To learn about the background of the Lord God preparing Cornelius and Peter, see the devotions of this week.

  Peter (a Jewish believer in Christ Jesus) and three men from the household of a Roman centurion set out the next morning after they had met the evening before. Other believers from Joppa went with them also. 
(Acts 10:23)

(NASB) Acts 10:24 “On the following day he entered Caesarea.  Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

  Isn’t that amazing!  Cornelius was given a vision of God to ask Peter (a man he had never met) to come to Caesarea from Joppa.  And Cornelius believed God to the extent of inviting relatives and friends to be ready to meet and hear Peter… all because God said so.  Do you believe God’s word to you to the extent of acting upon it immediately?  Some may call this ‘blind’ trust.  Believing the Lord God and His word is not ‘blind’ trust, because our God is true and His words are truth.  Rather, it is living your faith in the living God.

(NASB) Acts 10:25 “When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.”

  Uh-oh, how did Peter handle this situation?
(NASB) Acts 10:26 “But Peter raised him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I too am just a man.’”

  When Peter entered the house, he found many people waiting for him.  Peter then said, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.  That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for.  So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” 
(NASB Acts 10:28-29)

  Cornelius then related what had happened four days before as he was praying.  A man stood in front of him dressed in shining garments and told Cornelius his prayers and deeds of kindness were known by God.  He was to send for Peter who was staying in Joppa.  (Acts 10:30-32)

(NASB) Acts 10:33 “So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come.  Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” 

  Because the Lord God prepared Peter during prayer time, he was ready to talk with Gentiles about the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Next week we will consider what Peter said.)

~ Take it to heart ~

  • Your time of reading/studying God’s word is important. 
    It is never wasted time!
  • Your obedience to God’s instructions will change other’s lives for eternity.
  • Peter was teachable… are you?
Categories: The Acts of the Holy Spirit