A Church without Walls Acts 10

A Church without Walls

Acts 10 (Read 10:1-15; 34-48)

Introduction: Today after the morning service we’ll be gathering out front for an all church photo – the building will be in the background but that is not the church. The church is the people (so we need you there, please plan to stay!). The word “church” is actually used a couple of different ways in the Bible, but it always refers to people, not bricks and mortar. The local “church” is the people, the born again followers of Jesus, who are united in a local congregation for worship and ministry. The church universal, by definition and design, is diverse, and will include a remnant from every race, tribe, and nation.  As we’ve seen in the book of Acts, it didn’t start that way. The first believers were all ethnic Jews who had come to Jerusalem for the pilgrim feast of Pentecost. It took a while for the church to begin reaching outward with the gospel. Persecution after Stephen’s death was one motivator. And when Philip went down to Samaria and the Samaritans believed, Peter and John came to lay hands on them, confirming the unity of the church. There would not be a Jewish church and a Samaritan church, but a single church, united through faith in Christ. The Lord was showing that the apostles had a foundational role-Jesus was the cornerstone-and the apostles, as His authorized representatives, would bring the Word of Christ to the world (Ephesians 2:20; 3:5).   Now things would move a step further, and the gentiles also would be grafted in.

Context: Peter’s Geographical movement away from Jerusalem, and his residence with Simon, a tanner, someone who worked with the skins of dead animals and so may have been considered “unclean,” were preparation for another step outward in God’s mission. The miracles God did at his hands affirmed his apostolic authority, and the Lord would speak to him so that he could speak to those present in the house of Cornelius, a gentile “god-fearer,” and then report back to the other leaders in Jerusalem (first in chapter 11 and then again at the Jerusalem Council in chapter 15 when the church addresses the question of what should be required of non-Jews who believe in Messiah Jesus).

The Big Idea: God’s plan is for a diverse people to be gathered in one body through faith in Christ. Are we willing to speak up without prejudice and point people to Jesus?

I. Our Sovereign God prepares those who will believe (1-8).

            The passage opens with a description of Cornelius, and it is clear that God had been working in his heart for some time. We get some information about this man that is a study in contrast. On the one hand he is a centurion, someone in charge of a hundred men in the occupying Roman army. In that sense he is not someone you would necessarily expect to be sympathetic to the faith of the Jews. We are not told how or when, but somehow this man had heard about God and was drawn to the Truth.  He believed the Scriptures of the Jews were a true revelation of the story of the one true God. He reverenced that God, and prayed to him, and gave generously to the poor in his name.

            He is described as a “devout man who feared God…” The context of Acts will make clear that he was not a proselyte, a convert to Judaism, but a “God-fearer,” that is, a gentile who believed in and placed his hope and trust in the God of Israel, without becoming a full convert to Judaism. He wouldn’t have taken the step of circumcision which was required of all Hebrew males. He is described as a “God-fearer.” We are not talking about someone who is afraid of God. “Fear” for the believer is reverence, an overwhelming respect for the awesome Creator of the universe. It’s what Proverbs 1:7 is talking about, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and fools despise wisdom and instruction…”  Notice that it wasn’t only Cornelius, but his entire “house” had reverence for the God who is (v.2).  “God-fearer” had become a semi-technical term and they were gentiles who typically became associated with a synagogue where they heard the Scriptures read and at some level had embraced the monotheism of the Jews.  Cornelius was such a one, and he was also generous and was given to persistent prayer, he “prayed always.”

By the way, in this transitional period that the Book of Acts is describing, Jews and Gentiles like Cornelius, men and women who revered and hoped in the God of the Bible, were “ripe fruit,” prepared to hear and respond to the message that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  They had responded to the “light” they had, the Old Testament Scriptures, but now they were awaiting the full revelation of the Gospel of Christ.  One objection that people sometimes raise to the Christian message is “If Jesus is the only way, what about those who have never heard?” This is a good illustration of the fact that God is not sending someone to hell for not believing in a Jesus of whom they have never heard. They will be judged for rejecting the light that they have – in creation (Romans 1:18-21), in the conscience (Romans 2:14ff), in Scripture (Romans 3:10-19).  If their hearts are opened to respond to the Light, God, the sovereign, omniscient and omnipotent Lord of the universe, will find a way for the gospel to get to them.  We have stories of missionaries coming to tribal groups that had never heard the gospel turning in faith to Jesus as soon as they hear the message.  God prepares the hearts of those who will come to him in faith. And so Jesus could say in John 10:26,27, “…you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.  ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  We see Cornelius, hearing the words from the Angel of the Lord, and believing.

N.B. again that the angel didn’t simply spell out the good news that God so loved us that he sent the Son to die for our sins, and that he defeated death in the resurrection. Rather he tells him to send for Peter. Why? Well, because God said so! That’s God’s plan: to work through humans to bring the message of His grace to humans!  God was preparing the heart of Cornelius, and he would use Peter to preach the Word.   God was working in the life of Cornelius, preparing him to hear and respond to the gospel message. He continues to prepare those who will believe, and believe they will. God’s plan is for a diverse people to be gathered in one body through faith in Christ. Are we willing to be His messengers, to speak up without prejudice and point people to Jesus?

II. Our Sovereign God positions those who are His in mission (9-23a).

            Peter was in Joppa, just thirty or thirty five miles down the coast from Caesarea.  The angel gave precise information about Peter, and about where He was staying. At the same time He was preparing Peter for what would come next.  Notice again Peter needs to learn to interpret and apply the revelation that he receives.  Could the Lord have simply spoken from heaven and said, ok, you know that ham and cheese sandwich, and that bacon cheeseburger you always wanted to try?  The pepperoni pizza? The seafood chowder (now your talking!)?  It’s all good!  He could have gone further and said, the message of Jesus is for everyone, not only your fellow Jews!  Instead he gave the vision, repeated three times, of the sheet descending from heaven and the voice saying, “take, eat.”  Initially Peter objected, but then he began considering the implications of what he saw and heard.  Peter realized that there was more than “diet” at stake.  Notice the timing of the divine appointment that follows in Acts 10:17-20,

¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.  ¹⁸ And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.  ¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.  ²⁰ "Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

God was preparing Peter for a paradigm shift. He was dealing with relatively easy things, like food, to open his heart and mind to a bigger change concerning people.  It would not only be a message to the Jews that the Messiah, Son of God, is Jesus, but the news of the Savior would be extended to the nations.

        God had Peter exactly where he wanted him, and he was preparing him for the next stage of the ministry in which he was to be engaged. By using Peter, a leader of leaders from among the twelve, the one Jesus called a “rock,” He assured that there would be one church, a united church, under the authority of the apostles.  He was preparing Peter to lead and to be a witness, and He continues to prepare those who are sent (that’s us!).  God’s plan is for a diverse people to be gathered in one body through faith in Christ. Are we willing to speak up without prejudice and point people to Jesus?

III. Our Sovereign God works through the message preached to save those who believe (23b-48).  Notice the process that God uses: testimony and witness leads to preaching the gospel, which leads to faith, and the gift of the Spirit.

-       First we see Explanation: Testifying to what God is doing (23-33). Peter received the men, and heard what they had to say: an angel had appeared to Cornelius and told him to send for Peter. Because of the message Peter had received, he was prepared to go with them.  It was one thing to receive these men and let them stay the night, another to go with them, a day’s journey, to the home of their master, a gentile. One thing I see here is humility and teachability, recognizing that God is working in others as well as us, leading and preparing. When he gets there the next day, Peter explains what God had taught him, and he asks Cornelius why he had sent for him (v.29).  He is anxious to hear what God was saying to Cornelius, perhaps to discern where to start in sharing Christ.  We can be encouraged by hearing testimonies of what God is doing. In our small groups and in one-on-one discipleship situations we learn together, we learn from each other. The bottom line for Cornelius is that he and his household are present and ready, waiting to hear the truth.

“Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all the things commanded you by God” (v.33).

What a great attitude as we come to hear the Word! We need to be discerning, like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), examining what we hear in the light of the Scriptures. But we need to be hungry and open, and teachable.  Do we come together, in our small groups, in Sunday School, in this morning worship service, expecting to meet with God and hear from Him? Warren Wiersbe used to say, “Attitude determines outcome!” There is truth in that when we hear the Word.

-       Next we see Proclamation of the Gospel: A Christ Centered message for all: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (34-43). The message Peter shares points away from himself, and lifts up Jesus. Cornelius had been wrong to bow down to Peter and was immediately corrected. We should not exalt humans unduly. We should love one another, and respect those in authority, but it can become idolatry if the pastor becomes a “star” around which the church circles. In the church at Corinth that became a problem, some saying “I’m of Peter” or “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos.”  They were proud and divisive instead of being humble, and united in their faith in Christ.  Sometimes churches can be built around a human leader, his personality and attractiveness draw a crowd.  Human leaders can be a blessing to us, but they are pilgrims just like us, and they are fallible. People will inevitably let us down at one time or another.  The writer to the Hebrews says, “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb 12:1,2).  He will never fail us, and He is the Good Shepherd, our Master, our King.

       V.34 says “Peter opened his mouth and said…” That is a formula that is used to introduce a weighty, important teaching. As a rabbi instructing his students or a prophet bring a word from the Lord, Peter is about to bring a word from the Lord.   A key realization that had come to Peter at this point in the story sets the stage for what happens. We read in Acts 10:34,35,

“So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,  ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’”

He is not going to hold back the message of life from these gentiles, God had taught Peter, and now Peter will preach Jesus. He is “Lord of all,” by his death and resurrection He has made possible forgiveness, and v.43, "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." It is through faith that the work is Christ is personally appropriated.

-       Vindication:  One Spirit, One Faith, One Baptism (44-48). Notice v.44, “While Peter was yet speaking the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard…” There was nothing that Cornelius and his family did, they heard, believed, and received the Word of God as it was preached. And as confirmation of their new faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit fell on those present, just as it had on the Jews who believed on the day of Pentecost. NB. this is only the second time speaking in tongues is mentioned in Acts. Chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, and here, as Peter is preaching in the house of Cornelius. I think it probably happened in Acts 8 as Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans (how else would they know that they had received the Holy Spirit with the laying on of hands?) but the Bible doesn’t say so we can’t know for sure. But here it is explicitly stated, this time with no laying on of hands, simply hearing and believing the message, and Peter sees the connection with Pentecost. On Pentecost it was a sign that the New Age, the age of Messiah, had arrived. Now the ripples of Pentecost have moved outward to the Samaritans (8) and the gentiles (10).  It is a confirmation, a vindication of the truth that God is not a respecter of persons, that he accepts all humans on the same basis, by grace, through faith.

What is God saying to me in this passage? God continues to prepare those who will believe and those who will go. And God’s plan is for a diverse people to be gathered in one body through faith in Christ. Are we willing to speak up without prejudice and point people to Jesus?

What would God have me to do in response to this passage? Are you sensitized to the truth that God is working in you, teaching you, preparing you for your ongoing part in His mission?  Your story is a part of His story because of His amazing grace!  Are you doing your best to maintain a “teachable spirit,” or are you pretty sure you’ve got it all figured out?  I’m a little slow, after 35 years in the faith I’m still learning how much I don’t know! We need to be constantly asking God how we can most effectively be available to Him as He carries out His mission – are we willing to sacrifice our comfort, even our security, as we respond to Him? There are some around us, in our sphere of influence, whom God is convicting, and drawing, preparing to hear the truth and trust in Jesus. We need to be alert, vigilant, looking for every opportunity to lift up His name and to point others to Him as the the Way, the Truth, and the Life.    Think about that.         AMEN.