Apostle Peter had a vision that he didn’t understand until he met an unsaved Italians Captain and his family and friends.
“And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.”
Acts 10:24
Friends, if you found a good thing, a really good thing share it. Cornelius was expecting great things; therefore, he invited family and friends.
“And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.”
Acts 10:25
Now, this is an anti-Christ standard by which we could assess people and organizations. People or organizations that expect and permit others to bow and worship them are diabolic. Period. For that reason, Apostle Peter stopped Cornelius as he commenced to worship him.
Why Did Apostle Peter Say This To Cornelius?
“But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.”
Acts 10:26
Let’s emulate Apostle Peter. Do not worship another man or an angel. Worship only God, (Revelation 22:9).
“And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.”
Acts 10:27
Ordinarily, a Jewish person wouldn’t have entered a Gentile person’s house. That’s why the Scripture above notes that Apostle Peter “went in”. He went into Cornelius’ home.
However, either scripture by itself doesn’t convey such meaning. We only have a perfect understanding of the Scriptures, and these two in particular, when we examine them together.
Apostle Peter continues to narrate the recent situation to Cornelius and his household. He says:
“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?”
Acts 10:29
Four Days ago I was Fasting Until This Hour
Peter didn’t delay, for he came to Cornelius as soon as he could.
So, here we learn that the Lord God sent Peter to speak to Cornelius, yet he didn’t know this until he told him.
“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.”
If you’re not praying during your fasting, then that’s a weight management tool. That sounds more like dieting. Christians must pray during fasting or it’s not a Christian fast.
Cornelius – God Heard Your Prayer
And the irony of the whole situation: even a non-Christian and non-Jewish leader like Cornelius knew this. That’s why he did it, but today contemporary “Christians” are refusing to follow him.
Therefore, Cornelius continues to relate what the angel told him. He reported that Gabriel
“said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.”
Acts 10:31
Consequently, we realize that if you are fasting and praying your lifestyle must impact others positively. That’s why we see him giving generously to the members of his community.
Gabriel continues to instruct Cornelius:
“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.”
Acts 10:32
What Did Simon Peter Speak To Cornelius About?
Now, Apostle Peter wasn’t aware of the subject of Cornelius’ prayer. Similarly, he was unaware of the reason he sent for him. But the Holy Ghost is our teacher.
“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.”
Acts 10:33
Note Cornelius’ attitude to Peter. He accepts him as an envoy of heaven. A servant of the Most High.
Consequently, he will accept, believe, and obey his directives. And not only he but his entire household and friends with him.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.”
Why? Because of what he did for the Jews on the Day of Pentecost he’s now doing for the Gentiles, namely this Italian Officer and his family and friends. He’s granting them salvation for eternal life.
“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Acts 10:35
Now, this is important! The Lord God accepts any nation, race, language, or person who fears Him and lives righteously.
But there is a catch here because if you don’t revere Him nothing happens. There is no righteous living.
The Word Sent The Word But Apostle Peter Delivered It!
Folks, take note, God sent His word. By whom has He sent His Word to you?
“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.”
Acts 10:37
“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.”
Simon Peter – We Are Witnesses Of The Things That Jesus Did!
Then, Apostle Peter tells them that Jesus was not only approved of God but they are witnesses of all his mighty works, death, and resurrection.
“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.”
Acts 10:39
Have you ever wondered why the Lord had twelve apostles and not another number?
“Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly.”
Acts 10:40
According to the Law of Moses, Jesus only needs at least two people to witness his resurrection. But he had twelve and hundreds of disciples with who he ate and interact with after his resurrection.
Only To Witnesses Chosen By God
“Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”
Acts 10:41
The Twelve had the most interaction with Jesus. But after his resurrection, he was seen of at least five hundred people at once. And that openly.
The following is one of the reasons there is no dichotomy between the doctrine of Jesus Christ and that of his Apostles.
“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.”
Up until the baptism of John the Baptist, remission of sins via the law was by sacrifice and the shedding of blood.
However, all the prophets of old testify of another way even removal of sins by believing in the name of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43
This is where many Ministers of the Word erred. Belief in Jesus Christ doesn’t save you. It removes your sins because he died for us. This is the start of salvation it is not salvation.
Both Gentiles and Jews Received the Gift of the Holy Ghost
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.”
Acts 10:44
If our belief alone in the name of Jesus Christ, saves then the advent of the Holy Ghost on Cornelius and all persons subsequently, wouldn’t be necessary. But He came on all of them that heard Peter and believed his report.
“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.”
Acts 10:45
Now, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He never changes. The same experiences they had then, we must experience today in order to be saved, or receive salvation.
How Did Apostle Peter And The Other Jews Recognize That Cornelius Received The Holy Ghost?
How did Apostle Peter and his other Jewish colleagues know that these Gentiles (Cornelius and his friends and household) had received the Holy Ghost?
“For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter.”
Acts 10:46
Similarly, today, how will other Believers and us know when the Holy Ghost falls on another person or on ourselves? We too must “speak with tongues” and praise God.
However, the process is not completed until water gives birth to us or we are “born of water”. We must be baptized. And baptism must be in the name that we believe in. Everything is done in the name: belief, water baptism, spirit baptism and our speech.
Apostle Peter – Can Any Man Forbid Water That These Should Not Be Baptized?
Consequently, Apostle Peter concludes that whole procedure, for he rhetorically asks:
“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 10:47
So they baptized all of them in water in the name: of Jesus Christ.
“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Acts 10:48
This incident right here is the equalizer. The above procedure that Cornelius and his friends, and household experienced made them spiritually equal to Jesus’ disciples. They too received salvation.
First, they receive remission of sins, by believing in Jesus Christ. Then, they were “born of the Spirit”. What next? “Born of water” completes the biblical procedure for salvation.
Do You Believe In The Name of Jesus Christ?
Now, Apostle Peter and the others were as Cornelius in the sight of the Lord. Sons of God! Living Souls. Saved!
These are the unchanging components for all who require salvation and eternal life with Christ Jesus. All of Jesus’ Apostles teach and practice this, we just read that Apostle Peter started this with Cornelius and everyone who receives salvation after the baptism of John the Baptism must experience this.
Today, find a local church that teaches and practices these fundamental, Christian, Apostolic and life-changing principles, and get baptized in both water and Spirit.
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
