In this installment, we pick back up in Acts 9:43. Remember that chapters and verses were added as a tool for quick reference. At times the chapter breaks disconnect passages from their context.  

In the previous installment, we read about Peter traveling toward the city of Joppa. We also read of two great miracles done through Peter to Aeneas and Dorcas. It is important to note that these miracles were done through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. As the Great Tribulation approaches, we see real faith fading. Consequently, we see and hear of less miracles. It is the duty of every Christian to assess his or her own conviction of the truth. Real faith and real miracles will be needed to survive the Great Tribulation!  

God Decides Who Joins His Flock  

In Acts 9:43, we see that the apostle Peter tarried (stayed) in Joppa for a while with Simon the tanner. In Acts 10:1, we are introduced to a centurion named Cornelius. Most likely, this man was an Italian because he was a part of a group that came to Caesarea from Italy. We do not know for sure what his ethnicity was, but this verse shows us that he was not of Jewish decent.  

In verse 2, we are told that Cornelius was a devout man. The Greek word translated as devout was used four times in the entire New Testament. It means well-reverent, i.e. pious. Pious mean having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations. Cornelius was a man with much respect for the one true God. This same Greek word was used to describe a solider under his command in Acts 10:7.  

We are not told when this relationship with the true God began but there is a lesson to learn from pondering this verse. Christians should not assume to understand anyone’s relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. The hearts of men are only known to God. We are told in verse 2 that Cornelius and all his house feared God. We are told this man devoted himself to giving alms and prayer.   

It is easy to judge from the outward appearance, but this is not how God sees men (I Sam. 16:7). We should be careful not to assume what the status of someone’s relationship with God is. Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits, you shall know them.” In the same chapter, Jesus said that many will do works in His name, but He does not know them (see Matt. 7:21-23). Again, this points to the fact that only God knows where someone stands with Him. We can see their works, but not their hearts unless God reveals it.  

In Cornelius’ case, we read that he was devout, devoted to prayer and alms. It is revealed to us that this gentile was seeking a real relationship with God. God acknowledged this by sending an angel to Cornelius (Acts 10:3-6). God chose to add this man to His church.  

Read John 10:14-16. Jesus foretold of this consolidation of His flock. Compare these verses with Isa. 56:1-8. In Acts 10, we see these prophecies begin to be fulfilled. God determines whom He will call based on His own criteria and not the opinions of men!!! 

Please note that this devout man proved his worthiness by immediately following the instructions given by the angel (Acts 10:7-8).  

Dreams and Visions  

In Acts 10:10-16, Luke outlines a vision shown to Peter. Peter was given the same message three times. Read Joel 2:28. It is prophesied that God will send prophecies, dreams, and visions to His servants. This is different than what some professing Christian groups believe. Some seek out visions, dreams, and prophecies because they want power or a sign. Some even try occultic meditation techniques to encourage or stimulate a vision. They ignore that Jesus said a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs (Matt. 12:39; Matt. 16:4).  

Reread Acts 10:10. Notice that Peter was praying (verse 9). He wasn’t trying to work himself into a trance as some do. He was given a vision because God wanted to reveal something to him. This is not different from what happened to other men of God. An easy example to compare can be found in Dan. 9:3, 20-23. Daniel wasn’t praying for a vision. He was praying, confessing his sins, and making supplications. We have Daniel’s words preserved for us to read. Please read them. Daniel was given understanding because of his relationship with God (see verse 23).  

God can give visions and dreams to whomever He wishes, but we should not expect knowledge to be revealed to us if we are not maintaining an open line of communication with the great God of heaven.  We must continue to dedicate time to prayers like Cornelius, Peter, and Daniel.  The end time is not the time to pray less, rather it is the time to pray more! 

God Reveals  

It is important to remember that God is the true interpreter of dreams and visions. It is not up to any of us to determine what our dreams and visions mean. Let God reveal to you what the real meaning is. Daniel understood that it is God who reveals the interpretation of dreams and visions (Dan. 2:27-28). Note Acts 10:17. Peter was unsure of what the meaning was. He was fortunate enough to receive understanding almost immediately from his visitors and the Holy Spirit (verses 18-23).  

You may not be so fortunate to receive immediate understanding but know that understanding will come if you wait for God to reveal it. Read verses 24-28. In verse 28, we see the real interpretation of the vision Peter saw. God did not reveal to Peter that he could eat anything he wanted now. God revealed unto Peter that He is the One who determines who is clean!! We do not need to interpret the interpretation! All we need to do is accept it for what it says. What verse 28 does not say is that unclean meats are now clean.  

Read Acts 10:29-33. These verses show Cornelius recounting his encounter with the angel. This was another confirmation to Peter about what his vision was revealing to him. Peter affirms this in verse 34.  

Why is this important towards surviving the end times? Visions and dreams are warning and directions from God. Jesus gave us signs to look for in Matt. 24, but we should not assume that this is all we need to know. If we are faithful Christians, then we can expect God to reveal things to us like He did to Daniel, Peter, Ananias, Paul, and others. Don’t belittle your dreams and visions. Seek God for what the interpretation might be and be patience for an answer.  

Also, consider that both Cornelius and Peter are described as having a vision (see verse 3, 17, and 19). Two separate visions were used to bring these men together just like Saul and Ananias. The Greek word translated as vision means something gazed at, i.e. a spectacle (especially supernatural). Again, do not disregard your dreams and visions. Reread Joel 2:28.  

The Good News 

In Acts 10: 34-43, we see the message that Peter preached to Cornelius and his household. Give special attention to verses 42 and 43. Peter declares that Jesus commanded His apostles to preach that God ordained Him as Judge of the quick and the dead. Most professing Christians do not understand this verse or they ignore it. It clearly states that Jesus was ordained to judge those alive and those who are dead! 

The professing Christian world claims that the dead have already been judged. They also claim that those who do not know or accept Jesus will go to hell. But this verse says Jesus will judge them. This implies that they have not been judged yet. Peter said the following in his epistle: 

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17) 

Peter is talking about those who have received the Holy Spirit. If true Christians do not obey the good news, then they will be judge harshly. Please note II Pet. 2:20-22 which makes this point plain. There is a way of righteousness that men must know, and it includes knowing who Jesus truly is. Many profess to believe in Jesus but do not really know what that means. Believing in Jesus is not just believing He exists and died for your sins. Believing in Jesus is believing all of His teachings including the fact that He gave His life for mankind.  

As it is stated in Acts 10:43, the remission of sins is for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Again, this is not mere belief in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Please read Matt. 7:24-27 carefully. True belief in Jesus Christ is to hear His sayings and do them!!! Do not fall into the trap of thinking that all you have to do is believe in your heart. Jesus warned us that those who hear but will not do will have a great fall.  

Malachi 3:1 shows that Jesus Christ is the messenger of the covenant. A covenant is an agreement between parties. Heb. 12:24 states that Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. That covenant is mentioned in Jer. 31:31-34. The law of God is not done away with; it is in the hearts of those who believe what Jesus taught. Jesus came to teach mankind how to turn away from iniquity (lawlessness). This is a complete lifestyle change. It is the way of righteousness!  

The good news is that through Jesus Christ we can learn this way of righteousness and enter into the family of God. This is what Peter was teaching Cornelius and his company.  

Jesus will judge the quick and the dead. What will be the basis for this judgment? Read John 12:46-48. The words of Jesus will be used to judge those who reject it. In the Bible, we have Jesus’ words preserved and those words show us the way of righteous. There is no other way to enter the kingdom of God. We cannot abide in darkness while claiming to be the children of God.  

Read Matt. 7:21 and John 5:25-30. You will not enter the kingdom of heaven if you do not do the will of the Father. Jesus will judge men based on the will of God. Jesus words were spoken at the command of God the Father (John 12:49-50).  

The good news is deeper than what most men teach. It is a message about love, grace, mercy, and obedience. God loves us and has given us grace and mercy so that we can come into real obedience to His way of righteousness. Read Rom. 6:16; II Cor. 10:1-6; and I Pet. 1:1-2. Yes, obedience is proof of belief in what Jesus taught.  

The gospel must be obeyed. Cornelius and his family were devout. In their hearts, they tried to obey God, so God sent an angel and Peter to them so that they would understand all of what they needed to do. Jesus’ teachings (which come from the Father) shows us how to turn away from sin and become obedient to God. Real belief in Jesus’ message will lead to repentance, obedience, and eternal life! 

The Holy Spirit 

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” (Acts 10:44) 

These gentiles believed Peter’s word and received the Holy Spirit just like the first 120 disciples. Read verses 45 and 46. This group spoke in other languages just like the first group. If you read the book of Acts, you will notice that speaking in tongues does not happen all the time. It is a significant miracle that happens to magnify a specific event. In this case, the door was being opened unto the gentiles who had no ancestry with the Israelites.  

Compare this with Acts 8:14-17. There is no mention of speaking with tongues in verses. Keep in mind that the Samaritans were mixed with the remnant of the Israelites who escaped Assyrian captivity (see II Kings 17 and II Chron. 30).  

Sidenote: The only other time tongues are mentioned in the book of Acts is Acts 19:1-6. It is not clear whether or not these men were Jews. We are only told that they knew of John and the baptism of repentance.  

Also notice that Cornelius’ family received the Holt Spirit before baptism, and it is never said that hands were laid on them. God gives His Spirit to whom He will, however He will. As humans, we try to find patterns and formulas for things. Sometimes the patterns we observe are valid and at other times they have no relevance. This case stands alongside the prophets of the Old Testament who were not baptized. We should not limit God to the patterns our minds notice. God will give His Spirit to those who obey Him whenever He chooses (Acts 5:32).  

Also read Luke 11:13 which does not mention baptism or the laying on of hands as requirement to receive the Holy Spirit. We are not told what Cornelius was praying for, but we are told that God acknowledged his prayers and alms (Acts 10:4). It is likely that Cornelius was praying about what God would have him to do (Acts 10:6). Consequently, Cornelius and family received the true gospel and the Holy Spirit.  

After these gentiles received the Holy Spirit, Peter raises the issue of the baptism (verses 47-48). Again, baptism is about being made clean. The Greek word has to do with submerging to wash. Though Paul uses the analogy of dying to sin, it is also important to keep in mind that it is about being washed and overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. It is a symbol of washing away the old works of unrighteousness. 

Please read Matt. 3:11 and Mal. 3:2-3. Jesus is a refiner and a purifier. He will do this through the Holy Spirit and fire. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is vastly more important than baptism in water. This is not written to belittle water baptism, but to give more attention to what water baptism symbolizes.  

Let the Lord Jesus Christ wash you clean and purify you as silver and gold. (Rev. 3:18)