Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Acts Bible Study Notes- Chapter 10


Acts 10

 

-Revival in the midst of Gentiles as the Holy Spirit comes upon them is the theme of this remarkable chapter in God’s Word. The narrative begins with a description of Cornelius who is devout, a God fearer, a giver, and a continual prayer warrior in Caesarea Maritima, a coastal-port city built by primarily Herod the Great. An angel miraculously appears to this centurion and he sends men for Simon Peter down south a ways in Joppa. He was staying in this coastal town in the house of Simon the Tanner (A house that is still standing and actually being lived in to this day in what is now known as Jaffa, just south of Tel Aviv).

-God gives Peter a vision on the rooftop of this house declaring that what God calls clean is no longer to be considered unholy. He uses foods in the vision, but the meaning is found in verse 28, “God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.” This is a departure from the strict separation Jews lawfully adhered to in the ancient times, and many still do to this day. God was showing His faithful people, like Peter, that the message of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was for all the nations, not just His chosen people (Acts 10:34-35).

-Peter, with some of his brothers in Christ, accompanies the delegation from Cornelius back to Caesarea and meets Cornelius, who wants to worship him; however, Peter reminds him that he too is just a man and not God. A Spirit-filled presentation of Christ is delivered as the Holy Spirit comes upon Gentiles for the first time here in this place. They are baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ as all the circumcised believers are amazed at what God is doing.

-*Application* We must not put limits on what God wants to do in certain and specific situations. He is a God who reaches out to people that fear Him and want Him in their lives. Never cease to be amazed at what the Spirit of the Lord is up to in our generation. He still moves!

 

Verses to Memorize: Acts 10:2, 34-35

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