(12) All manner of four-footed beasts . . .—The classification seems to imply the sheep, the oxen, or the swine that were used as food by the Gentiles, as coming under this head, the deer and goats, and conies and hares under that of “wild beasts.” Stress in each case is laid upon there being “all manner” of each class, those that were allowed, and those also that were forbidden by the Jewish law. read more
Almsgiving Acts 10:4 Sermons on almsgiving aim at setting forth the rationale of giving to God; and they are not so frequent as they ought to be, considering the prominence given to the subject in Holy Scripture; because (a) they are unpopular. People who never forget themselves are apt to do so when asked for money. (b) There is a dread lest by preaching upon almsgiving the preacher should not appear to be preaching the Gospel; lest He should seem to attribute efficacy to something else... read more
Chapter 6THE PETRINE VISION AT JOPPA.Acts 10:9-15THERE are two central figures in the conversion of Cornelius. The one is the centurion himself, the other is St. Peter, the selected and predestined agent in that great work. We have studied Cornelius in the last chapter, and have seen the typical character of all his circumstances. His time, his residence, his training. had all been providential, indicating to us the careful superintendence, the watchful oversight, which God bestows upon the... read more
CHAPTER 10 1. Cornelius of Caesarea and his Preparation (Acts 10:1-8 ). 2. The Trance-vision of Peter (Acts 10:9-16 ). 3. Peter with Cornelius at Caesarea (Acts 10:17-33 ). 4. Peter Preaching to the Gentiles (Acts 10:34-43 ). 5. The Interrupted Message (Acts 10:44-48 ). The ending of the preceding chapter tells us that Peter tarried in Joppa in the house of Simon the tanner. Was he breaking with his Jewish law and customs? Tanning as a trade was considered unclean by the Jews. In... read more
10:12 Wherein were {h} all manner of {i} fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and {k} creeping things, and fowls of the air.(h) Here is this word "all" which is general, plainly used for something indefinite and uncertain, that is to say, for some of all sorts, not for all of every sort.(i) That is, such as were proper for men’s use.(k) To see what is meant by these creeping things see Leviticus 11:2-47 . read more
Gentiles also must now hear the gospel. The heart of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, had been already prepared by God, having a wholesome, genuine fear of God that proved itself in kind works toward the Jewish people, a man of consistent prayer. Though the apostles had been told to go to Gentiles (Luke 24:47), it was no easy matter for them to begin this, and God gave two visions, confirmatory of one another, to persuade Peter to go. Cornelius was given a vision of an angel, who told him his... read more
DOOR OPENED TO GENTILES The closing of chapter 9 shows Peter on a tour of visitation, and the instrument of two great miracles, it being significant that the greater of the two was in answer to prayer (Acts 9:40 ). Almost all the commentators regard these miracles as having a bearing on the crisis of the church recorded in the next chapter. In that chapter Peter is again to use the “keys,” this time in opening the door of the gospel to the Gentiles. Indeed, since the occupation of a tanner... read more
Chapter 28 Prayer Almighty God, thou hast shewn us great and marvellous things in thy Word today. We have read a noble Psalm, and have heard of One who shall come down like rain upon the mown grass and as showers that water the earth We have heard of One coming who shall save the poor and the needy, and be the helper of him that hath no friend. Our hearts have risen to this sublime music, and our expectation has heightened as we have looked for him in whom all nations shall be blessed. Behold,... read more
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, (2) A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. (3) He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. (4) And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:1-48
Peter and the Gentiles1-48. Conversion of Cornelius. The baptism of Cornelius was an event of farreaching importance, and is, therefore, described by St. Luke in great detail. If it was not the first actual baptism of a Gentile (see Acts 8:38), it was, at any rate, the first such baptism which was publicly acknowledged. The historical character of the incident has been called in question because St. Peter in Galatians is represented as opposing St. Paul on the Gentile question (Galatians... read more