Acts 11:1-2 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
 
WHY did the church ruling body in Jerusalem criticize, even judge Peter for his ministry to Gentiles? Tthese men confessed faith in Jesus, who had ministered to many Gentiles: Mark 3:8 When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Did they not understand the Scriptures such as Isaiah 42:1 42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.”  
   There is a fundamental truth in our relationship with Jesus: We must continue to learn. Peter’s new ministry was the Spirit’s method to help them Jesus’ disciples understand. The Spirit made good use of Peter’s gift to speak and confirm the gospel is for the Gentiles:
 
Acts 11:4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 The I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ 8 I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
 
The Spirit has granted clarity to the speaker and to the listeners. When the church does not understand, it is good and right the listen to what God is teaching and commanding. It is good to watch what he is doing. This is the only way we can more fully live into his will.

Acts 10:44-48 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 the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from 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.
 
LET’S begin with Jesus’ final words to his apostles as recorded in Acts 1:8 “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.” Writing the early church’s history in Acts, Luke used Peter’s ministry to illustrate God’s plan to fulfill Jesus’ command.
   The Spirit first revealed the gospel in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4 All of the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The apostles spoke in other tongues as God’s sign of his supernatural power. Peter preached the gospel, so all could understand. And those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41) The gospel is in Jerusalem.
   Then Acts 8 reports the Spirit advancing the gospel to Samaria. Peter and John investigate. Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Repeating his work at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave an outward sign to the people of Samaria he was transforming lives. The gospel is in Samaria.
   Then God used Peter to advance the gospel to the ends of the earth – to the Gentiles. The Spirit instructed Peter to go to Cornelius’ home. On his arrival, Peter began to speak. And just as had happened in Jerusalem and in Samaria, the Holy Spirit unveiled God’s salvation. Once again as an outward sign, the people who had traveled with Peter heard the Gentiles speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter’s and the other Christians’ response was the same as in Jerusalem and Samaria. Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. For the third time, the Spirit had come to empower Peter’s preaching. People confessed Jesus is Lord. People were baptized. The gospel is now in Jerusalem, Samaria and going to the nations.
   Because the speaking of tongues is the Spirit’s gift on both the apostles and some believers, some believe one is not saved until he receives the gift of tongues. But the Bible is clear first of all that our salvation is not by a gift but only by faith (Romans 10:9-19). And second the Spirit gifts new believers with different gifts (See Romans 12:6-8 and other scriptures).
   The gift of speaking in tongues was the Spirit’s particular tool to help both the apostles and the witnesses know God was directing these events to advance his kingdom. We must remember all of this is God’s new revelation of Jesus’ atoning death to redeem the sins of the world. Everyone had much to learn. God was using all his tools to reveal his truth.
   How is he using you? Your church?  
 
 

Acts 10:39-43 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 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.”
 
IF you’ve been reading through Acts with us, you’ll likely read this Scripture and say, “I’ve heard this before.” You are right.
   Earlier Peter had told the Jews in Jerusalem, “You killed the author of life” (3:15); to the rulers he said, “You crucified him”  (4:10); and to the Sanhedrin he replied, “You killed him by hanging him on a tree” (5:30). And Stephen told the Sanhedrin, “You... have murdered him” (7:52). Also, on five occasions in Acts, the apostles said they were witnesses of the resurrected Christ (2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:41; 13:30-31). (from Bible Knowledge Commentary)
   The truth needed to be told. By his grace, the Lord arranged numerous circumstances for the gospel truth to be spoken. We can be sure the apostles spoke the gospel many more times. After all, it is the central message of God’s story throughout the Bible. People then and now need to hear once, twice, three times and more. We pray at some point they will say, “Yes, Lord!”
   Jesus’ messengers must repeat the truth because endless lies assault him. For example, on the day of Jesus’ resurrection the Jews contrived a lie about the disciples stealing his body. (Matthew 28:13) As the church developed, there were many false teachings attempting to reduce Jesus to a mere ghost or to reject his life entirely.
   When you know what is true, you must repeat the truth. It is very easy to feel the opposition’s assault against your faith. All types of people want to tell Christians we are fools to believe. If they can keep us quiet their noise will dominate the world.
   Be steadfast to make noise for Jesus! A lost world needs to know the way home to God. Yes, it’s often true that when we talk the good news we may feel no one listens. Be encouraged. The Lord wants you to know he has chosen people to listen to the truth. Keep talking. In the same way someone has told you, you must be God’s good news messenger.
 

Acts 10:27-33 Talking with Cornelius, 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 a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius answered: “Four 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.”
 
WHEN the Gentile, Cornelius, welcomed Peter into his home, Peter took a big faith step into a new mission field. The brothers who traveled with him from Joppa would quickly report Peter’s action to the church in Jerusalem. Many would see this work among the Gentiles as an abomination before the LORD. Gentiles were unclean, impure in the law’s sight.
   But God had awakened Peter to understand the true meaning of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The world is not just the Jews. The world is God’s creation throughout the globe. Mankind’s sin at Babel (Genesis 11) caused God to send his people into all regions of the earth. But in his grace, God promised Abram in Genesis 12:3 “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” The cross became the center point of God blessing the world with Jesus’ redemptive death, resurrection and ascension. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
   Peter now understands what God is doing: Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout 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.
 
When Peter said to the Gentiles, “You know.” he indicated the news of Jesus’ life was common knowledge among all people in Judea. Jesus’ life was such a magnificent display of God’s glory on earth, all spoke of Jesus’ work. Even if they did not believe he is the true Son of God, people talked about him! And this is still true of all the world today.      
   Let’s pray people will know how the true Jesus. They will faithfully respond to his salvation.
 

Acts 10:21-26 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 have you 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 brothers from Joppa went along. 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.”
 
MEN are doing God’s business. A divine messenger had spoken to Cornelius. Cornelius obeyed the instructions and sent men to find Peter. The Holy Spirit had also spoken to Peter. Peter had a very personal relationship with the Son of God. He had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, expressed deep devotion to his rabbi, felt the sting of Jesus’ rebukes, experienced the great grief of his sin and rejoiced as Jesus restored him to ministry. Peter had celebrated the high emotions to speak the Spirit’s authority to transform people’s lives into Jesus’ salvation. Was he greater than Cornelius and his servants?
   Peter knew his place in God’s kingdom. Responding to Cornelius’ devotion to him, Peter replied, “Stand up! I am only a man myself!” With these words, the Holy Spirit helps us all understand the essential truth of our relationship with God and with one another. Who we are is from God. Paul said it this way: We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
   God uses many people to expand his kingdom. Sometimes those church leaders and specially gifted people become prideful. In some cultures, people who preach and teach the Bible are elevated to a special place of privilege. Is this appropriate?
   Yes, it is good to honor those God has anointed to the gift of preaching and teaching. But we must remember each person in the church is gifted to a particular work. We should honor one another as the Lord loves those called to use the different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:8) As Jesus’ chosen body we must live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)
   When the Spirit calls you to service, respond in the same way Jesus served his church. Be humble. Be aware. Jesus has called you. He’ll show you what to do. Your task is to faithfully and humbly respond.  

Acts 10:17-20 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.”
 
PETER was thinking. He didn’t know how to respond to heaven’s vision of all animals on a sheet and God’s command, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” (Acts 10:13) His response in verse 14, “Surely not, Lord!” rejected God’s word. Instead of getting up, he remained seated in his room. What was he to do? This new word from God confused him. He didn’t like it. Was Peter possibly considering how he would avoid God’s command?
   Then the Spirit spoke specific directions to Peter. “Get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Peter was done thinking and wondering. Once more he had heard a direct word from God. Peter is an experienced apostle. He knows his only choice is to do what God tells him to do, even when he doesn’t understand what God is doing.  
   Being Jesus’ disciple means we listen when God talks. The Bible tells us God’s kingdom is a specific plan of action from one generation to another. God called many people into a particular work for him. Few understood completely how to do what seemed to be an impossible task. But they needed to know that their first task was to listen when God spoke. That means they heard his voice with their ears and responded with their heart, mind, hands and feet. They needed to go and do what God said. Listening to God, these men and women experienced God’s power change their lives. They saw the evidence of Almighty God’s reign over his world.
   As Moses prepared to die, he sang this song to implore Israel to listen to God: Deuteronomy 32:1 Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. 3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.  
   These are words of worship to the holy God, who has spoken to Israel and now speaks to his church. The Bible’s evidence is certain. His words will fall like rain and abundant dew on those who listen, who get up and go, even when we are not sure where the Spirit wants us to be.
   Following Jesus is a one-step journey. One step at a time we walk on the pathway to our holy destiny. Remain faithful. Be determined. Get up each day and walk with the Spirit, who instructs you in God’s way.  
   

Acts 10:9-16 About noon the following day as (those Cornelius had sent) were on their journey and approaching Joppa, 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 of the earth and birds of the air. 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.
 
PETER was in prayer. This was very common in Acts. Prayer is the key to hear from God as he reveals his next step to advance his kingdom.
   The LORD God is using Peter to initiate a dramatic change to the church. Peter will be the first to preach the gospel directly to Gentiles and to baptize them. Is Peter ready for this?
   It doesn’t seem so. Acts has revealed that Peter did remarkable works of God, even resurrecting Tabitha. But now he seems to once more put his will above God’s commands. To the Lord’s command, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat!” Peter replies, “Surely not, Lord.” God has commanded him to eat of any animal. But Peter rejects the new command. He firmly holds to God’s dietary laws. Three times the sheet comes down, and three times Peter denies God’s command. (Sound familiar?)
   Peter knows God is speaking to him. But he rejects the Lord’s authority. Even after ministering in God’s power, Peter did not fully understand the freedom of Jesus’ sacrificial death. The apostle Paul defined this freedom: But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:6)
   We often find it difficult to break from the codes, the rules that keep us from knowing God. Somehow we easily become attached to particular ideas or beliefs that cause us to deny the Lord’s commands.  
   Peter needed to remember: the LORD God has a plan. He chose Peter to be a vital part of the plan. God does not wait for Peter’s approval. God’s plan is already in motion. Cornelius’ messengers have come to Joppa. They are at the door of Simon the tanner, the place where Peter was staying. It was time to open the door to a new era in God’s eternal church.

Acts 10:1-6 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.”
 
CORNELIUS is the kind of person we’d like to call, “friend.” Cornelius was a leader of men. He commanded 600 Roman soldiers. Most importantly he and all his family were devout and God-fearing.
   The general religion in Rome was the worship of many gods. So it’s important to understand God had worked in Cornelius’ life to teach him about the LORD God – Yahweh. He apparently followed the law of Moses and worshiped regularly in a synagogue. A devout man is devoted to listening to and obeying God. He strives to do all the right things. He prays regularly and gives generously to care for people.
   God had prepared Cornelius and his family to have a special role in his plan to save the world. You could say this Roman leader and his family are an illustration of God’s work to prepare the Jews for the Messiah. Cornelius learned of God. He obeyed God. But Cornelius still needed a Savior. As we know, our works will not save us.   
   So God sends a messenger to this chosen devout man. It’s three in the afternoon, the time for Jews to pray. We note this is the time God used Peter and John to heal a lame man in the temple (Acts 3:1). A time of prayer is a good time to hear from God.
   Cornelius’ vision is very distinct. The Bible tells of many such meetings between angels and people. The angels are very real and clear. They do not come in a ghostly apparition but with distinct characteristics. Cornelius directly responds, “What is it, Lord?” He doesn’t know yet the messenger is from God. But when he addresses the angel, “Lord.” he indicates he is ready to listen and do as the angel commands. God has prepared the field for harvest.
   Cornelius has received his instructions. And he obeys:
Acts 10:7 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.
   Cornelius believed in God. And he believed God. He followed the law. His family and some of his soldiers were also devoted to God. But this was not enough. God has prepared this family for eternal salvation. The LORD graciously came to Cornelius to welcome him into a saving faith in Jesus. It is not enough to be devoted to God in the law. We must be devoted to the Son of God by faith. 

Acts 9:36-43 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner.
 
ACTS 9 begins with Jesus’ power coming to the violent Saul. Through Jesus’ power, Saul is born again into a new life to be the apostle Paul. We thank God he has determined to tell many, “Get up!” from sin’s death into an eternal living relationship with him.
   “Born again” is physical. As Acts 9 concludes, Jesus’ power works through Peter to resurrect Tabitha, a disciple. The Lord really does choose to resurrect some from physical death.
   Note Peter’s faith. He didn’t say a long prayer to exhort God to bring life into Tabitha’s dead body. He merely said, “Tabitha, get up.” This is a powerful faith command from heaven’s throne. Peter had listened to Jesus when Jesus said, “Lazarus come out.” (John 11:43) “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” (Mark 5:41) “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 7:14) God is life. With direct commands he has spoken, “Let there be…” into a void to create a glorious universe. Dying on the cross, Jesus spoke. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) to announce his mission on earth is done. God’s plan to raise the dead sinner into new life is now bearing fruit.
   We note the power of faith and hope in the church. This resurrection would not have happened if Tabitha’s friends had no hope of resurrection. They were Jesus’ disciples, and they believed in the power of the risen Christ. These believers had heard testimonies of Jesus’ life-giving, healing work and of Jesus’ resurrection. They believed his resurrection power would raise their friend. The people were faithful to seek Peter’s prayers. They were faithful to obey his instructions. Peter was faithful to seek God.
   He prayed. He spoke. The Lord replied. Tabitha opened her eyes as if from a  night’s sleep. Peter took her hand and helped her return to life.
          By faith, Peter stayed in Joppa to minister the gospel, prepared for the next new work God had planned for him. A living faith is expecting life from God.