Acts Chapter 10 Verses 24-29

Acts 10:24 “And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?” 

We make the following observations concerning the above:

1.  Cornelius had called together his kinsmen and near friends to hear the words of the Lord.  What a lessons that is for us today.  When was the last time a believer in the Primitive Baptist Church in America has called together his kinsmen and near friends to come to their home and hear the words of the Lord proclaimed by a Primitive Baptist preacher?  Really, this should be a common place happening. 

2.  Cornelius upon seeing Peter fell down at his feet to worship the preacher.  Peter corrected him and told him that I also am a man.  Only God is to be worshipped. 

3.  Peter explained to the gathered congregation that God had showed him that it was wrong to call any man common or unclean.

4.  Peter made the journey not knowing for what intent that he had been sent.  At times as gospel preachers we start on journeys not knowing the intent that God has for us in the journey.  Abram journeyed to Canaan not knowing what would be befall him there.  Likewise, Philip went to the desert not knowing that he was to preach to one man only (the Ethiopian eunuch). 

Verses 30-33

Acts 10:30 “And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”

          To the above we make the following observations:

1.  Cornelius in responding to Peters question as to what reason he had sent for Peter recited to him the experience of the visitation of a man in bright clothing. 

2.  From this it is obvious that Cornelius did not know who Peter was before the man in bright clothing told him to send for Peter.  We also notice that where Peter was lodging was known to the angel and this information given to Cornelius.  Obviously the arrangement was of the Lord.

3.  Cornelius finally revealed to Peter that those gathered were all present before God to hear ‘all things’ that are commanded thee of God.

Verses 34-43

Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” 

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”  Here Peter acknowledges what no Jew before him had acknowledged or understood: that God has a people in every nation that fears him and works righteousness and is accepted with God. 

“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”  Now it would have been common knowledge even among the Gentiles that Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.  The great multitude of miracles would have been spoken about in that day and would have become common knowledge among the people whether they believed it or not. 

“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”  Here Peter speaks to those gathered concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  This is of course a central message of the gospel.  Without the dead, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is there is no salvation from sin.  Peter also related that God had chosen witnesses of these events to declare what they had seen to the people.

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”  Peter declared to the gathered congregation that it was Jesus Christ who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  Quick indicated life and dead indicated absence of life.  Now Jesus Christ is judge of both those who are alive spiritually and are dead spiritually.  Moreover, he is judge of those who are alive naturally and those whose bodies lie in the grave.  All are judged by Jesus Christ.  Judgment was made of the elect at the cross of Calvary as Christ died for the sins of his elect people.  Judgment will be meted out at the end of time to the non-elect as they will be judged for their sins and cast into the lake of fire forever. 

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”  Thus through the name of Jesus Christ whosoever believeth in him receives knowledge that their sins have been remitted at the cross of Calvary. 

Verses 44-48

Acts 10:44 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” 

What we have in this passage of scripture closely resembles what happened on the day of Pentecost when the church at Jerusalem was baptized of the Holy Ghost.  Those same supernatural signs were manifested here as were manifested on the day of Pentecost.  There was the Holy Ghost falling on them as He fell upon those present at the day of Pentecost.  Moreover, there was speaking with tongues and magnifying God as was done on the day of Pentecost.  Finally, those who believed were baptized in water as were those who believed on the day of Pentecost.