A vital development in chapter 10; thus far, the church has been largely Jewish, with some Samaritans. This chapter makes that expansion; chapter 11 deals with the discussion amongst the leaders of the development, as Peter returns to Jerusalem to explain what has happened. Ultimately, of course, these things are true because God did them, rather than because there is approval from church leaders, even apostles. In a similar way, the Bible is not given authority by the church, but the church gains its authority from the Bible. (See 1 Chr 13, when the leaders were clearly wrong in their decision.)

In respect of Cornelius, E.M. Blaiklock says; "an earnest minority of dissatisfied pagans had found in the Septuagint and the synagogue a satisfaction for the soul denied them in the state cults and mystery religions. We meet them repeatedly in the New Testamment, and again and again find them ripe for the message of the gospel" (Commentary on Acts).

v1-2: Cornelius is introduced; a devout man, a Gentile, perhaps influenced by Jews or Christians; he has learned something about God, but he is not saved. His whole family share the same quality of devotion.

v3-4: The Lord honours those who truly seek Him, since the Lord put such desire there first; but he cannot be saved by such works.

v5-8: Cornelius has specific directions; it is convenient (and certainly no coincidence) that Peter is at Joppa, only 30 miles away.

Cornelius' vision is the day before Peter's, giving his servants time for the journey. He third day Peter travels to Caesarea (v23), and the fourth day he arrives at Cornelius' house (v24).

v9-13: Peter, like Cornelius, makes a regular time to pray. Even in the busy-ness of apostolic ministry, he gives proper priority to prayer, 6.4.

Luke, the writer, describes Peter's experience. This is important, as Peter has to later explain events to the other leaders in Jerusalem.

v14-16: Peter recognises the vision as being from the Lord, yet the command, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat," is something he cannot bring himself to obey.

It is interesting that the vision occurs three times; just as Peter has previously denied the Lord three times, and three times the Lord asked, "Do you love me." Here is something of great significance, although Peter has yet to see it.

v17: We sometimes have to consider the meaning of God's message to us. He treats us as responsible people, able to think and to decide.

v18-20: The next instruction is simply to go with the visitors. Peter still has no understanding of the vision, yet he rightly obeys the clear command to accompany these strangers.

The Bible has real detail here; for Cornelius has sent two servants and one soldier (v7) and three men arrive at Simon's house seeking Peter.

v21-22: Peter welcomes in the three men, inviting them to share Simon's hospitality. Peter is beginning to piece things together.

v23: Peter wisely takes some brothers with him to go to Cornelius' house. These are witnesses of what subsequently transpires, 11.12.

v24-26: Peter arrives at Cornelius' house. Cornelius makes a mistake, by bowing down to worship Peter; this Peter quickly deals with. We worship no man. It is significant that the Lord Jesus never uses Peter's words of Himself.

v27-29: Peter has learned the lesson of the vision; "But God," he says. Our opinions change for the letter as we heed God's word. Peter's natural anti-Gentile prejudice, like any sinful attitude, can be changed by the word of God. See also v35, where he refers to men from "every nations."

v30-33: Cornelius relates his side of the story; see 11.13-14 where Peter and his companions relate this to the leaders at Jerusalem.

Cornelius gave proper authority to the vision he had seen. This is proved by him inviting his relatives and close friends to hear, and by the subsequent outpouring of God on them.

v34-43: Peter's message is centred in Christ. "I now realise," indicates his developing understanding of God's ways.

v34-35: The universality of the gospel message. A contrast with customary Jewish prejudice; no man can be called "impure or unclean." God accepts those who turn to Him in Fear (belief) and righteousness (repentance and obedience).

v36: God has spoken to the people of Israel, for Jesus Christ was born a Jew and lived amongst the Jewish people. The good news is peace through Jesus Christ, and he is Lord of all.

v37: Jesus' ministry is known to Cornelius, for He ministered in Galilee and Judea. The gospels refer to His ministry in the region of Caesarea Philippi, Matt 16.13.

v38: The 'Trinity' at work; Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and power. His ministry was healing and doing good, kindness and power, an effective and unique ministry.

God was with Him - it could not be otherwise. Other false messiahs could not have made such a claim, and certainly such claims would have been widely denied. Even Simon the Sorcerer's claim was false, 8.10.

v39: "We are witnesses;" Peter tells of the things he has seen, events which cannot be denied. Although Jesus did wonderful things amongst the Jewish people, it was they who put Him to death.

v40: Raised by God, and seen openly; again there were eye-witnesses, although not so many as witnessed His life and ministry.

v41: The eye-witnesses to the resurrection were 'selected,' already chosen by God; all followers of Christ, 1 Cor 15.5-8. Peter ate and drank with the risen Lord; pointing to His real, physical resurrection. The significance of “ate and drank” is seen in Ex 24.9-11, where Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu saw the Lord God, and ate and drank in His presence.

v42: The command to His followers, to proclaim the message of Christ.

God the Father has exalted Jesus Christ, and given Him authority to execute judgment, John 5.27. Such authority cannot be given to a mere man. See Rom 2.16.

v43: The OT prophets foretold these things, pointing towards Christ. Through them is the challenge to believe, and the promise of forgiveness.

Peter speaks with utter confidence here; the message is based on undeniable facts, and is clear and wonderful.

v44: It is while Peter is still speaking that the Lord honours His word in sending the Holy Spirit in power upon those listening. This is called ‘effectual calling,’ where the Holy Spirit takes the proclaimed Word of God, and brings saving faith; see also 16.14. God does not just persuade, He calls and enables (Rom 8.30).

v45-46: The outward sign of tongues; in 11.15-18 this is seen as proof to the Jews that God has accepted these Gentiles. They are initially astonished that the Gentiles have received the same gift as they had.

v47-48: Peter quickly sees the reality of what has happened, and baptises the new believers. It seems that Peter "ordered" their baptism, but does not do it himself, see 1 Cor 1.14-16. Gentiles, like Jews, are baptised as a sign of faith in Jesus Christ.