Acts Chapter 10.

Acts Chapter 10.

References to the Bible-Dictionary.

            Caesarea,  p.174.                                  Cornelius,  p. 258.

            Joppa.       p.654.                                             Tanner,      p.92.

            Clean and Unclean. p. 328.

................................................

            The vision of Cornelius.                         10:1-8.

            The vision of Peter.                                10:9-16.

            The messengers arrive at Joppa.        10:17-23a.

            Peter proceeds to Caesarea.              10:23b-33.

            The address of Peter.                            10:34-43.

            Cornelius and others receive

             the Spirit, and are baptized.                10:44-48.

           

 The Importance of the Chapter.

            Luke shows its importance by twice relating each episode :

            *   The vision of Cornelius.                   10:3-7;       10:30-33.

            *   The vision of Peter.                           10:9-16;    11:5-10.

            *   The outpouring of the Spirit.             10:44-48;  11:15-17.

           

In the council of chapter 15 both James and Peter cite the case of Cornelius as decisive evidence for the conversion of the Gentiles; also the outpouring of the Spirit is recalled.   

15:8-9.  These two leaders are in favour of the mission to the Gentiles.  When Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius a most important new advance was made by the Church.

           

In the book of Acts the conversion of Cornelius occupies a crucial place in the expansion of the Church.   For in this chapter Peter, the leader of the Jewish church, baptized an uncircumcised Gentile and he did so under Divine guidance and his new advance received the seal of the Holy Spirit.  One thing stands out clearly in the story is that the initiative of this new movement came from God and the new decisive step was surrounded by clear indications of God's will.

           

Cornelius and his household were uncircumcised.  He was not a proselyte but a God-fearer, for he lacked circumcision the essential mark of Judaism.  The evangelism of Cornelius was an important expansion. That Peter had a part in this new development gave it validity and prepared the way that it became the deliberate policy of the Church.  The Ethiopian was probably a circumcised proselyte and, if he was no more than a God-fearer, his case was exceptional and lacked the sanction of the deliberate policy of the Church.

           

Peter's Vision.  10:9-16.   The vision of the sheet was for Peter's instruction and strengthened his convictions and courage.  For it taught that there was now no distinction between people.  The religious distinction between clean and unclean has been removed, for God has cleansed them all.

           

The vision implies that the ceremonial food laws of the Jews are now abolished.  But the vision has also a deeper meaning and is figurative of the removal of all religious and ceremonial distinctions among men.

           

Peter's Sermon.  10:34-43.

            The starting point of the apostolic preaching.  (Mk.1:1-8, the forerunner). v.37.

            The anointing and ministry of Messiah.  v.38.

            The Jews murdered their Messiah.  v.39.

            The resurrection of Jesus was God's vindication.  v.40.

            The competent testimony of the Chosen Witnesses.  v.41.

            The proclamation of judgment and the appointed judge.  v.42.

            The proclamation of the promised Messianic Salvation.  v.43.

           

Homiletics.

           

*   The great sheet.  It may be regarded as a symbol of the Church, or the Gospel.

            a.  Heavenly origin.        10:11.         "heaven opened." 

            b.  Universality.               10:11.         "a great sheet" - "knit at the four corners"

                                                                        "wherein were all manner."

            c.  Efficacy.                     10:12.         A Divine power to cleanse.

                                                                      "what God has cleansed."

            d.  Accessibility.            10:11; 11:5,   "came even to me."

            e.  Certainty.                  11:10.            "done three times."

            f.  Security.                     11:10.            "all were drawn up again into heaven."

                                                                  None fell out of the sheet.

           

 *   Cornelius the model seeker.

            a.  His sincerity.  He was already living up to what he knew.  10:2.

            b.  His wisdom.  He sent for the messenger of God.

            c.  His hospitality.  He welcomed the messenger, and created a favourable

                 opportunity for him to speak the Word of God.

            d.  His industry.   He used his influence to bring others to hear the Gospel.

            e.  His readiness.   He was eager and ready to hear and receive the

                 message of Salvation.

            f.  His obedience.   He received the message and became an example and

                leader, so encouraged others to follow him.

           

Christology.

           

"Lord of all."  10:36.   In Jewish and Rabbinic circles, this title was used for the God of Israel.  Peter uses it of Jesus and with emphasis on the breadth and width of its significance.  Note the repeated use of the adjective "all", verses 36, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, and the final inclusive, "everyone" of  verse 43 R.V.

           

That Jesus is Lord was the central theme of Peter's preaching is a testimony of the book of Acts.  Hence the importance given to the Resurrection, for it is in resurrection He is fully declared Lord.

           

The proclamation of Jesus as Lord is associated both with judgment and the forgiveness of sins.  In 10:43, it is said that the prophets bore testimony that through His Name, is forgiveness.  Now the prophets knew only the name in which forgiveness was found.  This was the name of Jehovah or 'Yahweh,' translated 'Kurios' in the Septuagint, and Lord in English.  The prophets linked forgiveness of sins with the Name of the Lord in "that day." (Jer.31:34).   Jesus then, is Lord, concerning whom the prophets spoke.  Jesus is the Name of the Lord.

           

Evangelism.

           

The apostolic preaching.  See Preaching, B-D. 1023,   The word 'kerygma' is used in the New Testament to express the contents of the apostolic proclamation.  Another word used in the New Testament is 'euangelion'.  See Gospel,  B-D. 484.

           

Modern theologians make use of the word, 'kerygma', but unfortunately in two different ways.  R.Bultmann, understands 'kerygma' of the dynamic activity of preaching. 

C.H.Dodd uses 'kerygma' for the basic contents of apostolic preaching.  The researches of Dodd have been fruitful for good.  Dodd crystallized the earliest preaching in this manner:

           

a.  The  (Messianic) age of  fulfillment has dawned.  2:16;  3:18,24.

b.  This has taken place through the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.

His Davidic descent.     2:30-31.                                   

His ministry.                   2:22;  3:22.

His death.                      2:23;  3:13-14.              

His resurrection.           2:24-31;  3:15.

c.  By virtue of his resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God, as Messianic head of the new Israel.  2:33-36;  3:13.

d.  The Holy Spirit in the Church is the sign of Christ's present power.  2:33;  5:32.

e.  The Messianic Age will shortly reach its consummation Christ's return.   3:21;  10:42.

f.  The 'kerygma' always closes with an appeal for repentance, the offer of  forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of salvation,  that is, of the life of the Age to Come, to those who enter the elect community.

           

The Holy Spirit.

In this chapter uncircumcised Gentiles are admitted to the Church.  This was a momentous step and opposition was anticipated.  In the Jewish Church were strong conservative influences and the leaders were reticent to receive Gentiles.  It was therefore necessary that some clear indication be given that it was God's will that believing Gentiles be accepted along with believing Jews.  Some manifest token was needed that the new move came from God.

           

Both Cornelius and Peter were prepared by supernatural direction for the great event.  Then, as Peter spoke the Word, the Divine approval became unmistakeable in that the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles.  It was under Divine direction that Peter preached the Gospel to these Gentiles and, as they heard and received the message, they began to speak in ecstatic speech.  Then Peter perceiving that God had also given the Holy Spirit to them became assured that such should be received into the Church and immediately commanded them to be baptized.

           

The usual order was repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.  But in this case, the usual order was not followed.  It is clear that God is not tied to a prescribed order or form.  He is Sovereign in the distribution of His gifts, but He is not indifferent to order.  When Divine order is not followed, we may presume that the time and circumstances were unusual.  The conversion of Cornelius and his household had exceptional features and its unusual character was shown by the reversal of the usual order. Normally, men believe and acknowledge their faith by baptism.

           

The gift of the Holy Spirit was associated with baptism, but in this case the Holy Spirit fell upon those who believed.  Not only is it important to discern the historic character of the event, but also its distinctive role in the expansion of the apostolic mission.

           

The speaking of tongues was exceptional rather than the normal, for the reception of Spirit was not normally accompanied with speaking in tongues.  And it never has been so in the history of evangelism.

           

Cornelius and his household made an immediate response to the Gospel.  They did not wait until Peter made the appeal for repentance and baptism.  They broke forth in ecstatic speech, the sign that the Holy Spirit had fallen upon them.  That they had received the Holy Spirit was proof and seal that God had opened the door of the Church to the Gentiles.  This was accomplished in the very manner in which the door had been opened to believing Jews on the Day of Pentecost.  See especially 11:17.  Thus the baptism of Cornelius and his household, made them recognised members of the People of God, along with believing Jews.