(Unlikely) Conversations Of The Spirit
- Power In the Blood Assembly
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Act 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
Act 10:2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Act 10:3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
Act 10:4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Act 10:5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
Act 10:6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do."
Act 10:7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
Act 10:8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter's Vision
Act 10:9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
Act 10:10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
Act 10:11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.
Act 10:12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
Act 10:13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
Act 10:14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."
Act 10:15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."
Act 10:16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Act 10:17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.
Act 10:18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
Act 10:19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.
Act 10:20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
Act 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?"
Act 10:22 And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you."
Act 10:23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Act 10:24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Act 10:25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."
Act 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
Act 10:28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Act 10:29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"
Act 10:30 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Act 10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
Act 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'
Act 10:33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."
Gentiles Hear the Good News
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Act 10:35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Act 10:36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
Act 10:37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
Act 10:40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
Act 10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Act 10:42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
Act 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
Act 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Act 10:45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Act 10:47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
1. Unlikely Believer
The discriminatory challenge of the believer is that we do not believe that God is speaking to those we deem to be heathens. Vs 1&2
2. Unlikely Witness
The power of the gospel and the love of God confronts our sectarian behaviors and commissions us against our level of comfort. Vs 9-14 & vs 28
3. Unlikely Audience
The power of God works on an unlikely individual who can be the gateway that God can touch and entire community we will never reach. Vs 24&27
4. Unlikely Convert
The Power of God brings to us a revelation of the unlimited bounds of His grace. Vs 34.
Answers to prayer in kingdom advancement
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