Introductory remarks:
"In Caesarea, a devout centurion, Cornelius, is told by an angel to seek Simon Peter in Joppa. Peter sees a vision of a sheet filled with animals and is told to kill and eat. He says he has never eaten anything unclean. He is told that God has cleansed them. As he ponders the meaning, Cornelius' messengers arrive. He is told to go with them because they were sent by the Spirit. Peter tells the crowd at Cornelius' house that it is unlawful for Jews to mix with other nations, but God told him not to call any man unclean. Peter tells them all about Jesus, and the Holy Spirit descends upon them, and they are baptized" (Brenda's Survey of Acts).
This chapter may outlined as follows: Peter and Cornelius vv. 1-33; Peter speaks in Cornelius' house vv. 34-43; gentiles receive the Holy Spirit vv. 44-48.
Peter and Cornelius
Verse 1, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band."
LGT "But a certain man [was] in Caesarea, by name, Cornelius, a centurion of a band which is called, Italians,"
Cornelius was a captain of a hundred men; he was a Roman captain over Roman soldiers, and he was sent to Caesarea to keep peace. In the New Testament centurions are represented favorably.
Verse 2, "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always."
LGT "Pious and fearing God with all his house, doing much alms to the people, and begging God continually."
Cornelius was a Gentile who was seeking God, worshipping at the temple, giving alms and praying, that is begging God continually. Cornelius, with his family, were proselytes at the gate, that is, they worshipped in the sense that they were seeking the Jew's God, but were not literally spiritual Jews. Giving and praying was highly regarded by the Jews of a devout man. Unless a Jew accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, he may be devoted, but he is still lost for eternity.
Verse 3, "He saw a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius."
LGT "He saw in a vision plainly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God come to him, and speak, Cornelius."
The ninth hour, three o'clock p.m. was the usual time for the evening prayers of the Jews. Cornelius had a vision, which he plainly saw an angel of the God come and speak his name.
Verse 4, "And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God."
LGT "But he having looked intently on him, and becoming afraid said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your alms are gone as a memorial before God."
Cornelius' prayers and almsgiving were proof that he was sincere, and that he was truly seeking after God; God will never ignore a person who is seeking Him. Cornelius had obviously heard the OT taught in the temple, and he received the Light, which was given. Cornelius believed God, and it would be a matter of time now when Peter will come and open the way of salvation to the Gentiles. It must be remembered that Cornelius was not praying and giving alms to be accepted by God, but because he believed in God.
Verse 5, "And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:"
LGT "And now send men to Joppa, and fetch Simon who is surnamed Peter:"
The angel instructs Cornelius to send some of his men to Joppa and fetch Simon, the one surnamed Peter; there were obviously many men with the name Simon.
Verse 6, "He logeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."
LGT "He lodges with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by [the] sea."
We learned in the last verse of the last chapter that Peter lodged with Simon, a tanner; now we learn in this verse that Simon's house was by the seaside. "Joppa was a seaport on the Mediterranean. Tanneries are erected on the margin of streams, or any body of water, to convey away the filth produced in the operation of dressing skins" (Barnes). The last phrase is not in the Greek New Testament.
Vincent notes:
"Out side the walls, both for proximity to the business, and because of the ceremonial requirements (regarded as unclean by all Jews). Mr. William C. Prime, describing a visit to Joppa, says: 'I was walking along the sea-beach, looking for shells, and at about a fourth of a mile from the city, to the southward, I found two tanneries directly on the seaside. I observed that the rocks in front of them were covered with the water a few inches deep, and that they soaked their hides on these rocks, and also submitted them to some process in the water which I did not stop to understand' (Tent-Life in the Holy Land)."
Verses 7, 8, "And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually, and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa."
LGT "And when the angel, the one who spoke to Cornelius departed, having called two of the servants, and a pious soldier of those continually waiting on him, and having rehearsed all things to them, he sent them to Joppa."
Cornelius sends a devout soldier with the two household servants for protection. He had rehearsed them on exactly what they were to do and say; they would have no trouble finding Simon the tanner's house in Joppa. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit had to prepare Peter's heart.
Verse 9, "On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour."
LGT "And on the morrow, as these are journeying, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour."
Peter went up upon the housetop to pray; here we have the beginning of Peter's preparation to accept the Gentiles. The three, the two servants and the soldier, that were sent by Cornelius draw near to the city, as Peter goes up to the housetop to pray; the housetop was a flat roof with a parapet all around, making for an appropriate place for privacy.
Verse 10, "And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance."
LGT "And he became very hungry, and wished to eat. But as they were making ready, a trance fell upon him,"
Peter became very hungry while he was praying, and while the servants were preparing food, he fell into a trance.
Verse 11, 'And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:"
LGT "And he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel being let down, as a great sheet, by four corners let down upon the earth,"
The picture is a great sheet held by four corners, being let down upon the earth. The sheet is knit together at the four corners, as being let down from heaven.
Verse 12, "Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air."
LGT "In which were all the quadrupeds and creeping animals of the earth, and birds of the heaven."
Both clean and unclean animals are in the sheet. Wild beast is omitted in the best texts.
Verse 13, "And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
LGT "And came a voice to him, Having arisen up, Peter, kill and eat."
The voice came from heaven the same as the sheet; the voice commanded Peter to kill and eat.
Verse 14, 'But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean."
LGT "But Peter said, In no way, Lord, because I never did eat any thing common or unclean."
This sounds so much like Peter. Remember when the Lord wanted to wash his feet; Peter said, In no way, Lord, You will never wash my feet; then the Lord said, If I do not wash your feet, you will not have fellowship with Me; then Peter said, then wash my head and my body all over. This incident is happening after Pentecost in this age of grace; and Peter is still clinging to the restrictions of the Law of Moses; Peter is still being legalistic. Things common means things referring to all mankind, not just the Jews, and things unclean, refer to the Law of Moses. You see; Peter is being self-righteous before the Lord. In this age of grace we are at liberty to eat meat, or to not eat meat; we should never force others to do what we do for religious or any other reason.
Verse 15, "And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
LGT "And a voice [came] again the second time to him, What God cleansed, make thou not common."
There was a higher principle involved in this entire episode, other than just clean and unclean meats; Peter will learn that the barrier between Jew and Gentile has been torn down by the cross of Jesus Christ; the middle wall of partition has been removed forever (Eph. 2:14).
Verse 16, "This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven."
LGT "And this took place thrice, and again was taken up the vessel into heaven."
"For three times Peter had remained unconvinced even by the prohibition of God. Here is a striking illustration of obstinacy on the part of one who acknowledges the voice of God to him when the command of the Lord crosses one's preferences and prejudices. There are abundant examples today of precisely this thing. In a real sense Peter was manifesting a pose of piety beyond the will of the Lord. Peter was defiling what God had cleansed" (Robertson). This vision was repeated three times to also fix in Peter's mind the conversion of the Gentiles.
Verses 17, 18, "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there."
LGT "And as Peter was confused in himself, what might be the [meaning] of the vision which he saw, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having inquired for the house of Simon, stood at the porch, and having called out, they asked if Simon who [is] surnamed Peter, lodges here."
Even though Peter, being taught by the vision and the Word of God, he was unconvinced what the meaning of the vision might be; he held obstinately to his legalistic ideas of what was common and unclean. While in his confused state the two servants and their soldier escort found their way to Simon the tanner's house; they stood at the outer porch and inquired if Peter was there.
Verses 19, 20, "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them."
LGT "But as Peter was thinking over the vision, the Spirit said [to him], Behold, three men are seeking thee, but having arisen, go down and go with them, doubting nothing, because I have sent them."
While still in his confused state of mind, it takes the Holy Spirit to command Peter to go with the three men; go with them, doubting nothing, because I have sent them. It takes the assurance of the Holy Spirit to get Peter to respond.
Verse 21, "Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?"
LGT "And Peter having gone down to the men said, Behold, I am whom ye seek: what [is] the cause for which ye are come?"
This question of Peter to the men shows that he is still in a state of confusion, but he is willing to obey.
Verse 22, "And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee."
LGT "And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and fearing God, and borne witness to by the whole nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel, to send for thee to his house, and to hear words from you."
The men inform Peter that their master, Cornelius, being a devout man, and being considered by the Jews that knew him, one who feared God, and that he was righteous in the Jewish religion, was instructed by an angel from heaven that Peter come to his house to instruct him in the ways of God. These men did not flatter Cornelius, but simply assured Peter that, his being a Gentile, he was also esteemed among the Jews as one who worshipped the God of Abraham.
Verse 23, "Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him."
LGT "Having called them in, therefore, he lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain of the brethren, the ones from Joppa, went with him."
Peter put them up for the night, and left the next morning for Cornelius' house; Peter obeyed immediately, for as Poole says "he doubles his obedience that obeys speedily and cheerfully."
Barnes notes:
"Four days were occupied before Peter met Cornelius at Caesarea. On the first the angel appeared to Cornelius. On the second the messengers arrived at Joppa, vs. 9. On the third, Peter returned with them, vs. 23; and on the fourth they arrived at Caesarea, vs. 24, 30. Some Christians, they were six in number, ch. 11:12. It was usual for the early Christians to accompany the apostles in their journeys. See Rom. 15:24; Acts 15:3; 3 Jn. 6; 1 Cor. 16:11. As this was an important event in the history of the church - the bearing of the gospel to a Gentile - it was more natural and proper that Peter should be attended with others."
Verse 24, "And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends."
LGT "And on the morrow he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his kinsmen and intimate friends."
Cornelius did what any good friend would do; he called his relatives and good friends together to come and hear the Good News from Peter. These were all men and women who like him, were worshippers of the true God of the Jews.
Verse 25, "And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him."
LGT "And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius having met him, having fallen at [his] feet, did homage."
First Cornelius does a good deed by inviting his friends and relatives in to hear Peter; then he does this stupid thing of bowing down before Peter in reverence. We see the same thing happening in this twenty-first century by the Roman church; they are still worshipping Peter, whom they erroneously teach was the first Pope. This homage was more than mere respect for Peter; otherwise Peter would not have said what he did in the following verse. Mankind in no way deserves the honor due God. Unlike the Pope of the Church of Rome in 2008; Peter would have never let you bow down and kiss his ring, even if he wore one; he would have never allowed a person to kiss his big toe. I witnessed the Pope, sitting on his chair in Yankee Stadium, allowing people to bow down before him, and kneeling they kissed his ring; this was the most abominable form of idolatry and man-worship I have ever witnessed in my life; this was one of the most deplorable scenes of self indulgent, self righteousness I have had the displeasure of witnessing. I believe the Pope will burn in Hell with no one to kiss his ring; he will be cast into outer darkness, to be alone, forever separated from God.
Verse 26, "But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man."
LGT "But Peter raised him saying, Rise up: I also myself am a man."
Peter gave a good answer to Cornelius. Peter tells Cornelius that no man, of whom he is one, deserves any honor, especially in the things of the Word of God. We have witnessed men in all generations receive degrees of honor; I believe that even letters after the name, such as DD, and THD, PHD, and the word Reverend before the name are all superfluous nonsense to receive recognition of men. God gave us all the Word of God by His free Grace, and we should be excited about sharing what we have learned with others, especially our own loved ones, in order that they also may share in the joy of our personal study; I welcome any of the studies of my brothers and sisters, and even my children and grandchildren.
Verse 27, "And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together."
LGT "And talking with him he went in, and found many gathered together."
Peter went in to the house with Cornelius to find an expectant group of Gentiles, gathered together, eagerly waiting to hear the Good News from Peter. Both of these men knew that God was directing this meeting.
Verse 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."
LGT "And he said to them, Ye know how unlawful it is for a man, a Jew, to unite himself or come near to one of another race: And God showed to me to call no man common or unclean."
Peter begins his speech on a negative note, Ye know how unlawful it is for a man, a Jew, to unite himself or come near to one of another race. "But there is no O.T. regulation forbidding such social contact with Gentiles, though the rabbis had added it and had made it binding by custom. There is nothing more binding on the average person than social custom. On coming from the market an orthodox Jew was expected to immerse to avoid defilement" (Robertson). Jesus broke down this middle wall of partition between Jew and Greek (Eph. 2:14). The next phrase, God showed to me to call no man common or unclean, shows that Peter finally understands the vision he received on Simon's housetop. "No man is now unclean by any ceremonial uncleanness, because he is not circumcised, or because he is not sprinkled with the blood of bulls, Heb. 9:13; yet sin hath defiled the whole mass of mankind, and they are equally by nature morally unclean" (Matthew Poole).
Verse 29, "Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent me?"
LGT "Wherefore also without gainsaying I came, having been sent for. I inquire therefore for what reason did ye send for me?"
Peter had gone to them without questioning; he had been instructed by a vision from God, and then instructed by the Holy Spirit to go with the three men to Cornelius; he has broken all the Jewish customs of entering into social contact and the house of a Gentile; he now asks the people what is their reason for gathering together to hear from him. Peter had been instructed by the Holy Spirit the reason he was to go to the house of Cornelius, however, here he wants to hear from Cornelius directly, and I suppose to break the ice.
Verse 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,"
LGT "And Cornelius said, Four days ago until this hour, the ninth, I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,"
The phrase I was fasting is omitted in the better manuscripts. This phrase was probably added to describe the effectualness of his prayer, that is, he was absorbed in his prayer with no thought of his stomach. The ninth hour (3 P.M.) was the normal hour of the evening prayer. A man stood before me in bright apparel; the angel had the appearance of a man, and the shining apparel was obvious that he was from heaven.
Verse 31, "And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God."
LGT "And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your alms were remembered before the God."
The angel assures Cornelius that the God he was worshipping knew all about his deeds, and He also hears his prayers.
Verse 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."
LGT "Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon who is called Peter, he lodges in the house of Simon, a tanner by the sea."
The substance of this verse is in verses five and six above. Cornelius might be giving these details to Peter, excusing himself for sending for Peter, and that Peter might feel welcome to speak whatever God might have for him.
Verse 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."
LGT "At once therefore I sent to thee, and you did well having come. Now therefore we all are present before God, to hear all things that have been ordered thee by God."
Cornelius does not know why he sent for Peter, but he does know that God has given Peter a message that they need to hear. And you did well having come is a common expression of welcome. Cornelius also knows that Peter went against the Jewish custom of entering the house of a Gentile, and he and his relatives and friends are happy he came. The phrase that have been ordered thee by God is that Cornelius is ready to obey God; Cornelius, being a military man, uses a military expression, ordered thee by God to show that they are ready and willing to hear the apostle Peter. Every teacher knows that to have eager and willing students makes his or her experience much more pleasant; it is very hard to speak to students who are asleep or completely uninterested in the subject; and what a thrill it is to be able to share the Word of God with willing and excited students or disciples.
Peter Speaks in Cornelius' House
Verses 34, 35, "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."
LGT "And Peter opening [his] mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but in every nation that fears Him and works righteousness, is acceptable by Him."
After all that Peter has gone through, he is now convinced of the truth that the Gentiles are not to be shunned, but the gospel is to be preached to them also. It isn't until Peter crosses the threshold of Cornelius' house that this truth hits him: of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons. The Jews had the idea they were special because they were the children kept under the Law of Moses, and that they were children of Abraham; Christ tried to correct this error when He walked this earth, but Peter did not grasp it then. When he preached at Pentecost that the gospel would reach those afar off, he now realizes that they would not have to become Jews first, that is, to be circumcised to become Christians; but in every nation that fears Him and works righteousness, is acceptable to Him. "We may observe here, (1) that it is not said that Cornelius was accepted on account of his good works. Those works were simply an evidence of true piety [devotedness] in the heart; a proof that he feared and loved God [the fear and love of God are synonymous], and not a meritorious ground of acceptance. (2) He improved the light which he had. (3) He embraced the Savior when offered to him. This circumstance makes an essential difference between Cornelius and those who depend on their morality in Christian lands. They do not embrace the Lord Jesus, and they are, therefore, totally unlike The Roman centurion. His example should not be pled, therefore, by those who neglect the Savior, for it furnishes no evidences that they will be accepted when they are totally unlike him" (Barnes).
Verse 36, "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all):"
LGT "The Word [which] He sent to the sons of Israel, announcing the Glad Tidings of peace through Jesus Christ, He is Lord of all,"
The Word is of course nothing but the Gospel of Grace, which Paul will make very clear in his epistles: For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8,9). The only way to have peace between individuals as well as nations is through Jesus Christ the Lord; there is no other Way. Christ came unto His own, He was sent with the Word to the sons of Israel, but was rejected, and now He is offered to the Gentiles who will accept Him. "Paul uses this same language in Eph. 2:17 where Paul states that Jesus on the cross 'preached (gospelized) peace to you who are afar off [Gentiles] and peace to you who are near [Israelites].' Peter here sees what Paul will see later with great clearness" (Robertson). He is Lord of all sounds the triumphant note both to the Jew and the Gentile alike.
Verse 37, "That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached."
LGT "Ye know; the declaration which came through the whole of Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism, which John proclaimed."
The gospel began to be preached by John the Baptist, and then was continued by the twelve disciples, who were instructed by Jesus Himself. The Gospel consisted of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew Poole comments;
"They had heard of the doctrine of the gospel by common fame and report, which could not but spread abroad; all might know that Christ and His apostles did preach, though these might be ignorant of the particular doctrines which they taught, and which Peter was now sent to instruct them in: or by the Word the matter of the gospel may be meant, as the life, death, and resurrection of our blessed Savior, which they could not but have heard several reports of. After the baptism which John preached; who, as the Elijah who was promised, Mal. 4:5, was the forerunner of the Lord."
Verse 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."
LGT "Jesus, the one from Nazareth, how God anointed Him with [the] Holy Spirit and with power, who went through doing good and healing all the ones that were being oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him."
Peter says that God anointed Christ with the Holy Spirit and with His power. Peter continues his speech describing beautifully how Jesus went about doing good and helping all who needed help, healing the sick and the oppressed. "God was with our Savior, 1. By His might and power doing such miracles. 2. In His extraordinary love to Him, Matt. 3:17, and always hearing of Him, John 11:42. And also, 3. God was with Christ in the fullness of the godhead, Col. 2:9." (Matthew Poole).
The miracles that Christ performed were complete evidence that God had sent Him, and that He was the Savior of the world.
Verse 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:"
LGT "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem: whom they put to death, having hanged [Him] on a tree."
Peter makes this appeal that He was a personal witness of Jesus Christ's works, and that many who stood there also witnessed the death of Jesus on the cross. Whom they put to death, having hanged Him on a tree, "is the crowning atrocity to all the persecution they did to our Savior" (Vincent).
Verse 40, "Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly."
LGT "This One God raised up [on] the third day, and gave Him to become manifest."
Peter tells them of the resurrection, and that as John wrote in 1 John 1:1 Christ was seen, felt, and He was manifested forty days after His resurrection to the apostles and many others, so that there could not be any possibility of any deception; Christ was raised by His Father and that He was a Victor over sin and death.
McGee notes:
"Notice carefully what Simon Peter does. He presents the facts concerning Jesus Christ, assuming there are some of the incidents, which they already know. He makes it very clear to them that this Jesus was crucified on a tree and that He rose again on the third day. God raised Him and showed Him openly. This is the gospel. Nothing short of that will do.
This past Christmas I received many cards on which were printed the rather well-known message, 'One Solitary Life.' It is very fine; there is no question about that. It is very readable, but there is a strange omission - a solitary omission in it. The most important fact is not recorded. It records that Jesus died, even mentions that He was buried, but completely leaves out His resurrection. Friend, there is not a single sermon preached as recorded in the Book of Acts, that does not mention the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the very heart of the gospel. Until that is preached, the gospel has not been preached. Jesus Christ died, He was buried, and He rose again from the dead. Those are the historical facts. Your relationship to a risen Savior determines your eternal destiny. He died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was raised again for our justification (Rom. 4:25)."
Verse 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."
LGT "Not to all the people, but to witnesses, the ones who had been chosen by God, to us, the ones who did eat and drink with Him after He had risen from among [the] dead:"
In this verse Peter tells them that the apostles and certain chosen ones were witnesses of Him, and that they ate and drank with Him, assuring them that He was resurrected as He promised. "The skeptical Jews would not have believed and Jesus was kept from open contact with the world of sin after His Passion" (Robertson). Just as we believe because we read the account of His resurrection in the Word of God, because we believe the Word is God's, He manifested Himself only to the ones who already believed. The Word of God is written to believers for believers and it can only be understood by believers. The New Testament was written in order to give the believer assurance of his or her salvation, not a text Book to the skeptic to prove Christ's existence or that He certainly is the Son of God.
Verse 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."
LGT "And He charged us to proclaim to the people, and to testify fully that He it is who has been appointed by God judge of [the] living and dead."
Peter says that these same apostles were charged with proclaiming the gospel to the entire world before His ascension, Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47. The gospel is hid from those who reject Christ; He will judge the world at the great White Throne, allowing the unbeliever the opportunity to claim their good works before Him; and he will judge the believer at the Bema Seat, showing them the good works He has produced through the individual church. The unbelievers before the Great White Throne will go into a Christ-less eternity, forever shut away from heaven and from Thee; and the believer will enter eternity forever sharing the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.
Verse 43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
LGT "To Him all the prophets bear witness, that every one [that] believes on Him, receives forgiveness of sins."
This was wonderful news to Cornelius and his family and friends, that they did not have to become Jews, but they only had to believe to have their sins forgiven and live forever with the Lord.
Matthew Poole notes:
"This our Savior told His apostles, which Peter here preaches to His auditors. It was included in the very promise recorded by Moses, Gen. 3:15. The Seed of the woman shall break the serpent's head; and so continued through all ages of the church, to be manifest in such degrees as it pleased the wisdom of God to make it known: it is certain that all the ceremonial law concerning sacrifices did testify this very thing; for by it, it did appear, that without shedding of blood there was no remission of sin, as Heb. 9:22; and it is manifest by the light of nature, that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, as Heb. 10:4. But through Christ's name, for His sake, and by virtue of His merit, who died for our sins, and rose again for our justification, Rom. 4:25, we shall receive remission of sins, Heb. 9:13,14."
Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
Verse 44, "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."
LGT "As Peter is yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all the ones hearing the Word."
The Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles at Cornelius' house while Peter was teaching them; the Holy Spirit came outwardly in this physical way in order to show them that they were saved; today we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Christ according to the Scriptures; thus we have the written Word of God to assure us; remember, John wrote the Gospel and the Epistles in order that we may know that we have eternal life; now that the Bible is complete, we no longer need signs from the Holy Spirit because the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, and is able to convict and convince anyone who has an ear to Hear. The Holy Spirit came upon all the ones hearing the Word. The word Hearing is a participle meaning they heard with understanding and believed the Word. Notice also that the Holy Spirit came upon them before they were baptized.
Verse 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."
LGT "And the believing ones of the circumcision, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because the Spirit was poured out also on the Gentiles:"
The Jews that traveled to Cornelius' house with Peter were astonished that the Gentiles could also receive the Holy Spirit and be saved; they believed a person had to be a child of Abraham to be saved. The Jews thought that Christ was promised only to them.
Verses 46, 47, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
LGT "For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then answered Peter, Can anyone forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, as we also [were]?"
Let me point out again that they were saved first, and the Holy Spirit was poured out on them, and they spoke with tongues, before they would be baptized. This has to be obvious to any thinking Bible student that this is a separate dispensation than the one we are now in; we are in the latter church, the age of Grace, that is completely dependant on the Word of God, and not on the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. This entire episode was designed to convince Peter and his fellow Jews that God has come to the Gentiles as well as themselves; the Gentiles were experiencing a form of Pentecost right there in Cornelius' house. These signs from the Holy Spirit were designed to convince the Jews that these Gentiles were born again, and should be entitled to water baptism as well. Peter's question required an answer, Of course not.
Verse 48, "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."
LGT "And he ordered them, in the name of the Lord, to be baptized. Then they begged him to remain some days."
As is very common, as soon as a person truly believes, they become hungry for the Word of God as these Gentiles; so they beg Peter to remain and instruct them for a few days. I believe their baptism was a sign the same as the speaking in tongues, to convince them they were saved; they had not yet received the completed Word of God; as soon as the written Word was made available to all, the signs were no longer necessary, and were eventually phased out, thank you very much! We will begin the next chapter with Peter defending his ministry to the Gentiles.
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