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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