Chapter 10

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment.” (Acts 10:1)

This verse explains who Cornelius was. A regiment is an army unit, this unit was dispatched to Caesarea by the Italians, and Cornelius was the captain of the unit. This man was a highly respected man in Caesarea who probably sat with honourable men and government officials.

 “A devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms to the people, and prayed to God always.” (Acts 10:2)

Despite his portfolio, Cornelius was still devoted to God and his worship. He had the fear of God, both himself and his entire household. This keeps me assured that he must have been a good leader. Just imagine a man of such a reputation with the fear of God; the city of Caesarea would be very safe in his hands, both physically and spiritually.
 
He also was a man of prayer. Your reputation should not prevent you from serving God. Never come to a point where God means nothing to you because of who you are or what you have attained. God can lift up a man and bring down the man as well. Over the years, I have seen it happen to many people who thought they did not need God now because of where they were.

Cornelius gave alms to people; this man was genuinely concerned about the people. He was not so full of himself that the people mattered less to him. Some people talk about the poor but do nothing practical for them. You can impact more people when you’re higher than them. The lesser is blessed by, the greater. We are blessed to be a blessing.

“About the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly a vision of an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius!’” (Acts 10:3)

Verse 2 mentioned earlier that this man prayed daily, despite his supposedly tight schedule, he still had a constant relationship with God. He was so spiritual enough to see a vision clearly. Here, if we have leaders who are Spirit-filled, leadership systems would be much better, and even the world would be a better place. Cornelius’ vision reveals an angel who brought a message to him from God. God’s angels are his messengers sent to reveal His will to men for that season. Every believer might not have angelic visitations, but God can communicate to us by a witness through his Spirit in us and through His word.

 “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.’” (Acts 10:4)

Out of fear, Cornelius wanted to find out why an angel of the Lord was visiting him. He was told that God had remembered him for his prayers and giving because they had risen as a memorial (remembrance offering) to God. Our deeds definitely speak volumes, whether now or in the future.

“Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do” (Acts 10:5-6)

Cornelius was to send his men to go get Peter. Now, the instruction was specific; it was not for Cornelius to go himself; it was for him to send men there. God’s plans were obviously not for Cornelius alone but for his household as well. Revealing Peter’s identity, God had to make their search easier by telling them where Peter was lodging.

“And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier from those that waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.” (Acts 10:7-8)

Cornelius was a man of high reputation, but when he was asked to call for Peter, he did not hesitate. Peter was just a fisherman who eventually became one of Jesus’ disciples. Cornelius, who was a captain, would now be blessed by Peter, a fisherman. If God wants to bless you through a man, you don’t get to decide which man to be used; you just walk in obedience and allow God to do what he wants to do through whichever vessel he wants.

If He decides to use a man or even a means that looks lesser than your reputation, you should still obey him. Elisha had told Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, to go wash himself in the river Jordan as a cure for his leprosy. Had he refused to obey because of his status, his leprosy would have remained with him. He was cured of the disease when he agreed to swallow his pride and wash himself in the river Jordan.

“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.” (Acts 10:9)

Jesus had taught his disciples how to pray. He told them to pray without ceasing. And Peter, as one of the early church heads, should show a good example of how believers should pray. Though they were on a journey, Peter took time out to pray around noon (the sixth hour).

“Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.” (Acts 10:10)

Even if Peter was an apostle of God, he was also a human who could get hungry at any time. There were days when he fasted. Peter went into a trance when he grew hungry and fell asleep. Sometimes, God uses our point of rest to speak to us. We can hear better when our minds are calm.

“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. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and birds of the air.” (Acts 10:11-12)

In the early days, visions were major ways through which God spoke to his people. God spoke to Peter through a trance. Trances are not merely the domain of shamans and New Agers.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines trance this way, “An ecstasy; a state in which the soul seems to have passed out of the body into celestial regions, or to be rapt into visions.” A trance is a state of one who is “out of himself,” according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary.2 The word trance comes from the Greek word ekstasis, from which the word ecstasy is derived.

“And a voice came to him, ‘rise, Peter; kill, and eat.’” (Acts 10:13)

Now, Peter did not just see; he heard as well. Trances are not usually understood if there are no vocal explanations afterwards. So, if Peter had just seen those things and heard nothing, it would have been difficult for him to understand why such things would fall from heaven. When our spiritual eyes are opened, and we see things that we don’t understand, it is necessary that we also pray for the ability to hear. Seeing is not complete except when what is seen is also understood. Peter did not just see these unclean things descending from heaven; he was even asked to eat them, which must have been very difficult for him then.

“But Peter said, ‘not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean.’” (Acts 10:14)

So, Peter was instructed to eat these unclean things, and then he refused because he had never eaten anything unclean. Now, before God asked Peter to eat those things, he definitely knew that they were unclean. Sometimes, when God wants us to do things out of the box, it’s not because He is not aware of the implications of what he wants us to do but because there are things he wants us to learn from them. God will not always tell you to do what you want, but whatever he tells you to do is what you need. So, whenever your wish goes contrary to God’s, it’s advisable that you let yours slide and pursue God’s wish; that’s what living out God’s purpose entails.

 “And a voice spoke to him again the second time, what God has cleansed, you must not call common.’” (Acts 10:15)

Peter called those things unclean, but considering that they were coming from God, should they still be called unclean? Whatever comes from God is good and holy, no matter what it is. And God cannot give to us what he has not purified. But even when He gives them to us unpurified, He wants to purify them through us. The point is: nothing remains the same with God.  

“This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven.” (Acts 10:16)

This vision was so important that it was repeated three times. God can go the extra mile to make us understand his will. Peter had to understand exactly the reason why he was shown this vision. This would help him prepare better for what was to happen next. After the third time, the object was taken back because God was sure that he had made Peter see what He wanted him to see. The next course of action would reveal if Peter would hold on to his own beliefs or fear God and obey. Even when God lays emphasis on His will for us, he does not force us to act on it, but He definitely expects us to obey him.