WE’RE IN!!!! May 12, 2013

Acts 10:1-8 1 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Caesarea From the Roman perspective, the most important city in Palestine during the New Testament period. From the Roman perspective, the most important city in Palestine during the New Testament period. Located on the shores of the Great Sea, some thirty miles from Joppa. Located on the shores of the Great Sea, some thirty miles from Joppa. Rebuilt by Herod the Great, named for Caesar Augustus. Rebuilt by Herod the Great, named for Caesar Augustus. A beautiful city with marble streets and many columned buildings. A beautiful city with marble streets and many columned buildings. The Roman governors of Palestine lived there, and would travel to Jerusalem only for special events. The Roman governors of Palestine lived there, and would travel to Jerusalem only for special events.

Cornelius (Every centurion mentioned in the New Testament is cast in a favorable light!) (Every centurion mentioned in the New Testament is cast in a favorable light!) Jesus first encounter with a Gentile was with a Centurion (Matthew 8)Jesus first encounter with a Gentile was with a Centurion (Matthew 8) A centurion was over 100 soldiers. A centurion was over 100 soldiers. A “cohort” was a tenth part of a “legion” and hence 600 men. A “cohort” was a tenth part of a “legion” and hence 600 men. This cohort was Italian in composition, and Cornelius was an Latin name, so, he probably lived in Rome. This cohort was Italian in composition, and Cornelius was an Latin name, so, he probably lived in Rome. Qualities of a centurion are described as: “Centurions are required not to be bold and adventurous so much as good leaders, of steady and prudent mind, not prone to take the offensive or start fighting wantonly, but able when overwhelmed and hard-pressed to stand fast and die at their post.” Qualities of a centurion are described as: “Centurions are required not to be bold and adventurous so much as good leaders, of steady and prudent mind, not prone to take the offensive or start fighting wantonly, but able when overwhelmed and hard-pressed to stand fast and die at their post.”

He was a “God-fearer”, or “proselyte at the gate”. These were individuals who kept all the distinctive laws of the Jews, except they were not circumcised. He was a “God-fearer”, or “proselyte at the gate”. These were individuals who kept all the distinctive laws of the Jews, except they were not circumcised. Perhaps drawn by the monotheism of the Jews due to the emptiness of Roman paganism. Perhaps drawn by the monotheism of the Jews due to the emptiness of Roman paganism. Certainly they embraced the moral and ethical standards of the Jews. Certainly they embraced the moral and ethical standards of the Jews. Alms giving (“he gave generously to those in need”—NIV) Alms giving (“he gave generously to those in need”—NIV)

Praying at 3:00 pm. Praying at 3:00 pm. Frightened by an angel! He is a Centurion! Frightened by an angel! He is a Centurion! His prayers have “ascended” as a “memorial” His prayers have “ascended” as a “memorial” Interesting, the angel’s language here is very full of sacrificial terminology similar to what is used in the instructions on sacrifices in Leviticus. Interesting, the angel’s language here is very full of sacrificial terminology similar to what is used in the instructions on sacrifices in Leviticus. So, two servants and a soldier were immediately dispatched. (If they left about 4:00, and it was a ten hour journey to Joppa, and they arrive by noon the next day, then????) So, two servants and a soldier were immediately dispatched. (If they left about 4:00, and it was a ten hour journey to Joppa, and they arrive by noon the next day, then????) But more significantly, why send for Peter, when Philip was already there (in all probability— 21:8)? But more significantly, why send for Peter, when Philip was already there (in all probability— 21:8)?

Acts 10: On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; 11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.

Peter’s situation At noon—not an “official” time of prayers. At noon—not an “official” time of prayers. On the roof—privacy? On the roof—privacy? Very hungry—only use of this word in Scripture, and only one other time in ancient literature. Very hungry—only use of this word in Scripture, and only one other time in ancient literature. Fell into a trance. Fell into a trance. Greek word from which we get our word “ecstasy”. The word literally means “displacement”, and here would refer to the moving of the mind to a greater state of consciousness—heightened senses!Greek word from which we get our word “ecstasy”. The word literally means “displacement”, and here would refer to the moving of the mind to a greater state of consciousness—heightened senses!

The vision: a sheet like object being lowered down. Tablecloth? The vision: a sheet like object being lowered down. Tablecloth? Three groupings of animals in the ancient world, referred to in Genesis 6:20 (“Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind”) All three are represented here. Three groupings of animals in the ancient world, referred to in Genesis 6:20 (“Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind”) All three are represented here. Jews could only eat animals with “split hoofs” that chewed the “cud” (yuk!) Jews could only eat animals with “split hoofs” that chewed the “cud” (yuk!) Even clean animals had to be properly (Kosher—a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew khasher which means “proper”) prepared. Even clean animals had to be properly (Kosher—a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew khasher which means “proper”) prepared.

Peter’s response: “no, Lord”. Contradiction in terms! Peter’s response: “no, Lord”. Contradiction in terms! And this even after he had heard Jesus “make all foods clean” in Mark 7:19. And this even after he had heard Jesus “make all foods clean” in Mark 7:19. Three times! (Cornelius got it in just one!!) Three times! (Cornelius got it in just one!!) Question: why does God not merely tell him that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered “unclean”, but have him view this vision Question: why does God not merely tell him that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered “unclean”, but have him view this vision

Acts 10:17-23a 17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Note God’s timing—just as he finished reflecting on the vision! Note God’s timing—just as he finished reflecting on the vision! Peter’s trance broken by a voice? Peter’s trance broken by a voice? At what point do you think Peter got it? At what point do you think Peter got it? Peter invites Gentiles into Simon’s home! In keeping with the customs of the day, he provides both food and lodging before they start out on their journey to Caesarea. Peter invites Gentiles into Simon’s home! In keeping with the customs of the day, he provides both food and lodging before they start out on their journey to Caesarea.