Bible Study series: Acts 10:1-8. This is the opening scene of a global change on who can be saved. It is an amazing story we are about to read.
Friendly greetings and a warm welcome to this Bible study! I write to learn. Let’s learn together and apply these truths to our lives.
I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click on this link:
At the link to the original post, next, I write more commentary and dig a little deeper into the Greek. I also offer a section titled Observations for Discipleship at the end. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Acts 10:1-8
1 Now, in Caesarea, a certain man named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian regiment, 2 devout and God-fearing, along with his household, practiced many acts of generosity for the people and prayed to God continuously. 3 About three in the afternoon, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God, coming towards him and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And fixing his attention on him and trembling, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and acts of generosity have gone up as a memorial, right in front of God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and summon a certain Simon, nicknamed Peter. 6 He is being hosted by Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who had been speaking to him departed, he called two servants and a devout soldier from among those were served him; 8 after he explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. (Acts 10:1-8)
Comments:
Luke repeats this episode about Cornelius and God’s acceptance of Gentiles three times (Acts 10:1-48, 11:4-17; 15:7-9). Paul’s conversion is also repeated three times. He is initially converted, and the Lord tells Ananias, the disciple who prayed for him, that Paul will be sent to the Gentiles (9:1-19, see especially v. 15). Paul repeats this testimony to a crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3-16) and before king Agrippa (26:9-18). Further, the entire narrative that goes from 10:1 to 11:18 is the longest one of a single piece in Acts. Clearly Luke intends his Gentile readers of Acts to understand that God accepts them. Jewish followers of Jesus must also realize the same thing.
Bock places this event before A.D 41 (comment on vv. 1-2).
1:
Cornelius was a common Roman name. He was a member of the occupying force, the oppressors. It was very risky for Peter to go into his house and eat with him. He will have to answer to a committee of powerful Messianic Jews who were headquartered in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18).
However, centurions are a cross between an Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and a captain of one hundred men, in a cohort of about 600 members (thus commanding one-sixth of a cohort), which was part of a legion of 6000 men (Bock, comment on vv. 1-2). Centurions seem to have special place in the Gospels and here (Matt. 8:5-13 // Luke 7:2-10). Jesus commended one for having great faith. He told Jesus that the Lord did not have to come to his house to heal a servant. He is in charge of men, and when he orders them what to do, they obey. Diseases are subject to Jesus’s commands, too. He just speaks the word, and the disease will leave. Wow! No wonder Jesus commended his faith. Most times the centurion’s faith is greater than mine. I pray God give me the grace to have an equal amount. Bruce quotes ancient historian Polybius: “Centurions are required not to be bold and adventurous so much as good leaders, of steady and prudent mind, not prone to take offensive or start fighting wantonly, but able when overwhelmed and hard-pressed to stand fast and die at their post” (comment on v. 1, Polybius, History, 6.24).
I have watched historical youtube videos about how important and courageous centurions were. I encourage you to watch them too!
2:
“devout and God-fearing”: Gentiles sometimes attached themselves to Judaism without going through circumcision. They must have liked the devotion, the monotheism, and the ethics.
Never doubt that acts of generosity and prayers catch God’s attention, even if the people doing them don’t follow Jesus. For more discussion, see v. 35 and the link. Bock calls Cornelius a “prayer-warrior” (p. 386). Insightful. I wish I had thought of the accurate label. Keener says that Peter is following Jesus’s model of private prayer (Luke 4:42; 6:12; 9:28; 22:41) (p. 299). I say we need to follow Jesus and become regular prayer warriors.
Cornelius is a clear example of Rom. 2:6-11:
6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. (Rom. 2:6-11, NIV)
“household”: Acts is about salvation of entire households and meeting in those saved households (2:2, 46; 5:42; 8:3 [but be careful of persecution!] 10:2; 11:14; 16:15, 31, 34; 20:20; 21:8).
3:
“clearly”: He was probably awake. Renewalists believe angels appear to people today. See the long discussion in the final section for how to evaluate and handle angelic appearances, without going overboard or developing an elitist attitude.
“about three in the afternoon”: about 15:00. This shows that Cornelius did not see a foggy, ambiguous figure in the night, but it was broad daylight. He saw the angel clearly.
“vision”: It is mostly translated as “vision,” or it could be a supernatural sight (Matt. 17:19; Acts 10:3, 17, 19; 18:9). You’ll know it when you see it, with no room for misinterpretation. And Renewalists believe that visions still happen today. They get them all the time. It’s biblical. But our visions must be submitted to the written Word because our vision may not be right, but self-serving. In contrast, Scripture has stood the test of time. Your dream or vision has not.
See the post:
Dreams and Visions: How to Interpret Them
“angel”: An angel, both in Hebrew and Greek, is really a messenger. Angels are created beings, while Jesus was the one who created all things, including angels (John 1:1-4). Renewalists believe that angels appear to people in their dreams or in person. It is God’s ongoing ministry through them to us.
Here is a multi-part study of angels in the area of systematic theology, but first, here is a summary list of the basics:
Angels:
(a) Are messengers (in Hebrew mal’ak and in Greek angelos);
(b) Are created spirit beings;
(c) Have a beginning at their creation (not eternal);
(d) Have a beginning, but they are immortal (deathless).
(e) Have moral judgment;
(f) Have a certain measure of free will;
(g) Have high intelligence;
(h) Do not have physical bodies;
(i) But can manifest with immortal bodies before humans;
(j) They can show the emotion of joy.
Angels: Their Duties and Missions
Angels: Their Names and Ranks and Heavenly Existence
Angels: Their Origins, Abilities, and Nature
4:
“fixing … attention”: it means “stare intently or intensely.” Luke is fond of it: Luke 4:20; 22:56; Acts 1:10; 3:4; 3:12; 6:15; 7:55; 10:4; 11:6; 13:9; 14:9; 23:1. Then Paul uses it twice: 2 Cor. 3:7, 13.
“Cornelius!”: Repeating a name once hints that God is not stern or about to issue a warning, unlike Saul’s case. “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).
“trembling”: the perfect response to an angel that appears and is coming toward you. Trembling conveys the physical reaction. Be careful of seers who claim they can go up into heaven whenever they wish. They have no trembling. Rather, they have an over-active imagination.
“prayer”: As noted throughout this commentary on Acts, prayer flows out of confidence before God that he will answer because we no longer have an uncondemned heart (1 John 3:19-24; Rom. 8:1); and we know him so intimately that we find out from him what is his will is and then we pray according to it (1 John 5:14-15); we pray with our Spirit-inspired languages and our native languages (1 Cor. 14:15-16). But that’s what all believers should do; however, too often theory outruns practice. Pray! For a theology on how to respond when God does not answer our prayers, as when James was executed by Herod, see Acts 12 and the Observations for Discipleship section.
Prayer can be (1) for oneself, like overcoming sins and vices in your heart and mind or receiving wisdom from above (James 3:17) and not being double-minded about receiving it (Jas. 1:5-8), but (2) it is also for the needs of the community. It was coming under attack, so prayers were offered. Praying for boldness to reach out and spread the word is wonderful. We should do it more often. (3) Further, prayer brings down the manifest presence of God. God is omnipresent (everywhere) of course, but his presence can make itself felt and experienced. God showed up and shook the place where they were gathered.
Prayer can be visualized like a pebble in a pond, and the ripples go outward. (1) It starts with oneself and one’s needs; (2) then it goes outward to one’s own family and (3) to the Christian community (your home church). (4) It goes out to evangelism and the needs of the world around the community, (5) and finally to parts around the globe. But this prayer here in Acts varies the order, which you may do, if you like. Prayer is ultimately and most deeply a conversation with God.
What Is Biblical Intercession?
As noted in v. 2, acts of generosity and prayers catch God’s attention, even from people who have an incomplete religion, like Cornelius had. God specially chose him to enjoy a Gentile Pentecost, right in front of the lead apostle and his Jewish traveling companions.
“right in front of”: Most translators go for the standard “in the presence of God” or “before God.”
“gone up”: his practical acts of generosity and prayers ascended like the smoke of a burnt offering in the OT.
5:
“Joppa … Simon, nicknamed Peter”: God knew where Peter was, exactly. He knew his name. Never doubt that God knows your name—even your nickname, and where you live. He reads your emails and texts, every time you send one. The point here is to encourage you because God has not forgotten you. Joppa is about thirty-one miles (50km) from Caesarea.
6:
“Being hosted”: it has lots of meanings, depending on the context: “to receive as a guest, entertain”; “lodge or reside with.” My translation is good enough. It is also used in vv. 18, 23, 32.
“Simon the tanner”: tanning skins was considered an unclean practice by devout Jews because the tanner had to handle dead animals. Maybe, however, his tanning shop did not touch his house, and he hired Gentiles (non-Jews) to do the dirty work. Whatever the case, Peter had no misgivings about staying with him.
“by the sea”: God knows exactly where you live. He loves and cares for you and sees your family and household. He watches over your home.
7-8:
Cornelius did not argue or delay. He acted. Obey God right away. Contrast him with Peter who will argue with the Lord, but he had years of religious traditions to overcome (vv. 14-16).
“Orderlies”: household servants. They were devoted to him and his household. The Greek says they leaned in to their duties.
“angel”: see v. 3 for more comments.
“explained”: it can be translated “narrated.”
GrowApp Acts 10:1-8
1. God himself through an angel says Cornelius is a man of prayer. How about your prayer life?
2. God himself through the same angel says that he likes Cornelius’s generosity. How about your generosity?
RELATED
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
SOURCES
For the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 