Acts 10: The Conversion of Cornelius

Read Acts Chapter 10

Introduction: The book of Acts tells the story of the early church and how the message of Jesus Christ spread throughout the world. In Acts 10, we see a great example of how God’s love and salvation is for everyone, regardless of their background or what part of the world they are live. This chapter marks a significant turning point in the history of the church, as the gospel message is extended to the Gentiles. We should all be thankful that God’s plan was to include people like me and people like you in his plan of salvation, it still gives the world great hope in year 2024, that the best part of a person’s life can be yet to come, speaking of eternity in Heaven.

I. Acts 10:1-8 – Cornelius’ Vision
Cornelius, a Roman centurion and gentile, was a devout man who feared the Lord, and had a giving heart. He receives a vision from God to send for Peter, and so he is obedient to the word that God gave him in the vision. We read in Romans 2:11, there is no partiality with God in the New Testament covenant, all are welcome to receive salvation, whether a Jew or not. And in Hebrews 1:14, the Bible talks about angels as ministering spirits, which lines up with the angel appearing to Cornelius to bring good news. Cornelius sought God and God gave him the wisdom he needed to find his answer as the Bible tells us in James 1:5, God gives wisdom to those who ask.

II. Acts 10:9-16 – Peter’s Vision
Peter has a vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals and is told to eat them, this was against the Jewish dietary laws, but was a vision that showed Peter that it was time for the New Testament gospel to spread to the gentiles. The Bible is very clear in Galatians 3:28, in Christ, there is no Jew or Gentile, which shows the unity of all believers, whether we were born Jewish or American. There is no schism in the body of Christ. In Romans 14:14, the Apostle Paul states, nothing is unclean in itself, which relates to the message of Peter’s vision.

III. Acts 10:17-23 – Peter Goes to Cornelius
Peter is told by the Spirit to go with Cornelius’ messengers, even though at first he didn’t know what his vision was about, he began to connect the dots and went to Cornelius. In the gospel of John, Jesus talks about other sheep that is not of the Jewish sheepfold, John 10:16, is a verse which relates to the inclusion of Gentiles. Some obedience was required from God’s messenger for Cornelius to be able accept Jesus, we also read in Acts 11:12 , Peter was a man who was obedient to God’s call, helping many to find Jesus.

IV. Acts 10:24-33 – Cornelius Meets Peter
Cornelius gathers his family and friends to hear Peter’s message, showing his desire to learn about God and the message of salvation. Some other verses that relate to these verses are Luke 19:10, Jesus came to seek and save the lost, which relates to Cornelius’ seeking God for forgiveness and salvation. Acts 8:30-31, show the he importance of guidance in understanding the scripture, which points to the importance Cornelius asking Peter to come and speak. And in 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible tells us that all scripture is useful for teaching and instruction about the principles of the kingdom of Heaven.

V. Acts 10:34-43 – Peter’s Message
Peter shares the gospel, pointing out the fact that God shows no partiality and that salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus, a revelation he got from the vision of the sheet full of unclean animals. Some cross reference verses pointing to theses verses are John 3:16, it says that God so loved the world, that is the whole of humanity across the world, including you and me. In Romans 10:12, the Bible tells us that the Lord is the same for all, which teaches that with God, there is no partiality. Finally in 1 John 2:2, the Bible states that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, all are welcome to receive the message of the gospel and the salvation that comes with it.

VI. Acts 10:44-48 – Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit falls on all who hear Peter’s message, and they are baptized, a confirmation that Gentiles are part of God’s family. All believers are marked, or sealed with the Holy Spirit as the Bible tells us in Ephesians 1:13, and all are baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13), which teaches us that God invites the whole world to be part of the kingdom of heaven. Acts 2:38, teaches the promise of the Holy Spirit for all, whether Jew or gentile, which believers receive when they turn their lives over to Jesus.

Conclusion: Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in the Bible that shows God’s heart for all people. The story of Cornelius and Peter teaches us that the truth that the gospel is for everyone. Through visions and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Peter comes to understand that God does not show favoritism, and he shares this message with Cornelius and his household. As a result, the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized, showing they are fully accepted in God’s church. This chapter should remind the believers that God’s love, mercy and grace knows no boundaries, and as followers of Christ, we are called to share His love with the world.