Read Acts
10
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what
was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and
God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an
angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him
in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and
gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send
men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is
staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who
spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout
soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had
happened and sent them to Joppa.
17
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by
Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They
called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter
was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men
are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with
them, for I have sent them.”
22 The men replied, “We have come from
Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is
respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to
his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited
the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with
them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he
arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his
relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him
and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he
said, “I am only human myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside
and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware
that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with Gentiles or visit them.
But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when
I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent
for me?” 30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at
this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood
before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered
your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a
guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for
you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the
presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that
God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts those from every nation who fear
him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of
Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of
all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning
in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and
healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in
Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him
from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by
all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and
drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the
people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the
living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who
believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was
still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the
gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard
them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one
can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the
Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
If you have a bit longer :-)
- Read the whole of Acts 10 again and, in your imagination, try and put yourself in Cornelius’ shoes.
- How do you feel when you first have this vision?
- Who do you think this guy Simon Peter might be? Why do you think God wants you to fetch him? What do you think he might do and say?
- What are you thinking, feeling and doing whilst the people you have sent are away? Do you doubt at all that this guy will come back with them?
- What are you thinking and feeling as you look out of the window and see him approaching? Your family and friends are all there. Do you wonder what they’ll think? Are you nervous about what Peter will say? He looks like an Israelite and they don’t associate with Gentiles, do they? Will he even come in?
- Imagine Peter is there and talking with you. How do you feel when he declares that God has made you clean?! How do you feel as you recount your dream?
- How do you feel as he tells you about Jesus? You’ve heard of this guy but didn’t get it before. What is it like as the Holy Spirit now comes upon you and opens your mind up to understand and believe!
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