Acts Chapter 10

From The Open Bible Project

10:1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

• (1) Peter consecrates the first fruits of the Gentiles to God by the means of two miracles.

10:2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.

• (a) So that he worshipped one God, and was not an idolater, and neither could he be void of faith in Christ, because he was a devout man: but as of yet he did not know that Christ had come.
• (b) This is a commendable thing about the man, that he laboured to have all his household, and well-known friends, and acquaintances to be religious and godly.

10:3 At about [40] the ninth hour of the day [See Acts Footnotes 40], he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

10:4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.

• (c) What do you want with me Lord? For he prepares himself to hear.
• (d) This is a borrowed kind of speech which the Hebrews used very much, taken from sacrifices and applied to prayers: for it is said of whole burnt sacrifices that the smoke and smell of them goes up into God�s nostrils, and so do our prayers, as a sweet smelling sacrifice which the Lord takes great pleasure in.

(e) That is, in as much that they will not allow God as it were to forget you: for so the Scripture often talks childish with us as nurses do with little children, when they prepare their tongues to speak.

10:5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is surnamed Peter.

10:6 He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.[41]"

10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.

10:8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

10:9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.

10:10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.

• (f) For though Peter does not stand amazed as one that is tongue tied, but talks with God and is instructed in his mysteries, yet his mind was far from being as it normally was; shortly, however, it returned to its normal state.

10:11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,

• (g) So that it seemed to be a square sheet.

10:12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.

• (h) Here is this word "all" which is general, plainly used for something indefinite and uncertain, that is to say, for some of all sorts, not for all of every sort.
• (i) That is, such as were proper for men�s use.
• (k) To see what is meant by these creeping things see (Leviticus 11:2-47).

10:13 A voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"

10:14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."

• (2) Peter learns daily in the knowledge of the benefit of Christ, yea, even after he had received the Holy Spirit.

10:15 A voice came to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean."

• (l) Do not consider them to be unprofitable.

10:16 This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.

10:17 Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate,

10:18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there.

10:19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, [42] three [See Acts Footnotes 42] men seek you.

10:20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

10:21 Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?"

10:22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say."

10:23 So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

10:24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.

10:25 When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.

• (3) Religious adoration of worship is proper only to God: but civil worship is given to the ministers of the word, although not without danger.

10:26 But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man."

10:27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.

10:28 He said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean.

10:29 Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?"

10:30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at [43] the ninth hour, [See Acts Footnotes 43] I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

• (m) He does not mean the very hour at the present time (as it was nine o�clock when he spoke to Peter), but the like, that is, about nine o�clock the other day.

10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.

• (4) Cornelius' faith demonstrated itself by prayer and charity.

10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.'

• (5) As faith comes by hearing, so it is nourished and grows up by the same.

10:33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."

10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism;

• (6) Distinction of nations is taken away by the coming of Christ: and it is evidently seen by their faith and righteousness, which ones are agreeable to him and which ones he accepts.
• (n) That God does not judge according to the outward appearance.

10:35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

• (o) By the "fear of God" the Hebrews understood the whole service of God, by which we perceive that Cornelius was not void of faith, no more than they were who lived before Christ's time: and therefore they deal incorrectly who deduce meritorious works and free will from this passage.

10:36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all--

• (p) God showed the Israelites that whoever lives godly is acceptable to God, no matter what nation he comes from, for he preached peace to men through Jesus Christ, who is Lord not only of one nation, that is, of the Jews, but of all.

10:37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

• (7) The sum of the Gospel (which will be made manifest at the latter day, when Christ himself will sit as judge both of the living and the dead), is this, that Christ promised to the fathers and exhibited in his time with the mighty power of God (which was demonstrated by all means) and at length crucified to reconcile us to God, did rise again the third day, so that whoever believes in him should be saved through the remission of sins.

10:38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

• (q) This manner of speaking is taken from an old custom of the Jews, who used to anoint their kings and priests, because of which it came to pass to call those anointed upon whom God bestowed gifts and virtues.

10:39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they [44] also [See Acts Footnotes 44] killed, hanging him on a tree.

10:40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed,

10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

• (r) This choosing of the apostles is properly given to God: for though God is president in the lawful election of ministers, yet there is in this place a secret opposition and setting of God�s choosing and men�s voices against one another, for the apostles are appointed directly by God, and the Church ministers indirectly.

10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.

10:43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins."

10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.

• (8) The Spirit of God seals that in the heart of the hearers which the minister of the word speaks by the commandment of God, as is evident by the results.

10:45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.

10:46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

10:47 "Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?"

• (9) Baptism does not sanctify or make those holy who receive it, but is an outward sign to the world of the profession of faith.

10:48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.