ACTS 10. DIVINE PREPARATION Possessing good character, a moral lifestyle, a good reputation, and even being spiritually sensitive is not the same as saving faith in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The allegiance and loyalty of a believer in the Lord Jesus is owed to him above all other claims. To be a loyal citizen of a country or in military service, and especially to family ties is important. Perhaps even loyalty to the assembly fellowship one is in rises above these, but in all of these connections, we might have, God and His kingdom come first.
A God-fearing, good-living person who is generous in giving to others is a very good person and neighbor, but that person still needs to be saved. Praying is important for earnest seekers, and through prayer, God may give answers we never expected or even wanted. Divine guidance often comes as an answer to specific prayers. In this chapter, an unsaved Gentile centurion who prayed and a Jewish apostle, Peter, who knew the Lord personally and prayed; both were heard by God when they prayed. Both received unusual answers in unusual ways, and were confirmed that their prayers were heard.
God Himself, made it plain that Gentiles should be included in the church of God. His angel told Cornelius to send for Peter specifically. With a vision repeated three times and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter got his directions to go to Caesarea to the house of Cornelius. While Peter was preaching “peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all,” and declared to Cornelius and those with him of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; the Holy Spirit and the word of God brought them all to put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and they were saved.
ACTS 10. Cornelius, the one who prayed His Character, v.2. “Devout, feared God, gave alms, and prayed always.” The biography of Cornelius is brief but clear. He was a man of good character and good deeds. He was God-fearing and admired and respected. The ethical teachings of Judaism drew him to practice the teaching of the Jews, but he was not a Jewish proselyte, nor was he saved. It is possible for a person to be a strong influence for good in his household and yet be far from the kingdom of God.
People of good character are admired and trusted, and those characteristics should be true of every child of God. But our reputation should not be based on our own goodness and righteous living, but should be a reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ. To live in a community and be exalted by others for our own good citizenship, directs attention to one’s self. To have our character and righteousness linked to our faith in Christ and His saving grace is what is important. Then we can present the Gospel and show people what it means to be a child of God.
His Vision, v.3-6. “He saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’” Whoever they are, and wherever they are, “he who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” God’s grace is always open to those who earnestly and honestly seek the Lord with all their heart. A humble person who has no understanding of the way of salvation and may have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel when they “call on the name of the Lord” will be saved. God reveals His saving truth in a way suitable to the situation in which a person is found. One wrote a simple poem with a good message: “Never soul in hell shall burn, who has not had a chance to turn. Whether he be a pagan wild or born a Christian’s favored child, God will not suffer them to go unwarned to everlasting woe. For nothing but rejected light, will doom a soul to endless night.”
Earnest prayer to our Gracious God will bring an answer in some way to the seeking soul. It may be a personal message of personal assurance that a Substitute for sin is provided for them. It may be a word of guidance like Cornelius got to direct him to find a person who can tell him the way to salvation. Paul’s conversion was very different from that of Cornelius, but they were both saved by God’s grace. God’s answer to our prayer may be a “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait awhile,” but there will be no doubt that “Ask, and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you,” is a true word from God.
His Obedience, v.7-8. “He called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier… declared all these things… sent them to Joppa.” When an unmistakable answer comes, do not wait for a more convenient time to act on divine guidance. Don’t put off what needs to be done right now. Cornelius immediately sent for Peter who was thirty miles away in Joppa. The right time to take action on divine guidance through answered prayer is immediately. To truly know God’s will, is to do it without waiting for a convenient season.
Some people don’t think God hears the prayers of sinners, but the people who said that were the Pharisees. Any person who will turn to the Lord will find mercy is right there to bless them. Lost sinners who “call on the name of the Lord” will be saved. The human problem that keeps people from calling on Him is pride. To think we are independent from God and to disbelieve that He exists, is a choice that keeps them away from His blessing. “Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists, and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
ACTS 10. Peter, the one who preached His call to Caesarea, v.5. “Send to Joppa and call for Peter.” It has pleased God to put the message of the Gospel into the hearts of redeemed sinners. Frail mortal men have no power or ability in themselves, but when God uses a clay vessel for His work, that is all that is needed. When one has been saved by grace, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and saved from hell, that person knows personally the message they have to preach. They have experienced the guilt of sin and have repented of their sin to God. They have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation and know the relief and blessings of forgiveness. An angel can tell the message and give some comfort and light, but “angels never felt the joy, that my salvation brings.”
God chose the man He wanted to open the door to the Gentiles and to be His spokesman, working for Him in preaching the Gospel for the first time to the Gentiles. Peter was no casual observer of the things of God. He was an eyewitness of the glory of Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. He had seen and participated in the healing work God does. He saw the Lord Jesus in His death and resurrection. He had eaten food and drank with Him after His resurrection over a period of forty days that the Lord Jesus Christ had remained on earth before ascending into heaven. He had met with Christ in a personal way. He had heard the commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, but up until this time, he had not preached to Gentiles.
His love of prayer, v.9-10. “He went up upon the housetop to pray.” Peter had been in face-to-face communication with the Lord Jesus for the years of the Lord’s ministry here. He knew the value and joy of personal communion with God. When a person knows that God hears and answers prayer, and has been instructed by the Son of God as to the purpose and importance of prayer, it becomes an integral part of life to speak to God often. Those who speak to Him, also want to hear what He has to say, so the reading of the word of God is a fundamental part of the life of a true believer.
The state of mind that prayer produces makes us conscious of Persons we cannot see, actually being with us, hearing us, and giving us guidance. As a result of prayer, we can move ahead in confidence that the way open before us is right, even though it may be difficult, unusual, and entirely new to us.
His strange preparation, v.11-23. “Saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet.” It is a remarkable act of God to use what we would never have thought of, to bring a message that impresses itself on one’s mind. The very unusualness of the vision makes us aware that God uses appropriate measures to make His messages not only important but unforgettable. The hunger of Peter would help him to think about the spiritual hunger in the souls of all men, rather than their religious persuasion and practices.
The unclean animals that were avoided in Judaism and its practices, brought vividly to Peter’s attention the fact of the wide variety of people in the world he had ignored up until that time. Perhaps it was at that noontime that he was finally awakened to what the Lord meant when Jesus spoke of going into all the world and preaching the Gospel. It was likely because of his mind was impressed with the scope of the commission the Lord Jesus Christ gave as He was leaving earth for heaven. “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
The effect of that vision was real and was done three times to testify that this was not mere imagination but a message upon which he was to take action. Even more happened that Noonday because as he was still thinking about what it all meant, a call from the gate calling for Peter, specifically by name assured him the Holy Spirit was guiding him in his next action of service for His Lord. It is important for us to take personally those things that the Lord impresses on our hearts and minds and then do whatever is necessary to accomplish the work He gives us.