DIGGING DEEP NO 1061  – December 3, 2024                              The Conversion of Cornelius                                               Acts 10:1-48

Up to this point, the gospel had been somewhat limited in its outreach. It had spread throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria Acts 9:31 Other than Samaritans who were half-Jewish, it had gone only to the Jews. With the conversion Of Cornelius, the first Gentile was saved. A conversion was noted not only because he was the first Gentile but also for the miraculous events that accompanied his conversion. As with Saul of Tarsus, we have more than just one account of his conversion. There is Luke’s description, given as it occurred Acts 10:1-48 There is Peter’s description, when he is called to defend his actions Acts 11:1-18 In this study, we will focus our attention on Luke’s description of the events as they occurred.

Luke’s Account of this conversion

Cornelius had a vision. Cornelius, a centurion, was a very religious man  Acts 10:1-2 The angel appeared to him with an announcement that his prayers and alms had been noticed by God and instructed to send for Peter: “He will tell you what you must do.” Acts 10:3-6 Cornelius then sends two servants and a devout soldier to Peter Acts 10:7-8

Peter had a vision. The next day, praying, hungry, Peter has a vision Acts 10:9-15 A sheet descends from heaven, containing all sorts of creatures. A voice tells Peter to “kill and eat”. Peter objects for he has never eaten anything common or unclean. The voice tells him, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” The vision was repeated three times Acts 10:16

The Spirit instructed Peter. The men from Cornelius arrived as Peter contemplates the vision Acts 10:17-18. The Spirit tells Peter to go, doubting nothing, for He has sent them Acts 10:19-20 Peter received the men and takes brethren with him as they go to Cornelius Acts 10:21-23

Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house. Cornelius had gathered his family and close friends Acts 10:24 Peter deflected an attempt by Cornelius to worship him Acts 10:25-26 Peter explained his presence is a violation of Jewish custom, but now understands “I should not call any man common or unclean” Acts 10:27-28

To explain why Peter was called, Cornelius recounted the appearance and instructions of the angel Acts 10:29-32 Cornelius and household were ready to hear all things commanded you by God Acts 10:33

Peter’s sermon to the household of Cornelius. He began with a full perception that God shows no partiality Acts 10:34-35 A perception started with the vision of the sheet and unclean beasts. A perception continued with the Spirit’s instruction to go with the messengers. Peter then proceeds to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord who was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, who was killed, but then raised from the dead and seen by eyewitnesses who knew Him well, who has commanded the Apostles to proclaim Him as ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and dead and through Whom remission of sins is offered to those who believe Acts 10:36-43

The Spirit fell on all who heard while Peter was still speaking astonishing those of the circumcision (Jewish Christians who had come with Peter) because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on Gentiles also empowering them to speak with tongues and praise God Acts 10:44-46

Peter commands them to be baptized. How could anyone forbid water to those who had received the Spirit just as the apostles did? Acts 10:47; cf. Acts 2:1-4 So Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord Acts 10:48; cf. Ac 2:38 The events surrounding this conversion were certainly remarkable. They evidently were intended to convey important truths. As we endeavor to glean what those truths were, here are a couple of observations regarding this conversion. 1–Religious people need saving. Many people believe that if you are religious, you will be saved, that if you go to church, do good, etc., you have a hope of heaven. That you will have earned the right to enter heaven. Yet, though Cornelius was a devout man and feared God with his whole family Acts 10:2 Gave alms generously, and prayed to God always, still needed to be told words by which he and all your household will be saved Acts 11:14 Clearly, being religious alone isn’t what saves you. Most examples of conversion in Acts involved religious people. It is the blood of Christ that saves Ephesians 1:7

2-The Gospel is for all Nations. Peter perceived that God is no respecter of persons Acts 10:34-35 Indeed, God desires that ALL men be saved John 3:16; 1Timothy 2:3-6; 2Peter 3:9 Therefore He has not predestined some to be saved and others to be lost. 3- The Gospel culminates in Baptism. It begins with the need to believe in Jesus Acts 10:42-43 It ends with immersion in water Acts 10:47-48;Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; 22:16

CONCLUSION

While miraculous events surrounded the Conversion of Cornelius, his salvation was no different from what we have already seen. He had to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was taught to believe and commanded to be baptized. As Peter would later say, it is “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” that both Gentiles and Jews were saved Acts 15:11We are saved by grace, not works Ephesians 2:5,8; Titus 3:4-5 It is not enough to be religious. Who could be more religious than Cornelius? or the 3000 at Pentecost, the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, Lydia of Thyatira? The grace of God which saves does require a response.

A response of faith Acts 10:43 Faith in Jesus that comes by hearing the gospel Acts 10:42 Faith which expresses itself in obedience. Particularly, repentance and baptism. Those of us who are not descended from Israel can rejoice in what God revealed with The Conversion of Cornelius. As properly concluded later by Jewish brethren in Jerusalem: “God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Acts 11:18

We need to take advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ in faith, repentance, and baptism.