Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. [28-29] Peter complied with the Spirit by going to a Gentile’s house even though it was unlawful for a Jew (cf. Jn 4:9; 18:28; Ac 11:2–3; 22:21–22; Ga 2:12). The Spirit revealed to him not to call anything unclean, particularly Gentiles (Ac 10:19 cf. Ac 10:13, 15).

2. [30-32] Cornelius recounted what had divinely transpired for him and led him to converge with Peter. The “man” in shining garments is the angel in Ac 10:3, 7, 22.

3. Ultimately it was the Holy Spirit who directed this divine appointment between a Jewish apostle and a Gentile, between the gospel and a sinner.

B. The Spirit’s New Revelation (Ac 10:33-36)

1. [33] The purpose for the divine appointment was a divine message. Cornelius’ men said that Cornelius had a divine directive to hear Peter’s “message” (Ac 10:20, 22). Here Cornelius stated that they were all gathered to “hear all that [Peter had] been commanded by the Lord.” The message regarded salvation (cf. Ac 11:14). Being an apostle, much like the prophets, the Holy Spirit would move Peter to speak “from God” (2Pe 1:21). The beginning of the Spirit’s message consisted of:

a) God Shows No Partiality (34) - This was taught in the Scriptures (Dt 10:17; 2Ch 19:7; Job 34:19; Ro 2:11; 3:29, 30; Jm 2:1) and applied specifically to Gentiles in this case.

b) Every Nation is Welcome to God through Christ (35) - This does not refer to salvation by works. Rather it alludes to all who seek a relationship with God, no matter what ethnicity or culture, are “welcome” (dektos, Lk 4:24) through Christ.

c) Peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all (36) - Christ has provided peace with God (Ro 5:1) and peace for all those in Christ (Ep 2:14). For Christ is Lord is over all, both Jew and Gentiles.

C. The Spirit’s Divine Themes (Ac 10:37-43)

1. [Intro] - Peter’s sermon in one sense portrayed the life and ministry of Jesus as outlined in the Gospels. In addition, we have an outline of the basic elements of apostolic preaching and the common themes that run through them. Furthermore, we have the consistent apologetical arguments of the early church. Observe the following gospel and themes by the Spirit through Peter.

2. Observers of events in Judea (37)

a) Even though Peter was speaking to Gentiles, they knew of the events that had surrounded Jesus in Judea and Galilee.

b) The time of John the Baptist’s ministry was not only the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, but a qualification for the twelve apostles (Ac 1:21-22).

c) Many skeptics argue that the events surrounding Jesus are too antiquated to be believed. But Peter was first and foremost preaching to those who either had seen or heard about these events. They knew that the things about which Peter spoke were true. In the end they believed on Christ. Therefore, when we come to this account, we not only have the impeccable testimony of the Scriptures, but we also have the testimony of those who knew these events were true.

3. Jesus of Nazareth, Attested and Anointed by God (38)

a) Even the Gentiles knew that Jesus was “anointed” (chriō - touch with oil as a symbol of inauguration, especially of the Messiah, Is 61:1; Ac 4:27) with the Holy Spirit and performed miracles, healings, and exorcisms.

b) The conclusion that “God was with [Jesus]” (i.e. God’s spokesman) because of the attestation of the miracles, was the same for these Gentiles as it was for the Jews (Ac 2:22).

4. Disciples of Jesus (39a)

a) Peter certified to these Gentiles, that the disciples (apostles) were with Jesus and witnessed all of His teaching, miracles, and events in the “land of the Jews” and Jerusalem.

b) The Gentiles had to judge whether the apostles were liars, shysters, and fabricators or they were telling the truth. However, Peter had just performed a remarkable miracle in Joppa (Ac 9:40). In addition, they had Cornelius’ testimony that an angel had him send for Peter to hear his message.

5. The Death of Christ (39b)

a) Specifically the apostles witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross. That they witnessed more than a mere execution, is evidenced by the mention of Jesus’ resurrection (Ac 10:40) and the offer of “forgiveness of sins” (Ac 10:43).

b) The atoning death and resurrection of Christ is at the very heart of the apostles’ gospel and every major sermon in Acts, not to mention the OT and NT (cf. Ge 3:15; Is 53:5-6, 10; Lk 24:27; 1Co 15:3-4).

(1) Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:23-24, 36).

(2) Peter preaching at Solomon’s portico (Ac 3:15, 18).

(3) Peter’s defense before the Sanhedrin (Ac 4:10).

(4) Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin (Ac 7:52,56).

(5) Peter preaching to the Gentiles (Ac 10:39-40).

(6) Paul preaching in Synagogue at Antioch (Ac 13:28-30, 33, 34, 37).

(7) Paul preaching to Gentiles in Athens (Ac 17:31).

(8) Paul’s defense before Agrippa (Ac 26:23).

6. The Resurrection of Christ (40)

a) The overwhelming proof that Jesus was more than a man and more than an insurrectionist was that He was raised from the dead (Ac 17:31). The bodily resurrection (“became visible”) validated Christ’s atoning work on the cross (1Co 15:17) and that He was the Son of God (Ro 1:4) and Messiah.

b) The themes of the apostles’ preaching was called the Kerygma (kārugma - to preach or proclaim, and the message they preached, Ro 16:25; 1Co 1:21; 15:14; Tit 1:3). It means not only that they preached, but what they preached was their doctrine. Certainly their kerygma included more than the death and resurrection of Christ, but the death and resurrection was at the heart of it. Peter’s sermon in Ac 10:37-43 includes many of the main points of the apostle’s kerygma: 1. Jesus Attested by Miracles, 2. Apostles Attested by Miracles, 3. Christ’s Death on The Cross, 4. Christ’s Resurrection, 5. Apostles were Witnesses, 6. Apostles were Commissioned, 7. Christ Spoken of by Prophets & OT, 8. Christ Returns as Judge, 9. Repentance of Sin, 10. Faith in Christ, 11. Forgiveness of Sins, 12. Believer’s Baptism.

c) Furthermore, the apostles’ kerygma was preached to both Jew and Gentiles, both pious and pagan, both slave and free, both male and female.

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. The Scriptures, the message, the witnesses, the hearers, and the result are all sufficient and compelling reasons to place one’s faith in Christ. If someone rejects Christ, it is because that in their sinful unbelief they suppress the sufficient and compelling reasons to believe (Ro 1:18).

B. But for those who will listen, today’s believer has a blueprint for a basic defense and presentation of the gospel from the Holy Spirit through the apostles’ kerygma.

C. The message of the gospel is the same message to every group, addressing man’s ultimate problem of sin. The gospel assures us that the Judge had been judged on our behalf. The gospel is the basis for meeting all of man’s needs. It is the power of God unto salvation.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516