A Tale of Two Conversions...God's Good News to Outsiders
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Please turn to Acts 10. Acts 10.
We are looking at the life of the early church—after Jesus had already come, died, risen from the grave, ascended on high—and the Holy Spirit has been poured out—and the church is living in light of all that.
and our theme verse is from Jesus Himself—let’s read.
8 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.”
that is a declaration that is being fulfilled…even though Jesus left—He sent the Holy Spirit, enabling them to be witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection in:
Jerusalem (chapters 1-7)
Judea (chapters 8-9)
Ends of the Earth (chapter 10 - 28)
So Please stand as I read… chapter 10 is so important—it gets retold in chapter 11 and in chapter 15…so pay close attention...
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.
here is where Caesarea is (show map) - it is technically in the NW corner of Judea— (setting of Acts map)
and this is the first place Cornelius shows up.
what is his job? He is like a captain in the Roman army. a centurion. in charge of at least 100 men. the regiment would have had at least 600 men.
and he is very devoted to God—praying to God, giving generously to the poor…we get the picture that even though he is not Jewish or Israeli in background, he is following as best as he can God—he has an OT view of God you could say.
so Cornelius is a very interesting character—though Gentile and Roman in background—(not a Jew) he follows the God of the OT — the Jews as best as he can…in some ways he is a convert to Judaism without undergoing the OT rite of circumcision or the dietary laws most likely…as close as he can possibly get —reminds us of the Ethiopian eunuch a little bit from chapter 8.
and he gets a vision to send for Simon (the apostle Peter)
and that’s where we pick up the next scene
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.”
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.
so Cornelius had a vision of the angel...
now Peter has a vision...
this Peter is one of the 12 apostles of the early church
He is the Peter that would often open his mouth too quickly to speak…and he went up on the roof—they would have had flat roofs back then, with an outside staircase to pray. And God gives him a vision.
with a command to kill and eat all kinds of animals.
Peter would have been very reluctant to do this. why?
because in the OT—God had given the Israelites/the Jews a list of over 600 laws to follow.
some of this law was called the ceremonial law…especially in the book of Leviticus. these laws contained what are called the “clean and unclean laws.”
for instance Leviticus 11:1-2
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat:
3 You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.
4 “ ‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you.
7 And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
sorry no bacon for the Israelites...
not that there was anything inherently bad in these animals—but God gave the Israelites not only the famous 10 commandments (don’t steal, commit adultery, lie), but also a list of rules (called the ceremonial law) not to earn God’s salvation, but to show them that in every area of life, they were to be set apart for God. they were to be different than the pagan nations and Gentiles around them. God was teaching them so much about his character through the law.
so you can understand Peter—who is a Christ follower but Jewish in background, why he would be so hesitant to obey the voice in the vision.
The story continues:
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.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
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.
BTW—it’s pretty remarkable how obedient Cornelius is to the vision…and now Peter. Both show surrender and obedience to God. What would you have done?
(look at map of Caesarea and Joppa—either setting of Acts, or early ministry of Peter)
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 a man 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 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?”
vs. 28 look at that again—it was hard for Jews to associate with Gentiles
They were technically not forbidden from associating with them—but because of all the ceremonial laws in the OT regarding clean and unclean—it was taboo to go into a Gentile’s house and eat with them.
but Peter is starting to make connections...
God is getting his attention...
the OT food laws and clean and unclean…no longer apply. why? b/c of Jesus I will get into that in a future sermon in Acts 11.
and if they don’t—there are no clean and unclean people.
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.”
so what does Peter do? he shares the good news—and notice how comprehensive this is...
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does 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.”
so Peter recounts to him the life of Jesus…the Good news—the Gospel message of what God has done through Christ.
Did you notice how big or comprehensive His message is...
He shows:
*The Gospel is for everyone
*it’s about peace (vs. 36) (or salvation with God—forgiveness with God)
*Lord of all (vs. 36)
*Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit (vs. 38) (reference to Trinity—God anointed Him with the HS and power)
*he did miracles, good, set people free from the power of the devil (vs. 38)
*was crucified by the Jewish leaders, his own people (vs. 39)
*God raised him bodily on the 3rd day (vs. 40) (Payment accepted for sin; life after death)
*vs. 42 commissioned to tel his story and warn of judgment (vs. 42)
*Scripture is all about Him - Jesus (vs. 43)
*forgiveness of sins through his name is offered (vs. 43)
and this is awesome because Jesus had predicted during his ministry that he would use Peter to build his church
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
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.
there is so much we can learn—I want to focus mainly on Cornelius today—for the main dish with a little bit of Peter sprinkled in…and then in chapter 11 when this story is repeated—we will focus on Peter and the church as the main dish with a little bit of Cornelius sprinkled in
What do we learn from Cornelius...
That all “outsiders” can become full-blooded members of God’s kingdom — all are invited.
think of Cornelius again—he is a Roman Centurion. It’s hard for us to imagine just how much the Jews back then would have hated the Romans. The Romans were in power—they were in control. They taxed the Jews—for everything—tax collectors everywhere…so basically any money you made from crops or business—were taxed to the Romans. you were constantly reminded of your occupied status.
so for the good news of Jesus Christ to go to this Roman soldier—a leader of 100 soldiers—that’s a big deal! it’s a reminder that God wants all people, including the farthest outsiders to be a part of His kingdom and church family.
he wants the farthest outsiders to become insiders...
in fact, this guy Cornelius was incredibly devoted to God—that he even had a good reputation among the Jews. however, most likely he would not have been circumcised so he was not a full convert to Judaism or did he follow the clean and unclean food laws and such—so if he went to the temple to worship—he could not have gone as far into the temple as a Jewish male would have. he would have been excluded in some sense.
so he probably could have felt like an outsider—ethnically (being a Gentile and Roman), religiously/spiritually—not being able to fully enter in, being an enemy—you couldn’t get more outsider-ish than a Roman soldier leader!
but now—this passage is teaching that even Gentiles, the farthest can come in.
ever felt like an outsider? what’s that feel like...
maybe you have been in the new kid at school...
the new person at work...
if you are dating someone and go to visit their family for a meal—the 1st time you meet you don’t always feel like part of the family
if you visit another country
even visiting a church for the 1st time—can feel very awkward...
it’s hard being an outsider
think of it before God---“if anyone is an enemy of God—it’s me.” “I have done horrible things. I am not like Cornelius who at least was a good person—I have done wrong and messed up...” the good news is you can be a part of God’s family too because of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to work for it—or become Jewish first—or religious first…it’s all the grace of God.
or you may think - “I don’t have the right last name in Berne or Adams Co...” “I am not from here...” you can be included in God’s family…b/c this story of Cornelius reminds us of that
“I don’t have enough money…or success..” the good news of Jesus is for failures...
this story reminds us that no matter how far you may feel away from God—you can be brought in...
how do we know this—look at verses 44-45
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,
the Holy Spirit—God’s power and presence Himself confirmed it!! they got the same HS as the Jews who became Christians did on the Day of Pentecost...
you can become a full-blooded 1st class citizen…that’s good news!
the world may tell you you are nothing—even the church sometimes sadly does—but that’s not right—Jesus died for you too to be brought in.
all still need the good news of Jesus no matter what…they need to hear the Gospel message. no matter how good you are
even though Cornelius is known for his seeking and fearing God, for his praying, for his giving generously to the poor…it still wasn’t enough to save him before God.
the book of Romans says this so clearly...
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Cornelius—as good of a man as he was…fell short of God’s glory—He needed a Savior—He needed Jesus Christ.
look at verse 36
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.
and Peter talks about Jesus’ life, his power, miracles, his freeing people from the power of the devil… (Jesus frees people from the power of the devil—amen!)
of his death on the cross, of Jesus’ resurrection....
we see the Trinity in view—how God the Father sent Jesus and He was anointed by the Holy Spirit—a tri-unity. God is one as to person and 3 as to persons!
how Jesus is now Lord of All (Jews and Gentiles) Jesus will judge the nations--
this Good news—though it went to Abraham and Israel first—it was mean to go to all.
God had promised Abraham—that through his offspring—all nations would be blessed (including Gentiles like Cornelius)
and verse 43 is the clincher
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Cornelius had kind of an OT view of God—He needed to know about Jesus!
how Jesus came, Jesus lived for Him perfectly, Jesus died for him for his sins, Jesus rose, and now Jesus is the judge—you can only have your sins be forgiven b/c of Jesus.
even a “good” guy like Cornelius was still lost…he needed someone to come and share the good news of Jesus Christ with him to be saved.
God is inclusive—inviting all—
but it is exclusive—only through Jesus are we saved and put right with God. through His name--
this is a reminder that not only do our enemies need the Gospel, but “good” people. there are lots of “good”, hard-working, religious people in Adams County—but without Jesus Christ—what are they--”lost.” they are trusting in their good works, their church attendance, their religious order, their commitment to working hard to save them—but this passage reminds us it’s not that that saves us—it’s faith alone in Jesus Christ.
If that’s you today—if you have not trusted in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins (not your works or religion), you are in danger of facing Jesus’ judgment, too! what are you trusting in for your salvation?
and if you know someone who seems like a really good, religious, hard working, charitable person—how might God want to use you to tell them about Jesus?
God had to change Peter’s heart, too.
now, I know…i said I would focus mainly on Cornelius—but this point is a preview of my next sermon...
I won’t spend as much time here…but we can see the struggle Peter is going through.
He couldn’t quite understand how God would send him to preach the good news to a Gentile. especially with his view of the OT…and the law…
didn’t people have to follow the Jewish law—the OT law—didn’t people have to become Jewish if they were going to be Christian?
I called this a tale of 2 conversions—Cornelius and his household had to be converted that is from sin to Jesus, and Peter had to be converted from avoiding Gentiles to embracing them—all that could be one in Christ Jesus.
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
we will talk more about this next time in chapter 11. But who are the people you avoid and exclude? Who do you need to accept because God has accepted them? how do we as a church help outsiders become insiders — 1st with God—and then here as part of the church family?
God goes to great lengths to save people…He became unclean...
last week I mentioned in my Easter sermon—that the Bible isn’t mainly about me—or you—it’s about—God, Jesus Christ.
this passage teaches us that God goes to great lengths—to save his people. how?
through prayer—both are men of prayer…God loves to work through the prayers of His people...
and then he sends a vision—2x—once to Cornelius…and once to Peter.
I still hear today—that God sends dreams and visions—I remember a missionary to Muslims I followed around for a semester in seminary—how he would pray that God would give his Muslim friends a vision of Jesus—that would open up a door to talk about Jesus.
God goes to great lengths to save people—by sending Peter, the Apostle, with the keys of the kingdom—to travel over 30 miles to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
sometimes we can get cynical about God’s salvation—we see some really difficult, dark cases—do we really believe that God can save like this my non-believing friends, family, co-workers?
some of us here today may be in that questioning not sure if you are saved category—do you feel God pursuing you—chasing you down, too.
when we think of the great lengths God goes to—the greatest length He went to save us is by sending His Son—and he didn’t just go about 30 miles like Peter—He moved from heaven to earth.
Jesus Christ constantly showed us what life is like living with His Father and the Holy Spirit in perfect communion. He never sinned.
and most of all He died on the cross for our sins.
we see these clean and unclean laws...
Jesus became unclean for us—by the way he died—the Bible says “cursed is anyone who is killed on a tree (cross)” Jesus became unclean so that if we believe in Him we will be clean too.
Jesus knows what it is like to be an outsider—he was not accepted by his people...
and He knows what it is like to be God’s enemy-- killed and crucified in a horrible shameful death—as He became sin who knew no sin—so we might become the righteousness of God.
I want to call the worship team forward...
Can you relate to Cornelius—an outsider who desperately wants to be an insider? who needs the grace of God?
or Peter—how can God use you, even if you are reluctant to spread the Gospel?
how can Christ be glorified in us and magnified in us?