God Opens the Door Wider

Cornelius was a Roman army officer who worshiped Israel's God, gave to people in need, and prayed often. He was a Gentile, but he was not careless about faith. An angel appeared to him and said that God had noticed his prayers and gifts. The angel told him to send for Peter, who was staying with Simon, a leather worker, in Joppa. Cornelius quickly sent two servants and a soldier who also honored God. Notice God's care here. He knew Cornelius by name and knew exactly where Peter could be found. Cornelius's good deeds did not replace his need for Jesus. God was bringing him the message through which he would hear about forgiveness and life.

While the messengers traveled, Peter went onto the roof to pray. Hungry and waiting for food, he saw a vision of a large sheet filled with animals. A voice told him to kill and eat, but Peter refused because he had never eaten food forbidden by Jewish food laws. Those laws had helped mark Israel as a people set apart for God. The voice told Peter not to call unclean what God had made clean. This happened three times. Peter did not yet understand the full meaning. God was preparing him for more than a change in his meals. Soon Peter would see that he must not treat Gentile people as unfit to receive God's welcome.

Peter was still trying to understand the vision when Cornelius's messengers arrived. The Spirit told him that three men were looking for him and that he should go with them without hesitation. God had sent them. The men explained that an angel had directed Cornelius to hear what Peter would say. Peter welcomed them as guests, then left with them the next day. Some believers from Joppa went along too. I notice that Peter did not receive every answer before taking the next step. But this was not a blind guess. God had given him clear direction through the vision, the Spirit, and the visitors. His growing understanding began to show itself in a simple act of welcome.

Cornelius gathered his relatives and close friends to hear Peter. When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell at his feet, but Peter raised him up. Peter was a human messenger, not someone to worship. He then explained the barrier he had crossed by entering a Gentile home. Jewish customs and concerns about uncleanness made such close contact a serious matter. Yet God had shown him not to call any person unclean. Cornelius described the angel's visit and said that everyone was gathered before God, ready to hear. What a setting for the gospel: one man learning to cross an old boundary and a room full of people ready to listen. God had prepared both the speaker and the hearers.

Peter now understood that God does not favor one nation over another. People from every nation who honor Him and do what is right are welcome; no ancestry gives someone a special claim on grace. This does not mean good deeds save people. Peter went on to explain their need for Jesus. God sent His message through Israel, but Jesus is Lord of all. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus did good and freed people from the devil's power. Though people killed Him on a cross, God raised Him on the third day. Chosen witnesses saw Him and ate with Him. Jesus is the appointed judge of the living and the dead. The prophets also pointed to this promise: everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness.

Before Peter finished speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon the people listening. The Jewish believers who had traveled with Peter were amazed. Gentiles were receiving the same gift they had received. They heard them speaking in tongues—languages given by the Spirit—and praising God. This clear sign showed that God had welcomed these believers without first requiring them to become Jewish. Peter recognized that no one could rightly keep water baptism from people who had received the Holy Spirit. He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay a few days. The church was not deciding whether God's grace could reach Gentiles. It was recognizing what God had already done.