Day 315: Acts 10-12

(The previous post covered Stephen's stoning and Saul's/Paul's conversion.)

Acts 10
¹ Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
² a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

(This chapter introduced a man named Cornelius who was devout, feared God, gave much to the poor, and prayed to God always.)

³ He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

(Cornelius had an "open vision." This meant that his eyes were open during the vision.)

⁴ And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.

(God received the prayers and alms of Cornelius.)

⁵ And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:
⁶ he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side.

(The vision was an angel of God telling Cornelius to call for Peter.)

⁷ And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
⁸ and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

(Cornelius sent two of his servants and a soldier to Joppa to call for Peter.)

⁹ Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:
¹⁰ and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance;

(Peter fell into a trance.)

¹¹ and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth:

(While in this trance, Peter received a vision of a great sheet let down from heaven.)

¹² wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven.
¹³ And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

(The sheet contained animals that had been against the Law to eat. A voice told Peter to eat.)

¹⁴ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean.
¹⁵ And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

(The voice told Peter God had cleansed these "common and unclean" animals. This was the how/why behind the widening of Doctrine.)

¹⁶ And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.

(Peter received the same vision three times.)

¹⁷ Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate,

(While Peter was perplexed by the meaning of this vision, the three men from Cornelius came to his house.)

¹⁸ and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.
¹⁹ And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

(The Spirit told Peter about the three men who sought him.)

²⁰ But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them.

(The Spirit told Peter that He sent the men.)

²¹ And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

(Peter wanted to know why they had come.)

²² And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.
²³ So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
²⁴ And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends.
²⁵ And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
²⁶ But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

(Cornelius worshipped Peter but Peter told him to stand up because he also was just a man.)

²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together:
²⁸ and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:

(Doctrine: Peter gained understanding of the vision and realized God showed him that he should not call any man "common or unclean.")

²⁹ wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.
³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,
³¹ and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.
³³ Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord.

(Cornelius told Peter of his vision.)

(Verses 34-43: Peter's sermon to the Gentiles.)

³⁴ And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
³⁵ but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.

(Doctrine: Any man who fears God and "worketh righteousness" is acceptable to God.)

³⁶ The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) --
³⁷ that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
³⁸ even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.
⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,

(Peter preached the death and resurrection of Christ.)

⁴¹ not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
⁴² And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.
⁴³ To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.

(While Peter spoke these words the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard.)

⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(The believing Jews were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles.)

⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

(Doctrine: The proof these Gentile received the Holy Spirit was that they spoke in tongues.)

⁴⁷ Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

(Doctrine: It is possible to believe and be baptized of the Holy Spirit before being water baptized. Peter command them to be baptized in the Name of the Jesus Christ.)




Acts 11
¹ Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

(The Apostles and brethren (other believers) heard that the Gentiles received the Word of God.)

² And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
³ saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

(The believing Jews (including Apostles) contended with Peter for going with the Gentiles and eating with them. This was one of the themes of the Book of Acts: Doctrinal conflict among believers. Watch closely how this conflict was resolved.)

(Verses 4-10: Peter explained his vision.)

⁴ But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
⁵ I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:
⁶ upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
⁷ And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.
⁸ But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.
⁹ But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.
¹⁰ And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

(Peter shared his testimony of the vision he had including the how/why.)

(Verses 11-17: Peter's explanation of the events that happened after his vision.)

¹¹ And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.
¹² And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:
¹³ and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
¹⁴ who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
¹⁵ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

(Peter shared testimonies of signs and wonders for himself and Cornelius with confirmation in physical events. Peter quoted the Word: he remembered having been taught by Jesus about being baptized in the Holy Spirit.)

¹⁷ If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?

(Peter concluded with a contrastive question: If the Gentiles received the same gift from God that we received, who am I to fight with God?)

¹⁸ And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.

(The believing Jews acknowledged God had granted the Gentiles repentance unto life because of Peter's presentation which include testimony of signs and wonders, confirmation in physical events, and Doctrine taught by Jesus.)

¹⁹ They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

(Those that were evangelizing abroad ever since the martyring of Stephen had only been speaking to Jews. However, some also evangelized to Greeks. This showed confirmation of Peter's widening of Doctrine: People from many different nations were also being evangelized at this same time.)

²² And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:
²³ who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
²⁴ for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

(Barnabas confirmed the physical manifestations and encouraged them to continue evangelizing to Gentiles. Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit.)

²⁵ And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

(Barnabas sought out Saul/Paul.)

²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

(Barnabas and Saul taught the church in Antioch for a whole year. The Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Notice, the Disciples did not declare themselves as "Christians," the people of Antioch did, possibly by unbelievers. Notice, Saul, who was the believer most educated in the Law was called to teach the Gentiles, not the Jews.)

²⁷ Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
²⁸ And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.
²⁹ And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:
³⁰ which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

(Doctrine: Prophets and prophecy concerning natural events were respected and responded to after the resurrection of Jesus.)




Acts 12
¹ Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.
² And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
³ And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.

(Herod killed James the Greater and when he saw that it pleased the Jews he also sought to kill Peter. Herod must have been feeling threatened by these men and the church.)

⁴ And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
⁵ Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.

(Herod put Peter in prison, but prayer was made for Peter.)

⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison.

(Peter slept between two soldiers. Peter was in prison, awaiting his execution, and he was fast asleep! Peter had completely surrendered his will to God.)

⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

(An angel came in and a light shined in the prison. The angel struck Peter's side, raised him up, and Peter's chains fell off: supernatural event.)

⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
⁹ And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

(Peter followed the angel out of the prison. Peter thought that this was only a vision.

Doctrine: Visions look as real as the physical world.)

¹⁰ And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him.

(Once Peter was in the city, the angel left him.)

¹¹ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

(Peter was convinced this was God once he realized this was reality, not a vision.)

¹² And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.

(Peter went to Mary, John-Mark's mother's house. These people were praying for Peter when he arrived.)

¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda.

(Peter knocked on the door and Rhoda came to answer it.)

¹⁴ And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate.

(She was so excited to hear Peter's voice that she did not open the gate but ran back to tell how Peter stood there.)

¹⁵ And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.

(A common belief that answers the question of their confusion was that a person's angel looks and sounds like the person. The people told Rhoda she was mad or that she must be seeing Peter’s angel, even though these people were praying for Peter's release.)

¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.

(Peter continued to knock and when the gate was opened they were all astonished.)

¹⁷ But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.

(Peter told them of the escape and then told them to tell James the Lesser about the events.)

¹⁸ Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
¹⁹ And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there.
²⁰ Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king's country.
²¹ And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them.
²² And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
²³ And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

(Herod was given a supernatural sign when Peter was gone and he (and everyone else) could not explain how this happened. Instead of recognizing he was not all-knowing, he received worship in the place of God, and was struck by an angel of God because he did not give God the glory.)

²⁴ But the word of God grew and multiplied.

(The word of God continued to be preached to more and more people, and the number of believers multiplied.)

²⁵ And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

(Even though Peter appeared to John-Mark, Saul and Barnabas took John-Mark (who was said to have been Barnabas' nephew) with them. John-Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark.)

(This post covered Peter's vision concerning God making all food clean and the Disciples resolution of this new Doctrine. Also, James the Greater was martyred by Herod and Peter was imprisoned. Angels released Peter.)

Day 316