelius and his household. The first event is for the angel to appear to Cornelius. Cornelius, a centurion, is described as very religious - Ac 10:1-2 "In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, who was the captain of a group of soldiers called "The Italian Unit." Cornelius was a very religious man. He worshiped God, and so did everyone else who lived in his house. He had given a lot of money to the poor and was always praying to God." The angel appears to him - Ac 10:3-6 "One afternoon at about three o'clock, Cornelius had a vision. He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name. Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel. Then he asked, "What is this all about?" The angel answered, "God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor. Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter. He is visiting with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea."’ With an announcement that his prayers and alms have been noticed by God and with instructions to send for Peter; please note:
The angel said, "He will tell you what you must do." - Ac 10:6 (Note that some versions omit this statement by the angel). As Peter recounts it, "...who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved." - Ac 11:14. After the angel departed Cornelius then sends two servants and a devout soldier to Peter - Ac 10:7-8 "After saying this, the angel left. Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshiped God. He explained everything to them and sent them off to Joppa."

The next event was for Peter to have a vision. While the three men are traveling toward Peter, he has a vision - Ac 10:9-16; 11:4-10. It involves a sheet descending from heaven, containing all sorts of creatures. A voice tells Peter to "kill and eat". Peter objects, for he has never eaten anything common or unclean. The voice tells him, "What God has cleansed you must not call common.". Three times the vision is repeated. After this vision and message the Spirit tells Peter to go with the men from Cornelius. The men from Cornelius arrive as Peter contemplates the vision - Ac 10:17-18; 11:11. The Spirit tells Peter to go, "doubting nothing, for I have sent them" - Ac 10:19-20; 11:12. Peter receives the men and takes six with him as they go to Cornelius - Ac 10:21-23;11:12.

When Peter arrives at Cornelius’s house he finds that Cornelius has gathered his family and close friends - Ac 10:24 "The next day they arrived in Caesarea where Cornelius was waiting for them. He had also invited his relatives and close friends." Peter deflects attempts by Cornelius to worship him - Ac 10:25-26 "When Peter arrived, Cornelius greeted him. Then he knelt at Peter's feet and started worshiping him. But Peter took hold of him and said, "Stand up! I am nothing more than a human."’ Peter explains his presence a violation of Jewish custom, but now understands "I should not call any man common or unclean" - Ac 10:27-28 "As Peter entered the house, he was still talking with Cornelius. Many people were there, and Peter said to them, "You know that we Jews are not allowed to have anything to do with other people. But God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit." Having been Asked by Peter to explain why he was called, Cornelius recounts the appearance and instructions of the angel - Ac 10:29-32 "I agreed to come here, but I want to know why you sent for me." Cornelius answered: Four days ago at about three o'clock in the afternoon I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in bright clothes stood in front of me. He said, "Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and he knows about your gifts to the poor. Now send to Joppa for Simon Peter. He is visiting in the home of Simon the leather maker, who lives near the sea."’; 11:13-14 "who told us that an angel had appeared to him. The angel had ordered him to send to Joppa for someone named Simon Peter. Then Peter would tell him how he and everyone in his house could be saved." Cornelius and his household were ready "to hear all things command you by God" - Ac 10:33 "I sent for you right away, and you have been good enough to come. All of us are here in the presence of the Lord God, so that we can hear what he has to say."

As Peter begins to speak, the spirit falls upon the listeners in Cornelius’s house. At this point, we need to carefully note the actual sequence of events. Luke’s record gives attention to the sermon first, and then the Spirit coming upon the Gentiles - Ac 10:34-44. But Luke also says that "while Peter was still speaking...the Holy Spirit fell". From this we do not exactly know when the Spirit fell. It could have been at the beginning, in the middle, or toward the end, of his sermon. Peter, however, explained what happened "in order from the beginning" - Ac 11:4 "Then Peter told them exactly what had happened:" He describes the events as they happened. He says "as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them" - Ac 11:15. So we learn from Peter that the Spirit actually came upon the Gentiles at the beginning of the sermon! Now I think it is very, very important at this point to note that although Peter is amazed he does not stop his sermon and pronounce them as being saved. Let’s continue noting that with the Spirit falling upon the Gentiles, they begin speaking with tongues, which amazed Peter and his Jewish companions - Ac 10:45-46 "Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God."; see also Ac 2:4,6,8,11.

In Peter’s sermon to the household of Cornelius he begins with a full perception that God shows no partiality - Ac 10:34-35 "Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from." A perception that started with the vision of the sheet and unclean beasts. A perception that continued with the Spirit’s instruction to go with the messengers. A perception made clear with the Spirit falling upon the Gentiles - Ac 11:15-17 "After I started speaking, the Holy Spirit was given to them, just as the Spirit had been given to us at the beginning. I remembered that the Lord had said, "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So how could I have gone against God?" Peter then proceeds to proclaim Jesus Christ - Ac 10:36-43. As Lord who was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power - Ac 10:36-38 "This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them. You surely know what happened everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized. God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil." Who was killed, but then raised from the dead and seen by eyewitnesses who knew Him well - Ac 10:39-41 "We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and ein the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was put to death on a cross. But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him." Who has commanded the apostles to proclaim Him as ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and dead - Ac 10:42 "God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead." Through whom remission of sins is offered to those who believe - Ac 10:43 "Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name."

At the end of his sermon Peter commands that Cornelius and his household be baptized. How could anyone forbid water to those who had received the Spirit just as the apostles did? - Ac 10:47 "These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them."; 11:17-18 "God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So how could I have gone against God? When they heard Peter say this, they stopped arguing and started praising God. They said, "God has now let Gentiles turn to him, and he has given life to them!" So Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord - Ac 10:48 "Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days."

The events surrounding this conversion are certainly remarkable. They evidently were intended to convey important truths. In a continuing lesson we will endeavor to glean what those truths are.

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx