Acts | Chapter 10 : vimarsana.com
Acts | Chapter 10
Read Acts Chapter 10
For a printable version of this study, click HERE.
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to helpyou understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself?
Here’s the thing we need to see about Cornelius. He’s a prominent man of high status and character, buthe’a also Gentile (a non-Jew). As the gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem, the note about Cornelius beingdevout and generous shows that his heart was ready for the gospel. It doesn’t suggest in any way thatpiety and good works are the means by which we are saved. Had that been the case, there would havebeen no need to call for Peter (Acts 10:5) who went to preach the gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus toCornelius and the other Gentiles with him (Acts 10:34-43).
Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-16 had prepared him for this encounter. Wisely, God didn’t merely tell Peter,“salvation is for Gentiles too!” The vision and voice that told Peter to eat non-kosher (unclean) animals isimmediately followed by Cornelius and other “unclean” Gentiles becoming full participants in theChristian community. For that to happen, the cultural barriers of circumcision and kosher regulations hadto be removed. How wisely God oversees the events that led to Peter preaching to this Roman centurionand his friends! How unquestionable is their salvation, marked by the gift of the Spirit and water baptism(Acts 10:44-48). Questions about Gentile inclusion will resurface later in Acts.
Look how carefully God prepared his gospel mission to go beyond Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Interms of history and geography, we (the readers) are at the ends of the earth! (See Acts 1:8.) This storyought to humble us and make our hearts burst with joy, seeing God’s grace in the gospel as it reachedthe Gentiles, knowing that God’s intention included reaching us and making us full participants in hisfamily, a new community of faith.
Prayer: Lord, you overcame racial, social, and cultural barriers to include us in your covenant family byfaith. Help us to bring your gospel to outsiders, that they might be brought into your family by grace.
For a printable version of this study, click HERE.
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to helpyou understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself?
Here’s the thing we need to see about Cornelius. He’s a prominent man of high status and character, buthe’a also Gentile (a non-Jew). As the gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem, the note about Cornelius beingdevout and generous shows that his heart was ready for the gospel. It doesn’t suggest in any way thatpiety and good works are the means by which we are saved. Had that been the case, there would havebeen no need to call for Peter (Acts 10:5) who went to preach the gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus toCornelius and the other Gentiles with him (Acts 10:34-43).
Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-16 had prepared him for this encounter. Wisely, God didn’t merely tell Peter,“salvation is for Gentiles too!” The vision and voice that told Peter to eat non-kosher (unclean) animals isimmediately followed by Cornelius and other “unclean” Gentiles becoming full participants in theChristian community. For that to happen, the cultural barriers of circumcision and kosher regulations hadto be removed. How wisely God oversees the events that led to Peter preaching to this Roman centurionand his friends! How unquestionable is their salvation, marked by the gift of the Spirit and water baptism(Acts 10:44-48). Questions about Gentile inclusion will resurface later in Acts.
Look how carefully God prepared his gospel mission to go beyond Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Interms of history and geography, we (the readers) are at the ends of the earth! (See Acts 1:8.) This storyought to humble us and make our hearts burst with joy, seeing God’s grace in the gospel as it reachedthe Gentiles, knowing that God’s intention included reaching us and making us full participants in hisfamily, a new community of faith.
Prayer: Lord, you overcame racial, social, and cultural barriers to include us in your covenant family byfaith. Help us to bring your gospel to outsiders, that they might be brought into your family by grace.
Related Keywords
Jerusalem, Israel General, Israel, , Acts Chapter, Holy Spirit,