Study #39: Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius (Acts 9:32

Study #39: Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius (Acts 9:32 - 43)

Acts, Chapter 1.5: God elected special Gentiles to hear the Gospel and be saved (9:32 - 12:24)

§Complement Introduction: God used Peter to heal a paralyzed man and raise a woman from the dead (9:32 - 43)

¶Opposite Peter healed a paralyzed man at Lydda (9:32 - 35)

¶Opposite Peter raised a woman from the dead at Joppa (9:36 - 43)

§Complement Body: God led Peter to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles for the first time (10:1 - 11:30)

¶Unique Peter received a vision from God to prepare him to meet with the Gentile Roman Cornelius and his family (10:1 - 23a)

¶Complement Peter met with Cornelius and his family to preach the Gospel to them (10:23b - 48)

¶Complement Peter met with the church at Jerusalem to explain the sequence of events that led him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (11:1 - 18)

¶Opposite The Jews preached the Gospel to the Gentiles in Antioch, and the converts became the first church of the Gentiles (11:19 - 24)

¶Opposite Agabus the Prophet prophesied of a great famine, which led the church to send relief to the Christians in Judea (11:25 - 30)

§Unique Conclusion: The angel of the Lord delivered Peter from death, and killed king Herod (12:1 - 24)

¶Complement The angel of the Lord delivered Peter from being slain by king Herod (12:1 - 17)

¶Complement The angel of the Lord smote king Herod and killed him for his pride (12:18 - 24)

Comment: In this study, we will look at the second and third paragraph of the Body Section.

As you can see from the outline above, the first paragraph is unique in this group: Peter received a vision from God.

And the next two paragraphs complement each other, like two sides of the same coin.

¶Unique Peter received a vision from God to prepare him to meet with the Gentile Roman Cornelius and his family (Acts 10:1 - 23a)

¶Complement Peter met with Cornelius and his family to preach the Gospel to them (Acts 10:23b - 48)

¶Complement Peter met with the church at Jerusalem to explain the sequence of events that led him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1 - 18)

And we will see in the next study that the fourth and fifth paragraphs oppose each other, so the overall Golden Ratio design for the Body Section of this Chapter is “UCC-OO”.

Paragraph two of the Bible text arranged by the Golden Ratio design:

¶Complement Peter met with Cornelius and his family to preach the Gospel to them (Acts 10:23b - 48)

Unique And the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the next day after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself also am a man.”

Complement And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that came together. And he said to them, “You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came to you without objection, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore for what intent you have sent for me?” 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, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your charitable deeds are remembered in the sight of God. Therefore send to Joppa, and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon, a tanner by the seaside; who, when he comes, shall speak to you.’ Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you have done well that you have come. Now therefore we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you by God.”

Complement Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, “Truly I perceive that the true God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The Word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), that Word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil: for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hung on a tree. Him did God raise up the third day, and showed him openly; not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his Name whosoever believes in him shall receive forgiveness of sins.”

Opposite While Peter still spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the Word; and they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles: for they heard them speaking foreign languages, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord.

Opposite Then they asked him to stay certain days.

Comment: Remember that the Golden Ratio design is one Unique, two Complements, and two Opposite: “UCC-OO”. I don’t believe that I need to explain how that works in this paragraph, as it is easily seen.

Paragraph three of the Bible text arranged by the Golden Ratio design:

¶Complement Peter met with the church at Jerusalem to explain the sequence of events that led him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (11:1 - 18)

Unique And the Apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”

Complement But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and related it in order to them, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down from Heaven by four corners; and it came even to me. Upon which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Arise, Peter; slay and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from Heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, do not call it common.’ And this was done three times; and all were drawn up again into Heaven.

Complement And, behold, immediately there were three men already come to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea to me. And the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house; and he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter, who shall tell you words, whereby you and all your house shall be saved.’

Opposite And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then I remembered the Word of the Lord, how that he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water; but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could withstand God?”

Opposite When they heard these things, they held their peace; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted repentance into Eternal Life to the Gentiles.”

Notice that when Cornelius attempted to worship and pray to Peter, Peter immediately stopped him! “Stand up! I myself also am a man.” But the pope (who claims to be the Vicar of Christ and the successor to saint Peter) requires men and women to worship him and kiss his ring and his big toe! The pope is a false god and a liar! Follow Christ, not the pope!

God does not want you to pray to anyone except Jesus Christ, our one true High Priest: He must be the only object of our faith and hope for salvation and eternal peace:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy; and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me: for I am meek and lowly in heart. And you shall find rest to your souls: for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Also remember from my previous study that Cornelius was already a just or a saved man under the Old Covenant:

And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you into his house, and to hear words of you.” Acts 10:22

But now that Jesus had died on the cross and risen again from the dead, the system under which Cornelius had been saved (the system of animal sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem through the priesthood of Aaron) was no longer valid, and this saved man needed to be completed in his faith by believing in Jesus Christ, who was the fulfillment of all of the animal sacrifices in the Law of Moses.

“Above when he said, “Sacrifice and offering and even whole burnt offerings for sin you did not desire; neither did you have pleasure in it” (which are offered by the Law), then he said, “See, I come to do your will, O God.” He takes away the First Covenant, that he may establish the Second: by which we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” Hebrews 10:8-10

And the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon Cornelius and his family (who were already saved under the Old Covenant), was manifested by speaking in foreign languages that they previously did not know. This event was a sign to Peter and the Jews who heard about this event that God wanted them to take the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles; it was not a sign to Cornelius the Gentile, but rather to the Jews.

Speaking in foreign languages (often called “tongues” or “languages”) without training was a testimony or a sign to the unbelieving Jews, not to the Gentiles:

“Brethren, do not be children in understanding (nevertheless in malice be children, but in understanding be men): in the Law it is written, “‘With men of other languages and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that they will not listen to me,’ says [Jehovah].’” Therefore the gift of languages is for a sign, not to them that believe [in Christ], but to them that do not believe; but prophesying does not serve for them that do not believe [in Christ], but for them who do believe.” 1 Corinthians 14:20 - 22

Prior to this event, the Jews thought that God only spoke to them, because Jehovah was their God by the Covenants of Abraham and Moses; and that was true until the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the Jews rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ; so God had another Plan, which was to send the Gospel to the Gentiles and build churches of believers in Christ all around the world in every nation and language.

Jesus said, “But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria; and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.” Acts 1:8

This change, from the Jews being the center of the worship of the one true God Jehovah in Jerusalem only, to Jesus being the center of the worship of the one true God Jehovah in any place on Earth, was so massive and unthinkable to the Jews, that God had to do something special to convince them that this move was truly from Him.

So God gave Peter a special vision of unclean creatures (symbolic of the Gentiles in the eyes of Jews), and gave Cornelius another vision of a Holy Angel, then guided Peter to meet with Cornelius and his Gentile family, and gave them the same gift of speaking in foreign languages without training that the Apostles themselves had received on the Day of Pentecost. Then Peter explained his actions to the Jewish church in Jerusalem in light of the clear and obvious guidance and manifestation of the Holy Spirit; and so they believed! But without that sequence of providential events and the sign of speaking in foreign languages, I believe that Peter would have received a different kind of reception from the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem: probably most of them would have not believed, and it would have been a source of controversy and friction in the churches from that day forward.

But as it turned out, God made his will known to the Jewish Christians in such a way that they accepted the will of God, and the cause of the Gospel was magnified! And it wasn’t long before a new church in Antioch was started, composed of Gentiles, and led initially by Christian Jews.

Finally, Cornelius and his family received both the anointing or empowering of the Holy Spirit UPON them, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit WITHIN them, because although they were already justified or saved by God under the Old Covenant, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit under the Old Covenant was not permanent.

Only after trusting in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin, THEN the Holy Spirit came to dwell permanently in each one of them. This is the Scriptural order:

“In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also after you believed in Christ, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the down-payment of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

Heard the Gospel -> Believed in Christ -> Sealed with the Holy Spirit! There is no other order of salvation today.

Notice that water baptism is not included in this order, because water baptism cannot save anyone: it is only water! Only the Blood of Jesus Christ can save a soul from sin.

If any person asks you whether you have obeyed Acts 2:38, remember this order of salvation from Ephesians 1:13-14, and ignore him or her.

The Book of Acts is a history book about what happened during a transition period from the Old Covenant to the New until the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed not many years after the end of the Book of Acts.

The Letters of the Apostles (primarily Paul) are the primary sources of Christian doctrine, not the transitional Books of the Gospels and Acts.

Are you saved? Have you repented of your sins, and placed your trust in the Jesus Christ of the Bible for your eternal Salvation?

Or, are you trusting in Mary and the saints? Or, are you trusting in Mohammed or Buddha or even your own good works? Maybe you believe that you are a Christian because you were baptized as a baby, or that your family is a Christian family. None of those things will succeed in getting you into Heaven after you die, according to the Scriptures.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: NO MAN comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1

“Then Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.” John 10:7-8

The Bible says that there is no other way to be saved, except through Jesus Christ and his Finished Work of salvation on the cross:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“But as many as received him, to them gave he authority to become the children of God: even to them that believe on his Name” John 1:12

“for [it is written], “whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

Would you like to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and know that you are saved and have Eternal Life? You can do it right now. Use this prayer as a model for your own words:

“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against YOU. I am no good, and you are righteous! I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, were buried, and rose again from the dead on the third day. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart right now. Forgive me for all my sins, and save my soul. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!”

If you have turned from your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and only Savior from sin, please message me through Facebook or email me at editor@phibible.org and let me know that you have done that, so that I can pray for you and rejoice with you in what God has done in your life. Amen.