Lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P.O. Box 1173

Claypool, Arizona 85532

520-425-8345

Date: 06-25-00

Sermon Number: 018

Text: Acts 10

Topics Addressed in this Lesson

(The Providence of God, Seeking, Knocking, Finding)

There are many ways God reveals Himself to sinners. He does so through creation, conscience, the written, and the spoken word. Sometimes He reveals Himself suddenly and sometimes gradually. Whatever the case, the revelation of truth makes men responsible to God. I go so far as to say a man will be saved or damned based on how he responds to the knowledge of God he has been given. That every man has sufficient knowledge to make him responsible to God and liable to punishment is revealed clearly in the scriptures.

I refer to Romans chapter one where we read in verse eighteen, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, WHO SUPPRESS THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, (who know some truth but choose to ignore or suppress it) {19} because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. {20} For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (There is no man who will be able to stand before God and say, "I did not have enough information, you can’t condemn me for my sin.") {21} For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God (which had been revealed to them internally and externally) for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." The people described had enough information about God to render them excuseless if they did not seek and worship Him. And that is exactly what they refused to do. They repressed their knowledge of the true God and created their own gods, idols, in the image of beasts and man. They did not improve on the light they had they extinguished it. Therefore, darkness filled their hearts and God’s judgment fell upon them as indicated in the verses that follow.

Our text today introduces a man of a different stripe, one who sought to improve and increase the limited knowledge he had come to possess. In a short time Cornelius was rewarded with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

(Acts 10 NASB) "Now there was a certain man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, {2} a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms (gifts of charity) to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually."

Cornelius was a Gentile centurion. A centurion was a Roman military officer in command of one hundred men. We are told that he was devout, God-fearing, active in the practice of his faith, giving to all who were in need, and, he prayed to God continually. The label, "God-fearer", described a non-Jew who worshiped Jehovah but had not yet become a Jew by circumcision. They were observers rather than full participants in the Jewish community. Therefore, they had to stay in the back, on the fringes of Judaism. They did not have full fellowship with the circumcision. In the eyes of the Jewish people it was a good thing to be a God-fearer. It meant they were on the right track. Nevertheless, because they were not yet Jews, it was improper for Jews to associate with them socially. Because he was a God-fearer we could call Cornelius a true seeker of God. For he took what truth he could glean from the Jews put it into practice and began seeking more truth. God was working in him to will and to do of His good pleasure. Cornelius was well on his way to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ the Lord.

The apostle Peter would be the one to tell Cornelius about Jesus. However he must first be prepared. For Peter would have trouble associating with Cornelius since he had not been circumcised. Had he been fully converted, Peter could have gone to him easily. But that was not the case; Cornelius was still an unclean Gentile. And in my opinion it was good that Cornelius had not been fully converted. Remember the words of Jesus as found in Matthew 23:13-15 NASB. "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in . . . {15} "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel about on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."

Cornelius was safer on the outskirts of Judaism than he would have been on the inside. For out there he was exposed to the demands of God’s Law and not the corruptions so characteristic of that religion. Having been exposed to the Law of God Cornelius knew he was a sinner. He knew about God, His wrath, justice, mercy, and grace. Perhaps he had heard of the promised Messiah and began looking for His arrival. Truth is we can’t know exactly what Cornelius knew and what he did not know. What is important is that he took the truth given to him and made every effort to live by it and improve on it. He was devout, loving, and in constant prayer to God.

As I read this text the question came to my mind, "Was Cornelius already converted?" I ask this because we are told that God heard his prayers. The Bible teaches that God does not hear the prayers of the unbeliever UNLESS said prayer is one of repentance and faith toward God for salvation. This man could have been saved even though he did not have a clear understanding of the gospel. I did not say he could be saved without any understanding of the gospel but with a dim understanding. I speak of that kind of knowledge which the Old Testament saints possessed. The information they had about the Christ was dim and incomplete yet those who believed what they knew and responded rightly to it were saved from the wrath to come. They had only a little light but they made appropriate use of that light and they were saved. Was this the case with Cornelius? Perhaps. However his constant pleading with God may have been for the salvation of his soul and peace for his stricken conscience. We know that the man who knocks on the door of grace will have it opened unto him. The man who seeks God with the light he possesses will find Him. Whether Cornelius was already saved or was pleading with God for salvation we do not know. What we do know is that his prayers would now be answered. The angel continues to instruct him.

Cornelius is now ready to receive God’s messenger and his message. However, as I said earlier, Peter must be prepared to minister to this God-fearing Gentile.

Could Peter preach salvation offering it freely to one who had not come to God by way of Judaism? Could he tolerate associating with an uncircumcised dog? Could he have close fellowship with people who had been considered unclean for centuries? He could and he would when God was finished preparing him for this new assignment. The vision of the sheet full of animals was intended to show that God did not consider the Gentiles unclean, as did the Jews. They could be saved through faith in Christ just like the Jews had been. Further, they would not have to become Jews by circumcision before being accepted by God.

The story tells us that Peter was on the roof of the house of Simon the Tanner. This reminds us that Peter was already going through some changes in his thinking along these lines. Before his salvation there was no way he would be found in the home of a man whose living was made by working with dead animals. Contact with anything dead made one unclean and unfit to worship, yet Peter knew that Simon was a fellow Christian and, therefore, consented to stay with him. On this day he went up to the roof of Simon’s house to pray. There he fell asleep and had a vision. A great sheet was let down from heaven, and in the sheet were all kinds of animals, some the Jews would call unclean and others were clean. Some could be eaten and were suitable for sacrifice while other were not. Then came this voice, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat."

Peter responded as a Jew would respond, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean!" I have never disobeyed you in this. The reply was, "Do not call anything impure that God has made unclean." Surely Peter had never heard anything so strange. God Himself had given the commands concerning clean and unclean animals. Now He is declaring that all animals are clean. Can this be so? Is God contradicting Himself? Three times he heard the statement, "Kill and eat! Do not call unclean what I have declared clean." It is no wonder Peter was perplexed.

{17} Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon's house, appeared at the gate; {18} and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. {19} And while Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. {20} "But arise, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings; for I HAVE SENT THEM MYSELF." {21} And Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?" {22} And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you." {23} And so he invited them in and gave them lodging. (Under normal circumstances Peter would not have invited these gentiles into the house. They were unclean, uncircumcised dogs. It is obvious that Peter already understood the meaning of the vision. The Gentiles must no longer be considered unclean.) And on the next day he arose and went away with them, and SOME OF THE BRETHREN FROM JOPPA ACCOMPANIED HIM. {24} And on the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

The very next day Peter started out with his guests to Caesarea, taking some of the brethren from Joppa with him. These must have been saved Jews. This was a stroke of genius on Peter’s part. For whatever was about to happen there would need to be witnesses on hand to verify it so the rest of the Jewish community before they would believe and accept it. Cornelius had been prepared by God to receive Peter and his message. Peter had been prepared by God to have close fellowship with uncircumcised Gentiles. Now we see that the Centurion’s whole household had been prepared to receive the gospel as well.

{25} And when it came about that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. {26} But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." (Did Cornelius think Peter was something more than human? Did he think that Peter was an angel? We can’t know, but what we do see clearly is how little truth this God fearing man possessed. For he knew no better that to worship Peter.) {27} And as he talked with him, he entered, and found many people assembled. {28} And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and YET GOD HAS SHOWN ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY MAN UNHOLY OR UNCLEAN. (This was the meaning of the vision.) {29} "That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. And so I ask for what reason you have sent for me." {30} And Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, (the is a description of an angel) {31} and he said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. {32} 'Send therefore to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.' {33} "And so I sent to you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, WE ARE ALL HERE PRESENT BEFORE GOD TO HEAR ALL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN COMMANDED BY THE LORD." {34} And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, (God does not prefer one race over another.) {35} but in EVERY NATION the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him."

What does Peter mean when he says God is not one to show partiality? The KJV says "God is no respecter of persons." The context makes the meaning clear. The whole passage has to do with Jews and Gentiles and how God views the two. The intent of the passage is to show that there is no difference between the races in the eyes of God. Jews and Gentiles are equally sinful, both need the grace and mercy of God, indeed, the blood of Christ, or they will perish. God does not prefer one over the other based on anything in or about them. If He deals with one man this way and another that way it has nothing to do with his race, intelligence, perceived goodness, or wickedness. God shows no partiality in this way. Look with me at Galatians 3:28-29 NASB. {28} "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." All who are in Christ by faith are true sons and daughters of Abraham and joint heirs with him of all the promises formally made to Israel. This is what was meant by Peter’s statement, "There is no partiality with God."

One man wrote, "It was a long and deeply rooted opinion among the Jews, that God never would extend his favor to the Gentiles; and that the descendants of Jacob only should enjoy his peculiar favor and blessing. Peter also held this opinion previous to the heavenly vision mentioned in this chapter. He was now convinced that God was no respecter of persons; that as all must stand before God’s judgment seat, to be judged according to the deeds done in the body, so no one nation, or people, or individual, could expect to find a more favorable decision than another who was precisely in the same moral state. For the phrase, respect of persons, is used in reference to unjust decisions in a court of justice, where, through favor, or interest, or bribe, a culprit is acquitted, and a righteous or innocent person condemned. Peter is saying there is no inequity with God as there is among humans. He will receive and save all who come to Him by faith regardless of race, nationality, or gender. There is no partiality with God!" (End Quote)

In our text then we see the following; (1.) The barrier, between the Jews and Gentiles was broken down. (2.) No man was to be saved by external privileges, none would be lost by the lack of them. (3.) All men are guilty before God, Ro 1:1-32; 2:1-29; 3:1-31 none have a claim on Him. (4.) If any are saved, it comes to pass by God's showing mercy on such as he chooses to show mercy upon. Ro 3:22; 10:12; 2:11; Ga 2:6; compared with Ro 9:1-33; Eph 1:1-23. "God is no respecter of persons" De 10:17; 2Ch 19:7; Job 34:19 Ro 2:11; Ga 2:6; 1Pe 1:17.

God the Holy Spirit speaks on this very issue in Ephesians chapter two. (Ephesians 2:11-22 NASB) "Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands-- {12} remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off (because of sin and uncleanness) have been brought near by the blood of Christ. {14} For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, {15} by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES, (In this law God had identified that which was clean and unclean both in the area of food and association. This had created a barrier, a wall, between the Jew and the Gentile. But with the vision given to Peter that barrier is removed. The Jews must no longer look on the Gentiles as unclean for God has cleansed believing Gentiles just as He has believing Jews, with the blood of Christ.) that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, (Peace between Jew and Gentile in Christ.) {16} and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. {17} AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, (the Gentiles) AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; (the Jews) {18} for through Him (Jesus) we BOTH have our access in one Spirit to the Father. {19} So then you (Gentiles) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, (believing Jews) and are of God's household, {20} having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, {21} in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; {22} in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."

These texts ought to affect the way we think about and treat the people we meet. When we consider a person we should not see the color of their skin or think about their national origin. Rather we must learn to see, in him or her, a never dying soul that must spend eternity in heaven or in hell. Our concern for person’s soul ought to make us forget where he came from, the color of his skin, and his or her gender. God is not partial and neither should His people be. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. {29} And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Peter continues speaking.

Acts 10:36 "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)-- {37} you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. {38} "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. (Peter knows or assumes that these Gentiles have heard of Christ at least in a general way.) {39} "And we (Peter and his six companions.) are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And they also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. {40} "God raised Him up on the third day, and granted that He should become visible, (The good news is not good at all if our so called Savior has died and is still in His tomb. But that is not the case, Jesus has risen from the dead, a conquering Savior! He showed Himself . . ) {41} not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. {42} "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

I can’t help but insert here one of my favorite texts also from the book of Acts. (Acts 17:30-31 NASB) "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, {31} because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Every person on earth is called to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus has been given the task of judging the world. On that day He will show Himself to be a God of love to those who believe and a God of wrath and damnation to those who rejected the truth reveled to them. It is time to repent and believe in Jesus for Salvation, why? Because the judgment is on its way. Jesus is both the Judge and Savior of men. Which will He be for you?

{43} "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone (Peter now understands that this "everyone" is both Jew and Gentile.) who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." (Everyone, Everyone, Everyone, regardless of the sins they have committed, Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins! Even Gentile dogs.) {44} While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. {45} And all the circumcised believers (The saved Jews) who had come with Peter were amazed, (The saved Jews couldn’t believe it!) because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. {46} For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, {47} "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we (Jews) did, can he?" {48} And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days."

The lessons of the day are both obvious and not so obvious. The obvious things are these. God is no respecter of persons. Therefore, we must not be prejudiced in our treatment of others. The race, nationality, social status, or gender of a person should have nothing to do with how we treat or think of them. We must see every person as a being with a never dying soul that needs the blood of Jesus to cleanse it and make it acceptable to God. All men and women need salvation and we must do what we can to bring that about. Second, we must remember that sinners are not saved apart from the gospel. It is true that Cornelius was a God fearing man. He worshiped Him in the best way he knew how but he needed to hear about Jesus. He needed to know the Savior as He is revealed in the good news that Peter set forth. No man is saved apart from the Gospel. Third we must understand that the gospel is not complete if the presentation stops at the death of Christ. For a dead Savior is of no value to anyone. We must proclaim and indeed emphasize the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Jesus is a living Savior who will save all who come to Him by faith. Therefore, we must believe and take to our lips the words of Peter when he said, "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, (God does not prefer one race over another.) {35} but in EVERY NATION the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him."

There is one more thing to notice in this text. It is something that will comfort us all our days if we will see and embrace it. I speak of the providence of God working all things together for our good. Do you see it? God puts Cornelius in a position to hear the scriptures but keeps him from the dangers of Judaism. He puts within his heart the desire to worship God in the right way. He moves him to cry out for help, for knowledge, for more truth. Then, unbeknown to Cornelius, God prepares someone, Peter, to meet his need of knowing more truth, the truth that will save his never dying soul. The thing I want you to understand is that this is no isolated incident. God is always working all things together for the good of those He has chosen to save. He is always working all things together for the good of His blood bought children even when they do not yet understand or know the Savior who died and rose again for them. Oh what a blessing it is to know and understand the providence of God. He moves His universe for us beloved, and that is not an exaggeration!