Scripture Reading: Acts 10:30-35

The Gospel Goes to Gentiles

(Acts 10)

Intro.

1. The scene is set for the glorious inclusion of Gentiles into the kingdom of God, Isa. 2:2-3.

2. To accomplish this, God selects the first Gentiles to hear the gospel and the first man to preach to them. God brings them together through a series of events so the gospel can be heard, believed and obeyed. Then, God gives miraculous confirmation that Gentiles are worthy of salvation in Christ, so that Gentiles are saved that very day.

I. CORNELIUS SEES A VISION AND SENDS FOR PETER, Acts 10:1-8.

A. A Good, Moral Man Who Was Lost in Sin, 10:1-2, 22; 11:14.

1. Cornelius was devout (pious), feared God (reverent), generous (charitable), prayerful (depended on God), just (fair, honest), good reputation (integrity, 10:22, cf. 10:24).

2. He was lost, 11:14.

3. Peter would tell him what he “must do”, 10:6; cf. 9:6.

4. Cornelius not saved by:

a. Good character toward God and men.

b. Good works of morality.

c. Vision of an angel.

d. He would be saved by words, 10:6, 22, 33 (48); 11:14; Rom. 1:16.

B. God Remembers His Promise, 10:4-8 (Gen. 12:3; 22:18).

1. All the nations to be blessed in Abraham’s seed, cf. Acts 2:39.

2. The seed is Christ, Gal. 3:16.

3. God will bring Gentiles into contact with the gospel of Christ to be saved just like the Jews were being saved, Acts 15:7-9.

4. Sent men to Joppa for Peter, 10:5-8 (~30-35 miles S).

II. PETER SEES A VISION AND GOES TO CORNELIUS, Acts 10:9-33.

A. Vision and Revelation Convinces him to Go to a Gentile, 10:9-23.

1. Unclean meats were forbidden by LOM: Purpose, Lev. 11:46-47.

-Christ purified all foods, Mk. 7:19 (1 Tim. 4:4).

2. Devout Jews considered Gentiles unclean, 10:28; cf. Jno. 4:9; 18:28 (Acts 11:1-3).

a. Likewise, the gospel is for all men, Acts 10:15, 34 (no partiality).

b. Therefore, Peter went without objection, 10:20, 28-29.

c. Six brethren went with Peter, 11:12.

B. An Audience Ready to Hear Peter’s Words, 1o:24, 27, 33.

1. Peter explained how he got there, 10:28.

2. Cornelius explained why he sent for Peter, 10:29-33.

3. Prepared to hear the gospel of Christ, 10:33 (Lk. 8:8, 18).

III. PETER PREACHES TO GENTILES, Acts 10:34-43.

A. Peter Begins to Preach Christ, 10:34-43.

1. God is impartial, accepting all who fear and obey Him, 10:34-35.

2. Sermon (same preached to Jews in Acts 2), 10:36-43.

a. Jesus approved by God as Messiah, 10:38. Anointed with the Spirit and power: Identifying marks of Messiah, Isa. 42:1-4 (Matt. 12:17-22, 28); Isa. 61:1-2 (Lk. 4:18-21).

b. The Jews killed him (we are witnesses), 10:39.

c. God raised Jesus from the dead, who showed himself to witnesses (apostles), 10:40-41.

d. Apostles charged to preach to the people, 10:42 (Mk. 16:15).

e. God ordained Jesus to be Judge of all, 10:42 (17:30-31; Jno. 5:22; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15).

f. All the prophets testified of Him, 10:43.

g. Whoever believes will receive remission of sins, 10:43.

-10:35; Mk. 16:16: Faith that obeys is the faith that saves.

IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT FELL ON THE GENTILES, Acts 10:44-48 (11:15).

A. The Effect it had on the Gentiles, 10:46.

B. The Effect it had on Jewish Christians, 10:45.

1. Peter remembered Pentecost, Acts 11:14-16; cf. 2:17.

2. The effect: Confirmation of Gentile inclusion, 11:17; 15:7-9.

C. The Result of this Miraculous Event, Acts 10:47-48.

1. It was God’s testimony that Gentiles could become Christians, saved in Christ Jesus, Acts 15:8-9. God showed no distinction!

2. The Lord of all saves all who believe and obey, 10:36, 43.

3. No one can forbid Gentiles from being baptized for the remission of sins, cf. Acts 2:37-38; 8:16, 36-38.

4. The Holy Spirit event did not remove sins; blood of Jesus did that.

D. The Gospel they Heard Included a Command: Be Baptized, 10:48; 1 Pet. 3:21; Heb. 5:9 (Acts 10:35).

Conclusion

1. Convincing Jewish Christians that Gentiles were worthy of Messiah’s blessings of forgiveness took multiple visions and an astounding, miraculous display of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

2. The power of the gospel is on full display:

a. Power to overcome prejudices, fears and doubts (10:34-35).

b. Power to overcome the sins of all who will believe and obey “the word” God sent forth to Israel and to the nations (10:36, 43).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: July 10, 2013