Luke/Acts for Beginners

Cornelius was a seeker. He sought a relationship with God as evidenced by his praying and charitable deeds among the Jews, he could be described as the fertile ground Jesus spoke of in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-8). Cornelius had the wherewithal and influence to help the gospel continue to be spread. As a Roman centurion, Cornelius had great influence in the community among both believers and non-believers.

God uses individuals that the He chooses. We tend to think that a person will not likely respond to God's invitation, so we avoid teaching them the gospel. It may well be that the Holy Spirit is bringing the seeker and teacher together as He did with Cornelius and Peter. The spirit continues to work in this way today.

Peter's vision and God's words to him clearly show that the time had come to teach the gospel to all the world. In the early Christian's view, they were still Jews and "all the earth" simply applied to Jews who lived everywhere on the earth. Furthermore, it was our Lord telling Peter that the restrictive laws concerning diet, special days and associations were coming to an end. Even with Paul's conversion and Jesus' statement to Ananias that Paul would be the messenger to gentiles, it was still a long time before this was accepted. Peter would struggle with that himself for a time (Galatians 2:11-21). Later, this issue would impact greatly on the Christian Community and lead to the Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts 15.

Because Peter obeyed our Lord's charge, today everyone has the opportunity to be saved.

When they first met, Peter stated that he was just a man and for Cornelius not to give him special honors. Both men clearly demonstrated the humble spirit that our Lord treasures. Even though Peter had a special charge to go to Cornelius, he was just the messenger. He rightfully gave God the glory and claimed none for himself. When we teach others, we must remember that it is the message that is important and not the messenger. We should always shift the focus from ourselves to the Lord.

Note also that Cornelius brought together all his entire household to hear Peter. Again, we can learn from this that even though it is important for each of us individually to respond to the gospel, we also have a responsibility to others, especially to our family and friends. It might be difficult to teach them, but we must make the effort. One can also learn that we might not know all we need to know to teach others, but we can bring others to someone who can teach them if we cannot.

The response was that Cornelius and his household obeyed the gospel and were baptized. We too must make that same decision when we hear the gospel. If we have obeyed, then we strive to remain faithful as disciples.

Of note is the gifting from the Holy Spirit on the gentiles to enable them to speak in tongues just as had occurred on the Day of Pentecost. This was done to convince them, and Peter that this event was sanctioned by God. This would also be important when Peter reported to the apostles and brethren in Jerusalem, and later during the Jerusalem Council.

God made the promise of a savior to Abram (later Abraham) in Genesis 12:1-2. All through history God had recognized and specially blessed the faithful Jews. It is logical that they would feel that before one could become a follower of Jesus, he or she must become a Jew. For males, this would mean circumcision. For all, it would mean observing all the Jewish customs and the Law.

As Peter learned during this event, and as he communicated to the brethren in Jerusalem, this was not God's will. Further, when Peter explained to them all that had happened they fell silent and glorified God. Luke concludes this narrative with the statement, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18).

We clearly see here that the Church spreading throughout the "ends of the earth" as Jesus directed. This expansion began with the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem and elsewhere. This event was part of the transition from Peter's ministry to Paul's. Antioch would eventually become the unofficial headquarters of Paul's ministry.

This Church was influential in spreading the gospel in the first century. Their ministry included preaching and teaching the gospel along with fellowship and charity. This is consistent with the immediate actions of the original Church following Pentecost Sunday.

As God's messengers of the gospel who strive to live faithful lives, we will most certainly face opposition. Peter experienced extreme opposition to his ministry efforts yet never waivered in his faith. We learn that we too will face opposition but can and must remain faithful. God will deliver us in the end, perhaps not in physical ways in this life, but certainly when He returns to initiate the next life.

Of note is that Luke uses this as a transition from Peter's ministry to Paul's. Luke concludes this event in verse 17 by stating, "Then he departed and went to another place." This is the last major focus on Peter. Luke then shifts to Barnabas and Saul in verse 25.

The intent of this question is to gain a commitment from students to be messengers of the gospel to all.

We must recognize that the gospel is indeed open to everyone. We must also recognize that God has specifically charged us with taking the gospel to all. Clearly, God could send angels or special individuals, or even Himself to convert but He chooses to give us that opportunity and responsibility. It is also another way to build our faith and see God's power at work.