St. Peter goes to Cornelius

St. Peter goes to Cornelius

The Passage: Acts 10:24-48

Structure:

a. 10:23b-24a trip to Cornelius’ home

  b. 10:24b-27, Cornelius fell at the feet of Peter

    c. 10:28-29, Peter’s initial enquiry

      d. 10:30-33, Cornelius describes his vision

    c’. 10:34-43, Peter’s answer/sermon

  b’. 10:44-47a, Holy Spirit fell upon them  

a’. 10:47, staying at Cornelius’ home     

Historical and geographical context:

Theology:

St. Peter did not travel alone this time. We noticed two lessons ago that Peter undertook the whole visitation journey by himself [singlehandedly]. It is important to pay attention to the fact that this time he is escorted not only by messengers from Cornelius but also by some brothers from Joppa congregation. I personally believe it is recorded to contrast these facts. Do know exactly why – that’s for the next generation of Bible students.        

Cornelius is a complicated character. On one hand, he has leftovers of pagan habits (even though he was introduced to a reader as a God-fearing gentile).  Yet, seeing Peter he bows down, and Luke has no hesitation to add that he worshiped the apostle (10:25). Note how Peter responds to this situation – no chewing up, at the same time no pride exhibition. He simply corrects his mistake (that’s how he takes it), lifting him with his own hands. Good leaders lift up people, not put them down.     

At the same time Cornelius “walks by faith” – the only commandment he got from an angel is to send for Simon-Peter. Similar to the situation of Abraham – father of our faith – when God told him to go to the land which he doesn’t know. In a sense the story of Cornelius is a NT retelling of a guy who was raised as a pagan and called by God to walk into an unknown situation – land or unfamiliar house, being fully transformed through this experience into faith heroes.

Peter’s initial statement goes back to the idea of unity within the community of believers. He does not interpret his vision on the roof (10:9-16) as a delicatessen challenge. His immediate interpretation is a challenge of associating with gentiles and God’s encouragement “not to call any person common or unclean” (10:28). As Cornelius describes his vision (10:30-33), Peter comes to an understanding that God has no partiality, because in Jesus Christ all the people of all the nations can be accepted to God for He – Jesus – is the Judge of the living and the dead (note the usage of this phrase in the Creed). Also, all the prophets prepared the OT Church by bearing witness about Jesus who is the reason for forgiveness of sins of the believers (10:43).

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles was a big surprise to the circumcised believers. Two things about that: first, they used to have converts in the community (proselytes, cp. 2:11) and God-fearing Gentiles (who were not allowed to come to Passover celebration). Now, when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles, there should be no distinction between the believing Jews and Gentiles. Second, it is very interesting to notice the contrast between the First Church and current situation. Now the Gentiles have no problem to discuss the work of the Holy Spirit (one way or another), while the conversion of a single Jew leads people to shock (positive or negative).     

The baptism of those who are converted by the preaching of the Word is a seal of God’s promises. This historical account is accurate – the Bible is the Word of God, but it doesn’t contradict the statements of St. Paul (Col. 2:11-12) and St. Peter (1 Pet. 3:21) on efficacy of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.         

Other themes:

Coordinated prayers – angel of God appears to Cornelius at the same time when Peter prays on the roof-top. Which tells us about the grandiose plan of Almighty God Who brings people to salvation then and there He desires (AC V).