This chapter tells the story of an Italian Captain named Cornelius, He was a good man that helped the poor and devoured himself to the Lord. The angel of God appeared to him and requested that he sent someone to get Simon Peter from Joppa. On getting to J0pa Peter was on the roof top praying. He was hungry, while he was there he fell into a trance and a sheetlike material with different animals where there and the voice told him to get up and eat. But he refuted this command saying he hadn't eaten unclean things according to the Jewish law. The same voice told him don't call what God had clean and unclean thing. The vision was repeated three times before the sheet was pulled back to heaven. Peter was puzzled and wondered what this vision meant. As documented in Acts 10:19-22
Acts of the Apostles 10:19-21 NLT
[19] Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. [20] Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” [21] So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”
Once Peter got this confirmation and meaning of the vision he went downstairs and met the three men sent to him by Cornelius. He welcome them and followed them, he was accompanied by other brothers from Joppa.
Acts 10:24 -33
When they arrived at Caeserea Cornelius was waiting for them and he fell at Peter's feet. Peter told him to stand up as he(Peter) was just a human like Cornelius. Peter told him what was forbidden for a Jewish man to go into the house of a gentile
Acts of the Apostles 10:28-29 NLT
[28] Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. [29] So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
This to me is the interpretation of the vision, the unclean were the Gentiles so the relationship with Jew was nearly impossible but God almighty broke that protocols by letting Peter know ahead of time that He is the one that makes the unclean, clean. The Lesson for us here is not see anyone as irredeemable, God can redeem anyone at any time.
Acts 10:34-48
Peter shared the good news of Jesus Christ with the Gentiles, they receive the Holy spirit and they were baptized.
Acts 11:1-18 Peter explains his actions
Peter returned back to Jerusalem, the news of the salvation of the Gentiles and Peters involvement was widely known and he was citizens for going into the Gentiles dwelling. Peter explained what happened the trance he had while praying and how everything played out.
Acts of the Apostles 11:16-17 NLT
[16] Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ [17] And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”
In Acts 11:16-17 he said something quite significant God gave thesame Holy spirit He gave to the Apostles to the Gentiles so who is he (Peter) to judge and stand in God's way. The gift of salvation is to everyone and God can choose to save any group of people at any time even if they were already rejected by law. This is why it is important not to play holier than thou or stand against what God is doing in the life of anyone. After Peter's discussions they all agreed and started praising God instead of objecting.
Acts 11:19-30 The church in Antioch of Syria
The believers who were scattered after the death of Stephen had gone far to different place preaching the gospel however they were only preaching to the Jews. Gradually they started preaching to the Gentiles and the power of God moved mightily in their midst. The other believers reached out to each other Barnabas was sent to them, the he later went to look for Saul of Tarsus, they all worked together sending resources to support each other.
What I learned from this is God is not interested in just a set doctrine or denomination, He is interested in the propagation of the gospel of Christ and for us to follow Christ solely. May the Lord help us and may He spirit continue to direct us in Jesus name amen.
Acts 12:1-19 James is Killed and Peter imprisoned.
King Herod Agrippa began to persecute the believers and killed James the brother of John. He later imprisoned Peter in the process. After the imprisonment of Peter the church didn't backed down they kept praying. The miraculous happened when Angel appeared to Peter in the prison and set him free opening all gates and ushering him out of the prison. When Peter got to the entrance and was knocking, Rhoda came out, the believers didn't believe what Rhoda said to them that Peter was at the door. I find this part quite inspiring, in the face of persecution as believers we can't relent. Around the world the believers are daily persecuted. Herod Agrippa thought since he succeeded in killing James, it will be easier to get rid of other but the Lord heard the cry of his children. One thing we must do during persecution even if you put othee strategies in place don't forget to pray intercessory prayer because God will answer us.
Acts 12:20-25 Death of Herod Agrippa
Acts of the Apostles 12:20-25 NLT
[20] Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, [21] and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. [22] The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” [23] Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. [24] Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers. [25] When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.
Herod's manner of death is a lesson for anyone who thinks they can equate themselves to God. There is no way you can be bugger than God. The instant judgement there shows that God can strike anyone at anytime who goes against His will or His own. May the almighty father keep us in alignment at all times in Jesus name amen.
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