Acts 10: 24-48

(Acts 10: 24-48)

And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.  And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.  And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.  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.  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?  And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,  And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.  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.  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.  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)  That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  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.  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:  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;  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. 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.  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

 

Cornelius was a Gentile, but he was a godly man whose whole household feared God, gave relief, and prayed. While he was praying, he heard a voice inviting Peter to hear the word of God. Peter also sees a vision while praying, and soon meets those sent by Cornelius. Peter hears from them about the vision and comes with them to Cornelius' house in Caesarea. Cornelius waited for Peter, calling not only his family, but also his relatives and close friends, waiting for him.

『 And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 』 Cornelius was a godly man who believed in God, but he did not know the words of the Bible very well. So he earnestly longed to know the Word of God. It is because he firmly believed that the Word had the power to save people. He wanted to gather relatives and close friends and listen to the word of life together.

Cornelius wanted to quickly hear the Word of God, the Gospel. 『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. Peter was a man sent by God, and the word delivered through him was the word of God, and they decided to listen to Peter's sermons, and everyone sat waiting for him. It was through prayer that this happened. Both Cornelius and Peter could receive God's direction in prayer.

Cornelius, no matter how glad and grateful Peter came into his house, greeted him flatly at his feet. But Peter was very dry and told him to stand up, saying that he was a man. All the Jews, including Peter, are a people of Jewish traditions and customs very important. Gentiles are not treated as humans. They considered God's chosen people to be distinct from the world, and to associate with and close to the Gentiles was to break the law and to defile themselves.

『 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. 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? 』 Peter refused to do what God told him to eat and rejected the unclean things, but when he heard God's instructions and voice, he abandoned what he thought was right and obeyed. Through this obedience, the gospel was preached with power to the Gentiles and to those who loved God.

Cornelius lived a life of prayer and salvation. 『And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 』

It can be seen that Cornelius was not a relief that was formal or intended to reveal himself, but a relief from a heart of mercy and compassion toward those who were poor and needy. God was pleased with the relief of this heart, and through him, the door to the Gospel was opened to the Gentiles. While Peter was witnessing the word of God, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard: ``When Peter spoke these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all who hear the Word. It is the Holy Spirit. Both the preacher and the listener receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.