Acts Chapter 10

The debate rages over whether we should view the "12 in" or "12 out" as far as being members of the church which began when Paul was saved, the church, which is the body of Christ. The body of Christ being distinct from the church referred to Matthew chapter 16 and which was "added to" up to this point in the book of Acts. That church is identified as "the church which was at Jerusalem" in Acts 8:1. Saul of Tarsus had no part in that church.

One sure reason for not including the "12 in" the church, the body of Christ is DOCTRINE. The doctrine preached by Peter in the book of Acts is the same doctrine Peter writes in 1 and 2 Peter. THAT doctrine is quite contrary to the doctrine we find in the books written by Paul, Romans through Philemon.

The same holds true of the doctrine written by James in the book of James, the doctrine of 1, 2 and 3 John, as well as the doctrine of the book of Revelation. So the conclusion is simple: If Peter, James and John wrote inspired scripture then they cannot possibly be in the church which began with Paul. The church, which is the body of Christ. You would have to also conclude that IF those apostles were in the body of Christ, then their writings could not be considered inspired scripture.

But now we have come to Acts chapter ten and to the only Gentiles Peter ever preached to in the bible. James never did and neither did John. This is the only case where any of the 12 apostles to Israel ever preach to a Gentile.

Peter points that out in Acts 15:

Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

He is referring to this very chapter and to this very group of Gentiles. But, what WORD did these Gentiles in Acts chapter ten hear? We will see that as we go through the verses:

Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Acts 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

That verse alone puts this man in a situation which is the same as that of the woman of Matthew chapter 15 and the Centurion of Luke chapter 7. (Those are the only two Gentiles Jesus Christ had any dealings with during the time of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) Notice that he is a "devout man," he feared God AND he gave much alms to the people. This is in one accord with what God said to Abraham in Genesis:

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

It is clear that this man blessed the seed of Abraham, giving much alms to the people. The centurion of Luke 7 was "worthy" because he had built the Jews a synagogue. The Gentile woman in Matthew 15 recognized herself as a "dog under the table, eating the crumbs of the children's bread." Notice what the Lord said about her:

Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Now the Lord had told her that it was not "meet to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs." The children obviously being the children of Israel, the bread being the message of the Kingdom, and the dogs, a reference to this very woman. So the Lord told the woman:

Mark 7:29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Notice that? FOR THIS SAYING. Gentiles, in the Kingdom, were to be blessed through the RISE of Israel and not their fall, as is the case today. Paul brings that out in Romans 11:11-15.

But at this point in time in the book of Acts, Israel HAS fallen. Events are not turning out according to the prophetic program. Huge changes are taking place. Peter is upset about it. He does not want to go to the home of this Gentile. Reason? It is not TIME yet to preach to "all natons." Israel is not saved. The kingdom has not been restored. Israel has not taken their position as a "holy nation and royal priesthood." Now notice this Gentile.

Acts 10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

"Evidently" means plainly or openly. The ninth hour is the "hour of prayer" for the Jews, as in Acts 3:1. This man is devout and he prays to God alway.

Acts 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Notice the "memorial?" He is about to get the blessing of Abraham of Genesis 12:3

Acts 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

Acts 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Joppa is some distance from Caesarea, evidently at least a day's journey. Peter wound up in Joppa after healing a man at Lydda and then going to Joppa and raising a woman from the dead.

Acts 10:7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

Acts 10:8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Cornelius sends three men to Joppa to get Peter, but when Peter reluctantly comes he brings six circumcised Jews with him. (Acts 11:12)

Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

Acts 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

Acts 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Acts 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Now Peter is a Jew and he is under the law. He knows what his diet is. It is found in Leviticus, and the things he is seeing in this vision are UNCLEAN things according to the law.

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

Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Acts 10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now the point of the vision is not necessarily about a change in dietary laws, even though there came a time when Peter "was come to Antioch" in Galatians chapter two, that he ate with the Gentiles until a delegation from Jerusalem showed up. But the point of this vision is what happens next.

Acts 10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

Acts 10:18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Acts 10:20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

So Peter's vision had to do with the fact that the Spirit had sent these men to find Peter and to bring him to the home of Cornelius.

Acts 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

Acts 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Acts 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

That would be the six circumcised Jews referred to earlier. So far we have seen two "morrows" pass since Cornelius has seen the angel.

Acts 10:24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

So these are the Gentiles Peter referred to later on in Acts 15. They are the only Gentiles he ever preached to anywhere in the bible.

Acts 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

Acts 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Acts 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

When Peter says that it is an unlawful thing it is obviously a reference to the law of Moses. Everybody in the church at Jerusalem up to this point was still under the law of Moses. Another thing that this verse clearly points out is that up to this point there were NO Gentiles involved in Peter's ministry or message. It was to Israel, for Israel and about Israel.

When he says that "God hath shewed me," when did God show him that? It was not at the time of Acts chapter two, or three, or four, or five. God showed this to Peter in the vision on the rooftop in Joppa three days before. But notice what Peter says next:

Acts 10:29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

For what intent? Why have you sent for me? Does this sound like Peter going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature? Not at all. Peter was reluctant to go to the man's home in the first place. He thought it was an unlawful thing. And when he does get there his intention is not to preach the gospel to him. He says "for what intent have you sent for me."

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

Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Acts 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Acts 10:33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

So Peter is finally getting the picture:

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Notice that? Fearing God and WORKING righteousness? If you compare what Paul said then you know that this is not Paul's doctrine:

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

It cannot be both ways. Obviously Peter's message and Peter's doctrine is contrary to Paul's message and doctrine.

So now Peter begins to preach, but notice WHAT he preaches.

Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Who was the word sent to? The children of Israel. Up to this point this word has only been preached to the children of Israel, HOWEVER:

Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

In Matthew 4:23, Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and praching the "gospel of the Kingdom." So these Gentiles KNOW this word which began after the baptism which John preached. This word was the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM. They had heard it before. They KNEW it.

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

And there again is Peter's consistent murder charge against the people and the elders of the nation of Israel.

Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

The Lord had appeared to them for forty days. By many infallible proofs he showed that he was raised from the dead. And he told them, the 12 apostles, that they would be WITNESSES.

Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

When he says "preach unto the people" it is a reference to the people of Israel. Up to this point that is the only people who have been preached to. But notice here what Peter's message is:

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

It is the same message of remission of sins Peter had consistently preached earlier. Remission is not a cure, but rather looks forward to a cure. Peter's message looks forward to a FUTURE day of atonement. This is the message God sent to the children of Israel which these Gentiles knew and which Peter is confirming.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Notice that! Things are definitely out of order here. Earlier Peter had said "repent and be baptized." That was WATER baptism. They would have done that first BEFORE they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. But Peter doesn't even finish his sermon before the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

They were ASTONISHED. They certainly never expected something like this to happen.

Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Now notice what Peter says next. In the light of the fact that these Gentiles have received the same gift as the Jews did on the day of Pentecost, Peter's only conclusion is:

Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Forbid water? Water baptism was JEWISH. It was for the Jews, it was for the nation of Israel. The purpose of it was to IDENTIFY the believer with his Messiah. John's baptism had been to MANIFEST the Messiah to Israel. Believers baptism was to IDENTIFY them in the NAME of their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

This doctrine is clearly NOT Paul's doctrine. These people are not in the church, the body of Christ. They never heard the gospel of Christ which was revealed to Paul. They heard Peter's Kingdom message. They then, are a type of Gentile salvation in the Kingdom and James makes that clear in Acts 15 as he quotes from the book of Amos.

Cornelius is NOT the pattern of Gentile salvation today. Paul is the FIRST and the PATTERN of salvation in the church, the body of Christ.