The Conversion of Cornelius Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [23] Acts 10:23-11:18 August 12, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” (10:23b-26)

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (10:34-35)

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. Therefore, God’s salvation in Jesus is also for the Gentiles.

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. Therefore, God’s salvation in Jesus is also for the Gentiles. Jesus is the good news of peace. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace (10:36a)

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. Therefore, God’s salvation in Jesus is also for the Gentiles. Jesus is the good news of peace. Therefore, God’s peace in Jesus is with God, people, and ourselves.

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. Therefore, God’s salvation in Jesus is also for the Gentiles. Jesus is the good news of peace. Therefore, God’s peace in Jesus is with God, people, and ourselves. Jesus is the Lord of all. …Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)… 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him… They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (10:36b-41)

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. Therefore, God’s salvation in Jesus is also for the Gentiles. Jesus is the good news of peace. Therefore, God’s peace in Jesus is with God, people, and ourselves. Jesus is the Lord of all. Therefore, God’s Messiah is Jesus the LORD. Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (10:42-43)

PETER’S PRESENTATION OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Jesus shows no partiality. Therefore, God’s salvation in Jesus is also for the Gentiles. Jesus is the good news of peace. Therefore, God’s peace in Jesus is with God, people, and ourselves. Jesus is the Lord of all. Therefore, God’s Messiah is Jesus the LORD. Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead. Therefore, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness of sins in his name.

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. (10:44-48)

HOW DOES PETER TESTIFY GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN FOR THE GENTILES? 1) God’s vision (11:4-10): It was God who gave a vision both to Peter and Cornelius about salvation of the Gentiles. 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision… 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. (11:4-10)  This was Peter’s testimony and defense for his actions. In so doing, he was fully aware of their concerns as devout Jews.  The first evidence was God’s initiative in giving vision (3x).  In our salvation, it was also God’s initiative in envisioning salvation for the Gentiles like us.

HOW DOES PETER TESTIFY GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN FOR THE GENTILES? 2) God’s command (11:11-12): It was the Spirit who commanded Peter to go with the men sent by Cornelius. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. (11:11-12)  The second evidence for God’s initiative in the Gentile mission was the specific commands of the Spirit for Peter.  In validating Peter’s testimony, the witness of the six Joppa Jewish brothers was critical and Spirit-led (v.12).  In discerning the leading of the Spirit, it is also critical for us to seek the discernment and affirmation of the community.

HOW DOES PETER TESTIFY GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN FOR THE GENTILES? 3) God’s preparation (11:13-14): It was God who prepared Cornelius with specific instructions for salvation. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ (11:13-14)  On the other side, God’s initiative was also evident in preparing Cornelius and his household.  The preparation was not elusive or ambiguous but clear and specific to Cornelius [for the Gentiles].  When God leads us in our days, one way of verification is to see the Spirit’s leading is affirmed by the other side as well.

HOW DOES PETER TESTIFY GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN FOR THE GENTILES? 4) God’s action (11:15-17): It was God who took the action to save Cornelius and his household by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” (11:15-17)  Peter, like on the Day of Pentecost, couldn’t finish his sermon because of the Spirit’s active work of salvation.  This was the Gentiles’ version of “Pentecost”—resembling the Jews’ experiences of the Holy Spirit’s falling on them.  Peter’s concluding testimony was that he (or anyone) could not have stood in God’s way for saving the Gentiles.

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (11:18) To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (10:43)

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (11:18) To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (10:43)

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.What does it mean for me to acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship over my entire life? 2.What vision and prompting of God do I need to see as a God- sent person? 3.What preparation and work of God do I need to recognize as God’s invitation of my participation in advancing the gospel?