“The Gentiles Can Be Saved As Well As Jews”

Acts 10:1

Introduction

• The last we seen of Peter and the disciples that followed him were in the house of “Simon a tanner,” after he had raised Dorcas from the dead.
• We last read in Acts 9:43…And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
• Peter as breaking down a culture barrier here in this action. WHY? Because a tanner is someone who worked with the dead skins of animals and they were looked down on and despised by the Jewish society.
• The local synagogue more than likely shunned Simon because of his occupation as a tanner. Peter welcomed him into their congregation.
• Up and to this point Peter had only preached to the Jews. This was also the thoughts of Paul as he wrote in Romans 1:16 (KJV) …For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
• The Jews are God’s “peculiar people” and “a pearl of great price,” as Jesus said. They should be offered the gospel of Jesus Christ first.

I. Cornelius, A Centurion

  A) He was a devout man

• Look at Acts 10:1…There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
• One commentator I read from said that when a man was called “a certain man” it means that he was not a Christian. However, he may be a Godly man.
• “A centurion” is a commander of the Roman army of 100 men.
• It also says that he was the “centurion of the band” which is being a commander of a division consisting of 400-600 men in the Roman army.
• “Italian band” meaning a company of men from Italy.
• Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament said this…It is evident that many of the soldiers in the Roman army would be those who were born in other parts of the world; and it is altogether probable, that those who were born in Rome or Italy would claim pre-eminence over those enlisted in other places.

  B) He was a devout man

• Look at verse 2…(KJV) A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
• This is proof of God taking care of His own. I mean that God knew the heart of Cornelius and that he was worshiping God not with his lips but his heart.
• “A devout man” is a descriptive term here telling bus of his “spiritual conduct.”
• A devout man means very spiritual, pious, and upright in worship to God.
• For Cornelius to be considered devout by Peter’s terms or Luke the writer’s definition would be as he wrote in this verse describing devout as being…

1. “…one that feared God with all his house.” He made sure that every member of his family was worshipers of God and lived it.
2. “…gave much alms to people” He was very generous in giving what he had to others in need.
3. “…prayed to God always.” Praying for every little thing that was needed or wanted by any member of his family and friends.

• “one who feared God” was also a technical term used by the Jews to refer to a gentile who had abandoned their pagan (idol worship) religion to worship Jehovah God.

  C) Cornelius’ vision

• 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.
• A vision is like a realistic dream designed by God to allow the person receiving this vision a personal conviction to do a certain thing.
• Note when the vision occurred… “about the ninth hour.” That means 3:00 pm in the afternoon. Was Cornelius taking a nap? Possibly.
• He may have ate a late lunch after all his duties and was quite satisfied with all the events of the day to rest a bit.
• The vision starts out with an angel of God coming to him calling him by his name “Cornelius.”
• This was odd because Cornelius was the one to call people by name and start distributing orders to his men the order of the day.
• Look at verse 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.
• What is odd about this vision is also what shook Cornelius up. Because in this vision, Cornelius “was afraid.” Leaders of Roman soldiers are not supposed to be afraid.
• Discuss WHY Cornelius may have been afraid.
• Different angels have different characteristics I believe because most of the time when an angel appears unto mankind and senses fear it says… “fear not.”
• Here when the angel appears to Cornelius the angel of God comforts him by telling Cornelius… “…Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” In other words “Your prayers and good deeds to others are remembered of God and he is pleased.” Or as Genesis 8:21… “And the Lord smelled a sweet savour;”
• Might I also add that this is much like God accepting a sacrifices of sinners in the Old Testament. When a priest would take the animal sacrifice of the Jews and lay it on the altar to have God consume it.

• The people were waiting patiently and maybe with some reserve as to whether or not God would reject it for some reason. But once God consumed it, it meant that he accepted their atonement for their sins and they were relieved.
• The command given to Cornelius – Look at Acts 10 and now down in verses 5) And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6) He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
• These are very specific orders given to Cornelius. Note first, that the Angel of God did not want Cornelius to go personally but rather send someone in his stead.
• Now also note that he was to have his men “call for” meaning to ask around town for someone called Simon who also went by the name Peter.
• The angel of God also gave a specific area in which to search for Peter…

1. Peter was staying with a man called Simon
2. This Simon was a tanner
3. This Simon’s house was by the sea side. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament said this…Joppa was a seaport on the Mediterranean. Tanneries are erected on the margin of streams, or of any body of water, to convey away the filth produced in the operation of dressing skins.

• Cornelius Promptly Responds – Now look at verse 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; 8) And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
• Cornelius responds in accordance to his character described by God’s men. He was devout. A devout man does not send just anyone to do the work of God. He sends someone of like manner.
• As a contractor for many years I remember people asking me “If you aren’t able to do my work for me, is there someone else that you would recommend to do my work that needs to be done?”
• This made me feel good as they valued my work and opinion. They knew that I would not recommend someone that would do lousy work or treat them poorly.
• The same here goes with Cornelius. He would not send a boy to do a man’s job.

 

II. Peter’s Vision

  A) Peter’s experience as he prayed

• 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:
• I don’t know about you but in my mind I am thinking that praying on a housetop is not a good idea.
• It sounds good when you think about seeing the stars shinning, the full moon, the cool evening air and maybe the aroma of foods all over town filling the nostrils…and etc.
• But what ruins this idea for me is that it was also a place where people bathed. Look at David’s sin with Bathsheba after seeing here take a bath where? On the roof top.
• Maybe baths were taken more like into the ninth hour .
• “…About the sixth hour”… About twelve o’clock at noon. The Jews had two stated seasons of prayer-morning and evening. But it is evident that the more pious of the Jews frequently added a third season of devotion, probably at noon.
• Now look at verse 10) And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
• You are up on the roof top praying when all of sudden you have a “Mac attack” and start to prepare your food when you fall into “a trance.”
• A “trance” is typically a short stare into space.
• Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament enlightens us with “a trace”… denotes a state of mind when the attention is absorbed in a particular train of thought, so that the external senses are partially or entirely suspended. It is a high species of abstraction from external objects; when the mind becomes forgetful of surrounding things, and is fixed solely on its own thoughts, so that appeals to the external senses do not readily rouse it. The soul seems to have passed out of the body, and to be conversant only with spiritual essences.
• Now this is quite the trance if you will now note the next verse …
• Verse 11) And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
• Again I refer to Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament when he said… This language is derived from a common mode of speaking in the Hebrew Scriptures, as if the sky above us was a solid, vast expanse, and [as] if it were opened to present an opportunity for anything to descend. It is language that is highly figurative.
• Peter sees heaven open up… “…and a certain vessel descending unto him,”
• Was this a UFO? Yes. Peter called it a vessel. It was unidentified. It was not an angel or God himself but rather a vessel.
• The “vessel” is described as being “a great sheet knit at the four corners.”
• To have a sheet knit at four corners means that you would take the four corners of the sheet and bring them together and sew them up so that you can transport something in this convenient sheet folded like a bag.
• Note what Peter saw in the sheet folded like a bag was strange to him.
• Note verse 12) Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
• Note that in this sheet together were all kinds of 4-footed animals (to the Jew meaning clean and unclean) and wild beasts, bugs, and birds.
• The was God’s way of keeping His people (The Jews) separate from the idol worshipers (The Gentiles).
• This would be a disturbing trance because of this visual being seen by Peter.
• Several commentators have stated that this visual of the sheet with unclean and clean animals meant that God was trying to tell him “NOW is the time for you to be a witness to the Gentile nation.”
• Now in this next verse we see Peter here reminding the Lord that he would do nothing against his convictions in verse 13) And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
• God knows our hearts. God saw Peter’s heart. So, God speaks to him again in verse 15) And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
• The Lord has told Peter that God has already cleansed all animals for mankind to be able to eat just as He has cleansed every heart that desires to worship him through His Son Jesus Christ the ultimate sacrificial lamb.
• May I also point out the separation of common or unclean meaning unholy or defiled.
• “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” More than just getting rid of the O.T. dietary restrictions, God made unity possible in the church of Jews (Clean) and Gentiles (unclean). This is the “WORKS” of Christ on the cross for us. Praise the Lord!
• Now we see in verse 16) This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

 

  B) Trying to understand God’s message

• 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,
• When Luke penned the words that “Peter doubted,” It means to say that Peter did not understand the dream or the interpretation of the dream.
• There are some dreams that you dream and you disregard quickly or some that you may not even give a second thought.
• But this one was 3 times repeated.
• What is hard for us to understand is the fact that to the Jew it meant life or death to eat defiled (unclean) meat. And then to see them mixed with clean animals and birds and insects and stuff…quite a shock and Peter felt that it was necessary to figure this thing out.
• So while Peter is coming out of this trance trying to figure it out, God saw that Peter was cornfused.
• The men (The ones that Cornelius sent) were standing “before the gate” (in front of the door to the porch area) asking where Simon’s (Peter’s) house was. Now let us note verse 18) And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
• So, now Peter, still in a quandary over what his vision was, now is hearing these men holler for him to come to the door here in verse 19) While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
• Who needs a door bell right! When you have the Holy Spirit of God telling you someone is at the door.

• Now listen to what the Holy Spirit says to Peter in verse 20) Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
• Why did the Holy Spirit tell Peter what to do? I mean the guys are hollering at Peter or someone trying to find out where Simon, also called Peter was at… and Peter is inside just meandering around like a drunk man trying to focus on the vision that he had.
• This is us don’t you see. We many times are doing our own thing and sometimes just too much focused on what we want done or what we believe needs to be done in the ministry and God sends the Holy Spirit to us to show us and we are like in a trance.
• Sometimes we just need a Gibbs slap in the back by the Holy Spirit of God to wake us up and do what God wants us to do.
• The Holy Spirit tells Peter 3 things to do…

1. Get down there
2. Go with these 3 men
3. Don’t worry about this vision for now,
4. I (The Holy Spirit) sent these men

• 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?
• Peter goes down to meet the men and find out why they were here. Peter knew they were coming because of the vision, but did he associate what was going on now with what vision he had earlier.
• I believe that it is interesting how detailed Luke gets in repeating what these men told Peter. Look at verse 22) And they said,

1. Cornelius the centurion, (Giving Peter the credentials of who sent them.)
2. …a just man, (Stating the Character of their boss)
3. …and one that feareth God, (Helping Peter to know the heart of Cornelius)
4. …and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, (Giving Peter a testimony of their boss (Cornelius) to others)
5. …was warned from God (Clarifying that Cornelius was sent a message from God, and not of himself.)
6. …by an holy angel (The messenger was a holy angel. This helped Peter to know immediately that this was related to his vision stated in verses 3-6. It is also quite possible that it was the same angel. )
7. …to send for thee into his house, (This also tells Peter that all this is God’s doing and that he needs to let these men into his home and figure out amongst themselves what God wants them to do.)
8. …and to hear words of thee. (These men are to wait for instruction from Peter as to what to do.

•  This is the way I am. I love detailed and really do not know how to explain something or answer a question unless it is with great detail.
• Someone with not so much to say would probably say I like this… “My boss wants you to go see Peter.”
• The reason for the explanation is because it gave validity to their story to explain who Cornelius was and that he was a man of character and such that God would give him this message.
• Then they explained who it was that gave their boss this message and where to find you.
• Now look into verse 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.
• These men stayed all night with Peter in his house. The next day (“on the marrow”) Peter started out traveling with these men to go and see Cornelius.
• Note the term “…and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.” These are six Jewish believers that we will read about later in Chapter 11 and verse 12. These are also those men that are identified down in verse 45 as being “…they of the circumcision.”
• Peter was setting out for unchartered territory and Jews that might not readily accept him. For Peter’s protection, God sent these men to give Peter the comfort and support of his new brethren.
• I might also add if you wish to indulge into the bible knowledge of Jewish travels…Here are some verses that back up the fact of brethren traveling together to establish the local New Testament churches… Acts 11:2; Romans 15:24; Acts 15:3; III John 1:6 and I Corinthians 16:6, 11.
• We need to understand that 4 days had passed by before Peter met with Cornelius in Caesarea.

 

III. Peter Meets Cornelius

  A) Worship God only

• Look at Acts 10:24 (KJV) …And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
• Now this is kind of neat to see a big centurion (leader of 400-600) call his friends and relatives over to hear the gospel.
• Cornelius apparently had been keeping his family in the know of his Godly experience (An angel of God giving him specific detailed orders to send men to find a man called Simon whose surname was Peter).
• In the minds of Cornelius’ family, they were going to meet a man of God. They felt that Cornelius was a great leader and also a Godly man. So if Cornelius gets a message from God in a vision, what kind of a man would this be whom God is so interested in. He must be holy!
• Now look into verse Acts 10:25…And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
• This incident reminds me exactly of the account of John being shown all the things that are to happen in the future in Revelation 22:8, 9. John falls down to worship the angel for all the things shown unto him. And the angel says to John… “… See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”
• Many times we become honored by others and fail to realize our position in life. Sometimes we fail to realize our position in the Kingdom of heaven.
• We are not to be lifted above any one. Yes, we are to edify one another.
• Yes, we are to esteem others better than others. Christ teaches this. But never are we to observe anyone as in worship to them… except God.
• Cornelius falls to worship Peter and now look at Peter’s response in verse 26) But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
• Here is this man (Cornelius) a man’s man, a soldier, a leader of many, devout Godly man that everyone looked up to bowing to a common man in worship.
• Peter says… “Come on man, you are embarrassing yourself, get up off the floor, I am a man just like you.”

  B) Peter sharing his knowledge

• As we look at this next verse we will see Peter seeing an opportunity to preach in verse 27) And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many (Cornelius’ family) that were come together.
• Peter loved crowds. It bothered him not at all to speak to people about any subject. This is why Jesus chose him to establish the church.
• Look now at the knowledge that Peter imparts to the crowd in 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 said “it is an unlawful thing” he means that it was considered “taboo” (forbidden by Jewish standards and customs) or against Jewish tradition.
• It was not God’s law, nor was it a civil law. It was just a standard set by the church leaders just as we too have certain “taboo” laws. For example…Baptist do not go to a Catholic church or Jehovah’s Witness, or Mormon church. You just don’t do that. Of course we have our reasons and they are backed up scripturally but that is what I mean…You just don’t do that.
• Another example is rich people just don’t hang around poor folks. It is “taboo.”
• Peter here in verse 28 is reminding these people of their “taboo law” for a Jew to visit with or stay at a house belonging to a person of another nation.
• I remember a Jewish Lady that I worked with and she stated that her and her family were disowned by their families because they came to America to live. They were not allowed to go back. I was devastated by that poor situation. What would you feel like if your family disowned you?
• Peter goes on to explain that he is only coming to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them as God has commanded him to do in verse 28b… but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
• Can you imagine the thoughts in the mind of those of whom Peter was speaking to? Can you imagine the looks on their faces as Peter was sharing what God had laid on Peter’s heart through a vision?
• What Peter is basically saying to these people is this… “God helped me to understand that the Kingdom of God is not supposed to be made up of Jews (common) only, but also Gentiles (unclean) and many other nations of those who believe in God.”
• Look at verse Acts 10:29 (KJV) …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?
• In the study of this verse let us understand that Peter is trying to gain understanding of his vision and the purpose of it in verse 29a “…Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for:” Meaning that without hesitation or delay he promptly left dropping what he was doing to see Cornelius.
• Verse 29b)…I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? This is Peter asking… What reason do you have to send men for me?”

 

C) Cornelius shares his dream

• Now let us look into verses 30- 33…

1. WHEN this started…“And Cornelius said, Four days ago
2. WHAT I (Cornelius) was doing…“I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house,
3. WHO delivered the message… “and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
4. WHAT the messenger said… “31) And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 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.”
5. WHAT I (Cornelius) did… “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.

6. Preaching To Cornelius Household
7. God is no respecter of persons

• Acts 10:34a…Then Peter opened his mouth, and said,
• All a preacher needs to do is “open his mouth,” and let God fill it with the words that are to be what He wills to be said.
• Acts 10:34b…Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: In other words, God does not show any partiality or favoritism. He is not prejudice.
• NO PARTIALITY is taught in the O.T.

1. Deuteronomy 10:17…
2. II Chronicles 19:7…
3. Job 34:19…

• NO PARTIALITY is taught in the N.T.

1. Romans 2:11…
2. Romans 3:29, 30…
3. James 2:1…

• The reality of this truth “NO PARTIALITY” is taking on a whole new meaning for Peter.

• This truth is hard as they have always been taught that Jews were of the circumcision, and common, while the Gentiles are uncircumcised and unclean.

  D) God accepts those of every nation

• Now look at Acts 10:35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
• To be accepted is something that everyone desires. We get that from our maker, our creator God. God wants to be accepted and He rejects those who refuse Him or His law.
• Yes God accepts all! But there is a clause in here that most don’t see… God accepts those who fear Him (By being obedient) and God accepts those who do what is right.

  E) God’s word is peace

• Peter preaches Jesus Christ now in verse 36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
• “God’s Word preaches peace,” Is what Peter is preaching here. Peace to whom? What kind of peace?
• Basically Paul is saying here that Christ paid the price for sin on the cross with His sacrificial blood to establish “peace” between man and God. It is NOT peace to the world but to His people. Those who worship Him.

  F) Jesus was given power

• Peter preaches now of Jesus and His credibility in verse 37) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 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.
• Just because Peter said that God anointed Jesus and that God was with Jesus does not mean that He was. So Peter had to keep going in his preaching and make these people realize that they were blind to see the truths of God but were also witnesses…
• Look at verse 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:
• Many of the people that were there with Cornelius had witnessed Jesus raising people from the dead, turning the water into wine, the walking on the water, the feeding of the 5,000, His death and burial…they seen it all and Peter wanted them to recognize what they saw and did.
• Now note verse 40) Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41) Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
• Peter also makes them realize that God only allowed His Son to be seen of those who truly believed in Him…”witnesses.” NO, not Jehovah’s witnesses, but true witnesses of the saving power of Jesus Christ given him by God.
• Did you notice the fantastic truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ mentioned by Peter? “…who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”

• WHAT? After Jesus had died, was buried, and risen by God, He came back to this crummy world to show His people that when you believers in Christ die you too will be changed into a glorified body that will be able to eat and drink and fellowship with others just as Jesus did. PTL!

G) Christ gave us commandments

• Peter now preaches a commandment given by Jesus Christ to the believers in Him…Verse 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. 43)  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

• What is this commandment? (look at verses 42 and 43)

1. To preach to people
2. Testify (Of Jesus Christ and know that He was ordained of God to be judge of the quick and the dead) QUICK (alive) Those who will be alive when the Lord comes. DEAD are those who have passed away in the Lord which will rise first.
3. The prophets prophesied of the Messiah coming and that He would give to those who believed in His name (Jesus) that they would be forgiven of their sins. (a repeat basically of Acts 4:12)

 

IV. The Holy Spirit Falls On The Gentiles

  A) All who heard the word

• Look now at Acts 10: 44…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
• This same “Holy Spirit” came and filled the people just as it did in Acts 4:31.
• And by the way, they didn’t all get up and start speaking jibberish (in tongues as the Pentecostals believe), waving their hands and rolling on the floor. They became bold speakers of the word of God. They were filled with the wisdom of God and now see as He sees. They were not blinded anymore.
• 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.
• What Peter had said earlier of his vision that God gave him (Acts 10:14) is now coming about. Praise the Lord the Gentiles are no longer considered “unclean.”

  B) Baptism of the Believers

• Look at verse 46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
• “…they heard them speak with tongues” Does this mean jibberish that no one understands? NO! It means different languages of all nations.
• Why did God allow them to speak different languages?
• To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• To bring light to what was then a dark world. Light is what? Understanding
• 47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
• Baptism is the believer saying… “I am making Jesus Christ Lord over my body and life. I am dead to my sin and old bad behavior and I am now alive in Christ Jesus to walk (do) differently.
• The filling of the Holy Spirit takes place immediately and is a repeated reality of a Spirit-controlled behavior that God commands believers to maintain.
• Peter asked a question here… “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,” In other words… Can anybody here prevent these people from being baptized? Of course not!
• Look at verse 48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
• I could be wrong here in my reading of this verse and thinking to myself… I noticed the words “…he commanded them to be baptized.”
• Why did Peter “command them?” I believe that it could possibly be because no one was responding to the question he had just asked. No one was assuming the responsibility to do any baptizing.
• Peter is a man of action. He doesn’t wait for somebody to do something…he does it himself.
• This is why many churches die. Everyone expects the pastor and family to do everything and all they have to do is come and enjoy the fun.
• No workers at all in the ministry. When the pastor gets old…the church dies because he can’t do it all anymore. Sad, truly sad.