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Discipleship Pathway: “Baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes our
whole life to complete.” (Martin Luther)
Our ongoing journey with Jesus: Connect, Grow, Serve, Share.
The Background to Peter & Cornelius
The Big Question: Who’s included in God’s Kingdom?
Background: God chose one nation, but had a heart for all people.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” —Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” —Isaiah 49:6 (NIV)
The beginning of Acts signals that this
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Acts 1:8 (NIV)
The problem was that Israel misunderstood their status as God’s chosen people as license to discriminate against everyone else.
“The Jews are extremely loyal toward one another, and always ready to show compassion, but toward every other people they feel only hate and enmity.” —Tacitus, Roman Historian writing in 100-110AD
The Main Idea from Peter and Cornelius: The Gospel of Jesus Christ crosses every boundary and barrier in our world.
The Story Begins
Peter was a modern-day Jonah. A servant of God in the city of Joppa is called to preach to the Gentiles.
The Angel Visits Cornelius:
“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” —Acts 10:1-2 (NIV)
10:3-6—An angel visits Cornelius.
10:7-8—Cornelius sends men for Peter.
The Angel Visits Peter:
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” —Acts 10:9-13 (NIV)
Peter’s Reluctance:
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. —Acts 10:14-16 (NIV)
10:17-21—Spirit tells Peter to go with the men.
10:22—Peter invites them in to be his guests.
10:23-24—Peter Arrives at Cornelius’ House.
Peter and Cornelius Together
Cornelius’ Act of Humility:
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” —Acts 10:25-26 (NIV)
Peter: Breaking the Law for Jesus:
“28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. 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?” —Acts 10:28-29 (NIV)
10:30-33—Cornelius recounts his vision.
Peter’s AHA Moment: The Theological Thesis to his Sermon:
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” —Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)
Before Cornelius Could Be Converted to the Faith, Peter Has to be Converted to the Possibility.
“As a follower of Jesus, Peter is converted to a new understanding of the church’s faith and mission, one that leads him to step across boundaries and barriers that had, up to this point, seemed impenetrable.” —Robinson & Wall, Called to be Church
“If Peter, the lead apostle, the rock upon whom Jesus would found his church, required continuing and even shaking conversation and transformation, who are we to rest on our laurels?”—Robinson & Wall, Called to be Church
The Gentile Pentecost
God breaks through two thousand years of exclusivity and opens the door of faith to the Gentiles:
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. —Acts 10:44-48 (NIV)
How Jesus Set the Stage
Through his words and actions, Jesus laid the foundation for the conversion of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10
- Jesus calls his Disciples—Jesus sees more than our imperfect past, and calls all of us to do great things for his kingdom.
- The Woman at the Well—Jesus crosses social boundaries to share the good news.
- The Good Samaritan — Virtue is defined by our character and faithfulness, not our race.
- The Last Supper— God welcomes everyone to the table—even Judas.
- The Restoration of Peter— Jesus extends grace to the people who least deserve it.
Jesus frequently shares an uncomfortable truth that he wants his disciples to live by.
Faith in Action
Know: The Gospel is good news for everyone. Being chosen is never a license to discriminate.
Pray: Lord, open my eyes to the uncomfortable truth you need me to live by.
Response:
Tap here to Respond to today’s message
Let us know if you’d like to commit your life to Jesus, respond in baptism, or request prayers using the in touch card in our app.
Questions? Contact Bryan: (609) 356-3147 or bfojtasek@westsidelife.org.
Life Group / Reflection Questions
Main Idea: The Gospel breaks through every barrier (Acts 10—Peter and Cornelius)
Bryan began his message with this quote from Martin Luther: “Baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes our whole life to complete.” What do you think this means, and how does it relate to Peter’s life story?
Why do you think the Jewish people developed such a hostile attitude towards everyone else (i.e. the Gentiles)? Do you think Christianity sometimes struggles with something similar? Why or why not?
Peter and Cornelius both had a significant conversion in this story. Who do you think had the biggest change of heart, and why?
In Acts 10:28, Peter said it was against the law for him to associate with the Gentiles. The problem is, there wasn’t any law in the Bible that said that. Do you think there are any “unwritten rules” that we sometimes add that make it harder for people to find Jesus or come to church?
Have a volunteer read Galatians 3:26-29. What is the common identity that all disciples of Jesus share, regardless of our personal background? What does it mean to clothe ourselves with Christ, and how might this be an antidote to sectarianism, division, and the “us-vs.them” mentality in our culture?
Why do you think mentioned specific demographics (e.g. Jew/Gentile, slave/free, male/female) instead of just saying something more general like “Y’all need to get along?”
What does Paul mean when he says “for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” and what would it look like for us to live that out on a daily basis?
What is the significance of Paul saying that everyone who belongs to Christ is an heir according to the promise? How would that have put Gentile Christians (like Cornelius) on equal footing with Jewish Christians (like Peter)?
Who are some of the people that might feel most excluded or unwelcome by today’s church, and what can we do to create a more welcoming space for them to encounter Jesus?
End your time with prayer requests and allow for people to share their takeaways or commitments that they’d like to make for this moving week.