Peter and Cornelius confirm each other
Acts 10:17-35; 8/27/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Today’s scripture is a typical example of seeking God’s will, which can be used for reference and study by brothers and sisters. The spiritual principles contained in the scriptures are also necessary elements for our spiritual growth. Let’s look at the first point:
Longing for and seeking
The bible says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)” Peter and Cornelius became one in longing for God, and they confirmed God’s will together. First of all, seeking proof in wondering. It is not surprising that people after Adam were suspicious. Peter also had doubts in his heart and ignorance in his spirit. However, Peter was not bound by his own doubts, but took faith as the cornerstone, and stepped forward to explore, seek, and follow. On the other hand, Cornelius did the same, and according to the inspiration and command of the Holy Spirit, he sent someone to invite Peter. Obviously, what God gave to the church was the testimony of two people, let Peter and Cornelius bear the testimony together. God made two strangers walk toward each other in two places 45 kilometers apart, and they came together to prove each other. It wasn’t until Cornelius’ men came and knocked on the door of Simon the tanner in Joppa port that Peter felt a sudden realization.
Second, the credentials in the observation. Not long ago, we visited Simon’s house. Maybe too many people came to visit. We were told that Simon was not at home. An iron door is locked tightly, locking the memory of Peter here more than two thousand years ago. However, there is a small door on the left, and people still come in and out, leaving room for those who observe. Following the knock on the door, Peter heard someone, “They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.” What does it mean? Who is coming? Does it have anything to do with the “fell into a trance” just now? Is there any connection with the various four-legged animals, insects and birds contained in the large sheet? What does God mean by “kill and eat”? What is certain is that there must be a gospel-related connection between the two.
Finally, confirmation in thinking. What Satan fears most is our thinking, do you know why? Because thought is the most powerful weapon God has given us, agree? Adam and Eve only needed to think a little bit, and they would not have been deceived! Didn’t God’s creations be perfect? Are the eyes created by God not bright enough? How can this snake talk? Just one thought question is enough to stop the patriarchs, repel Satan, and pray for God’s help. The point of Peter’s thinking is that when God led him to the house of Simon the tanner, it was already a big step forward. Now, it is clear that God still wants him to move forward, to get out of the constraints of Jewish nationalism, and to take one more step in the direction of God’s love for the world. Let’s look at the second point:
Three witnesses
The three-person witness mentioned here has two meanings. One is that Cornelius sent two family members and a pious soldier, totaling three people. Another calculation is that Cornelius, Peter, and the group who came to invite Peter were also three people. First, an enhanced version of the Witness. For this vision, this vision of a turning point in the history of the church, God used an enhanced version of the witnesses. It is to add a “third party” on the basis of the two witnesses to emphasize the importance of this vision. When we talked about the turning point of the New Testament church in the past, we would talk more about the Macedonian vision or Paul’s Gentile apostleship. However, today’s scriptures let us see, especially from the perspective of ecclesiology, confirmation of Peter and Cornelius is the acceptance and starting point of the New Testament churches evangelism to the Gentiles. The Macedonia vision in the future is nothing more than a missionary direction decision after the transformation of the entire church.
Second, the Holy Spirit speaks at this time. With the word of God, there must also be the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and the Bible must corroborate each other and are indispensable. The Bible says: “While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. (Acts 10:19)” When we are seeking God’s will, we have reached this stage, and the rest is objective verification. Peter needed to confirm how what the Holy Spirit said was related to what happened objectively. Peter heard what he was familiar with from the Bible: “So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:20)” This type of sentence pattern and way of speaking is the way God used to deal with the prophets in the Old Testament. Get up, go down, I have something to tell you! God spoke in this way to Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and others.
Finally, hear and act. The Bible says: “Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” (Acts 10:21)” What Peter lived out was the “equation of faith” taught by the Lord Jesus, that is, “hear and act”! Peter needed courage to go out to meet people. After all, the visitors were dressed in noble clothes, and one of them was a soldier, which somewhat scared the common people. Peter’s response was neither humble nor overbearing, full of the glory of God! This is also the attitude and courage we should have today when facing officials who come to church and interfere with Sunday worship. The proper manners, the boundary of speaking, and the appropriate attitude are the dignity of God’s children and cannot be violated. Let’s look at the third point:
Mutual confirmation
This historical plot has reached its climax here, and Luke will lead us to see the mutual confirmation between Peter and Cornelius. First, the testimony of life. The so-called witness of life is not just human performance or words and deeds, let alone moral inference and judgments. The testimony of life is to live out a life more and more like the Lord because of the core values of Christ. Two of Cornelius’ family members and Viconelius, a pious soldier who often attended him, testified: “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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say. (Acts 10:22)” When our family members, or those close to us, say we fear God, it may be true. Not only the family, but even praised by the Jewish nation.
Second, the transformation of life. What was even more unusual was that when he invited Peter to come, he was not asking Peter for help, but to listen to what Peter had to say to him. Such a willingly teachable life is rare, even unique. Listening and obedience are necessary if any change is to be expected in our spiritual life. Peter’s life was also transformed when he told Cornelius: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. (Acts 10:28a)” Even food should not be mixed together. Peter’s transformation is: “But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. (Acts 10:28b)” Peter’s breakthrough is not simple, he must go beyond nationalism, patriotism, traditionalism, religiousism, and the human environment.
Finally, the words of life. Finally, we come to the theme of the theme, that is, God told Peter to walk 45 kilometers from Joppa to Caesarea, which is the palace and barracks of the Roman emperor. What is the purpose of coming to see the centurion Cornelius here? A centurion is equivalent to today’s company commander. However, because he was defending the Roman emperor in the palace, his status, rank, and rights would be higher. He told Peter, saying: “Three 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 (Acts 10:30)” Peter’s response brings out the main point of today’s message: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34)” For a Jew, this is equivalent to updating the traditional concepts of the past. Even: “but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:35)”
Conclusion
Peter’s receiving and renewal is almost the same as 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.” Dear brothers and sisters, may I ask, has your life been renewed? Does your life and my life confirm each other with today’s scriptures, becoming your commitment to the gospel and participation in the mission?
Let us pray……
Acts 10:17-35
17 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[a] men are looking for you.
20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 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 ask you to 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 believers 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.”
27 While talking with him, 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 or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone 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: “Three 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.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
