NT: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10

The Acts of the Apostles 10:1-48

10:1-2 We are introduced to Cornelius who is a devout man, a kind and generous man. Cornelius' entire house is filled with faithful, compassionate people; he communicates with God regularly and because he has much, he gives much to those in need.

What does it mean to "have much?" Well, there are more ways to contribute to someone's well-being than just money. Being generous with people means to give them something you have, and we each have many and unique things to give: our patience, our friendship, our forgiveness, our kindness, our support, our example, our time, our effort, our smile, our experience, our knowledge, our empathy, our acknowledgement, our concern, our prayers, our thoughts... there is an endless supply inside of you.

We all "have much" of different things. Even when we are unable to provide or support someone monetarily, our spirits have so much to give to others. God has given much to all of us, and endless capacity for love and compassion and He expects us to express that love and compassion. Recall Luke 12:48 "...For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." This verse applies physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are meant to give; we are vessels through which compassionate flows and so much compassion is needed by humanity and the earth.

10:3 It's 3:00 in the afternoon and Cornelius has a vision of an angel of God calling his attention. God still works with and through us, His children. He now reaches us in more subtle ways but He can only reach out to you if you recognize Him and if you are informed of His mission. Cornelius knows Him well and is informed of God's compassionate purpose for humanity, that qualifies Cornelius to participate in it.

10:4 Cornelius observed the angel and was amazed. Whenever anyone encounters or is approached by the spirit of God or His angels, they are stunned. They are stunned because we become so accustomed to our life here on earth that we forget or cannot visualize that life extends beyond what we are used to. Cornelius' reaction expresses to us how extraordinary the spiritual is. 

The angel informs Cornelius that his prayers and his compassionate nature has not only been reviewed by God, but has also moved God to entrust Cornelius with a mission.

10:5 The angel gives Cornelius the details of the mission: send for Simon Peter (who we are familiar with). I think it's especially kind and generous of God to work with and through us, His children. Rather than loom over everything and everyone with disinterested authority, God entrusts us to accomplish beautiful things with our own minds and hands. He entrusts us to deliver and delight in bringing comfort to others.

10:6 God is precise; the angel delivers a detailed message to Cornelius. Observe how informed God is, He knows where everyone is, when they are there... why they are there, who they are with... He's focused and He's alert in your life and He wants you to join Him. Be focused, be alert, be informed.

10:7-8 As he was led to do, Cornelius does. Cornelius sends a trusted man to call for Simon Peter. Realize that only God's faithful children are contributing to this mission. God knows that He can trust them; He does not delegate outside of the family.

10:9 Meanwhile, Peter is on his way to pray. Remember that Peter has been traveling and preaching and remember also that Peter is devout, has been personally taught by Jesus Himself. Peter is in constant communication with God who has given Peter so much in order that Peter be able to give back so much. Peter is as devoted as he always has been, perhaps more each day and has never let the gifts God has given him make him arrogant or forget where they came from.

10:10 Without yet realizing, Peter begins a lesson given by God specifically to him. Suddenly he's extremely hungry but before he could eat, he fell into a vision.

10:11 Immediately it's apparent that it is God who has something to say to Peter. A message sent directly from heaven (for lack of a better, more spiritually-descriptive word).

10:12 Inside the object Peter is observing in the vision are animals, insects and birds.

10:13 Still within the vision, Peter is give metaphorical instruction to feed himself with the animals in the object (remember that he had suddenly become ravenously hungry). 

10:14 Peter refuses his refusal refers to a health law in Leviticus 11:4. Peter believes the animals are unclean and that he therefore should not associate with them. When Peter uses this word "common" he means something that is profane or unclean.

10:15 Here is the lesson (which fill be further explained in following verses: What God has cleansed you must not call common (or unclean). God has a message for Peter and it begins deep in metaphor.

10:16 When Jesus (and God) explains something to Peter, they express it, reiterate it three times. Remember in John 21, Peter needs the reiteration to understand the depth of the message. The reiteration emphasizes how passionate God is about the message and how imperative it is that Peter understands and absorbs it (in order to do the work perfectly).

10:17-18 Peter has not yet interpreted the message and therefore we will wait until Peter figures it out to examine it. The men sent by Cornelius who was sent by God reach Peter.

10:19 Deep in contemplation, God nudges Peter to answer the door, that he is being sought after by three men.

10:20 Peter must employ his trust in God (we must always employ our trust in God). God encourages Peter to accept the lesson God is about to deliver Him. We can deduce that God knows Peter will have a somewhat difficult time accepting what God has to teach him by his reaction to the vision and also by God's continual prodding.

10:21-22 The men deliver the message perfectly and fully inform Peter of the situation. Peter knows that he can trust their message because God foretold him of it.

10:23 Peter agrees to travel with them, invites them to rest for the night (to ensure a safe and efficient journey), and in the morning, they begin the journey back to Cornelius.

10:24 Anticipating Peter, a bold and prominent man of God, Cornelius plans to receive him well. Cornelius, his family and his acquaintances (all faithful children of God) are thrilled to have Peter with them; they've heard of all the preaching and healing and leading he has done and they respect him very much.

10:25 Peter's humility: When Cornelius and Peter meet, Cornelius' reaction is to worship Peter. Remember that God has filled Peter with amazing gifts of healing and therefore, people frequently bow to him, believing Peter himself to be a divine being. Peter quickly corrects this misunderstanding.

10:26 "I am also a man." I am also a human. Peter's humility and recognition of God is especially apparent. None of his gifts have gone to his head. Peter knows that without God, nothing he has accomplished would have been possible. Peter does not revere God our of fear but out of love and awe. Peter is especially aware of the brilliant ways his life changed since Jesus entered it and he will never forget.

Similar scenarios have occurred where, when encountered by angels or devout children of God, people (and disciples) have reacted by worshiping them. Children of God are always quick to correct them; they are humble and quite aware of Who all life and miracle comes from (they know without a doubt it isn't from themselves).

10:27 Peter begins to join and converse with the whole assembly of them... an assembly of people we learn in the next verse, Peter would not have been keen to associate with without God's correction. 

10:28 We've spoken of this before (and recently with our study of Saul): God chooses people are lost or confused and He works with them to align them with truth and compassion. He heals the sick. Peter has bias against these people and he required teaching and prodding from God to get over his intolerant judgement of these, clearly, good people.

In the vision of the animals, God metaphorically taught Peter that whatever and whomever God has created and loved is worthy of receiving His love and compassion and the attention of His disciples. If God says something or somebody is worthy, then that something and somebody is worthy.

10:29 God taught Peter that he must not object to associating with all of his children and Peter learned and absorbed the instruction.  Peter welcomed these people as worthy equals. Similarly we must accept all people as equals, regardless of how different in culture they are from us. God's heart is open to all people and our hearts but be open, too.

10:30-33 Cornelius explains to Peter his side of the vision and instruction from God. He explains to Peter that now that they are together as God requested, their joint-instruction would come from God.

10:34-35 Here is a lesson that is much needed in the world and has always been needed in among humanity. It is the truth and we must perceive this truth: God shows no partiality. Whoever loves Him (remember the translation of the word "fear" is "phobos" meaning reverence) and loves others and works for their well-being is accepted by God (and therefore is worthy of our acceptance).

10:36 Peter begins to speak with the people of this place and therefore God's message reaches a new region of the world. God continues to burst through barriers (in this case, Peter's intolerance) in order to reach as many children as He can.

10:23-41 Peter begins his personal testimony of being a student of Jesus and witnessing His life and earthly death, as well as His return to the earth in spirit.

10:42 Peter explains that it has become his purpose to speak of the things he witnessed and was taught.

10:43 Disciples of God, children of God, fellow-workers of God are meant, it is their (our) purpose, to teach to all people that God loves all people without partiality. Whoever listens and absorbs God's philosophy is welcome to all of His guidance and love. He helps us to disentangle ourselves from our mistakes, adversity, fears and tribulations.

We so often hear of "our sins" but our only sin is this: selfishness. God forgives us for living selfishly and He teaches us how to live compassionately for others. He does not condemn us for our mistakes, He leads us out of them. He forgives us for being neglectful or unkind to others and He leads us to be and do better. He gives us purpose and it fills us like a brilliant light and nourishment.

10:44-45 To emphasize the truth of Peter's testimony, God fills everyone with His love and comfort. It's an indescribable feeling and maybe, prayerfully, you've felt it before. It is a strong, tangible sense that you are deeply loved and protected. It is a strong, tangible sense that your path is directed and promised to be filled with freedom and purpose and abundant joy. God's spiritual presence enhances our perception and allows us to see, interpret and trust the meaningful purpose of our lives as well as God's gratitude toward us for accepting and performing it.

The most important lesson of the particular chapter: God's spirit is proffered to all people.

10:46 Peter's testimony is strong. It's been effective in all other regions and this is no exception. Never doubt that your experiences, your thoughts, your compassion is able to inspire people. Like Peter, God will bestow gifts on you that you will be able to reach many. When you're ready to work (promote, defend and create compassion among humanity) God equips you with the tools to do so, effectively and efficiently.

10:47-48 Here is a reiteration of God message: it is nobody's right to forbid another person from something. God gives equally and abundantly to all people without partiality. Although different in culture, these people are just as worthy of God's love and His message. They are just as worthy of purposes and gifts from Him. Therefore, all who listened, absorbed and believed were worthy of being baptized, welcomed into the family.