The Word Made Fresh
1There was a man in Caesarea, a centurion in the battalion called the Italian Cohort, whose name was Cornelius. 2He was a religious man, and had great respect for God, along with his family and household. He donated generously to the poor, and was in constant prayer to God. 3One day at mid-afternoon while he was praying, he had a vision. He saw an angel of God enter his room and call him by name; “Cornelius.”
4He was terrified and stared at the angel. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel said, “God is aware of your prayers and gifts, 5and wants you to send some men to Joppa to find a man named Simon; also called Peter. 6He is staying with another Simon, a tanner, whose home is by the seaside.”
7When the angel left, Cornelius called two of his servants and a soldier, a religious man, from the ranks he commanded. 8He told them everything and sent them to Joppa.
9Around noon the next day, as they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He was hungry, and asked for something to eat. While it was being prepared he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and what appeared to be a large sheet being lowered by its four corners, coming down to the ground. 12It held all kinds of four-footed animals along with reptiles and birds. 13He heard a voice say, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!”
14Peter answered, “Certainly not, Lord! I have never eaten anything that was forbidden.”
15The voice spoke a second time, and said, “Don’t ever say that what God has made acceptable is forbidden.”
16This occurred three times, and then the vision disappeared into heaven.
17While Peter pondered what the vision might have meant, the men sent by Cornelius arrived. They had asked for directions to Simon’s house, and were standing by the gate. 18They called out, asking whether Simon Peter was staying there. 19Peter was still pondering the vision he had seen, and the Spirit told him, “Look, some men are looking for you. 20Arise now, and go down to them. I have sent them to you.”
21Peter went down then and met the men. He said, “I am the one you are asking about. Why have you come?”
22They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion who is a good and God-fearing man, well spoken of by all the Jews, was told by an angel to send for you to come to his house; he wants to hear what you have to say.” 23Peter invited them in to spend the night. The next day he and some of the believers from Joppa went with them. 24The day after that they arrived at Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them, and had summoned his relatives and friends. 25When Peter arrived Cornelius met him and knelt at his feet in worship. 26But Peter told him to stand up. “I’m just a mortal man,” he said.
27They talked, and Peter went in with him to the others who had assembled. 28He said, “You yourselves know that a Jew is not supposed to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I shouldn’t label anyone as unclean or corrupt. 29That is why I came when I was sent for without objecting. Now, may I ask why you sent for me?”
30Cornelius told him, “Four days ago at about this time I was praying in my house. Suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood in front of me. 31He told me my prayers had been heard and that God has remembered my gifts to the poor. 32He said I was to send to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter, who is staying by the sea at the home of Simon the tanner. 33So, I sent for you right away, and it is kind of you to come. Now, all of us here in the presence of God have gathered to listen to whatever God has commanded you to tell us.”
34Then Peter said, “I really understand now that God doesn’t play favorites, 35but everyone in every nation who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36You are aware of the message God sent to the people of Israel through Jesus Christ, who proclaimed peace. He is Lord of all. 37That message began in Galilee and spread throughout Judea. This was after the baptism announced by John, 38who said that God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled around doing good and healing everyone who was being tormented by the devil, because God was with him. 39We saw everything he did in Judea and in Jerusalem. They executed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him on the third day. And he was allowed to appear, 41not to everyone, but to those of us whom God chose as witnesses. We ate and drank with him after he had risen from the dead. 42He told us to preach to the people and to assure them that he is the one God chose to judge the living and the dead. 43All the prophets tell us that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit entered all of those who heard the story. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been given even to the Gentiles, 46for they could hear them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47“Can any of you object to using the water to baptize these people who have been given the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48Then he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
They invited him then to stay for several days.
Commentary
1-8: We meet a centurion named Cornelius, of the Italian Cohort stationed at Caesarea, which tells us this man is not Jewish. Cornelius is, however, a devout believer. He has a vision one afternoon of an angel who tells him to send for Peter in Joppa. It is obvious that Cornelius is ready for a conversion experience by the care he takes in whom to send to Joppa.
9-16: Meanwhile in Joppa, Peter also has a vision which prepares him for their visit. The thing that most obviously separated Jews from Gentiles socially were the dietary restrictions imposed by Jewish law, and since God was getting ready to send Peter to a Gentile household it is fitting that Peter be given another perspective on those differences separating them. Note that Peter’s vision and its message is evidence that God has already chosen Cornelius before Cornelius has made any kind of profession of faith in Jesus.
17-22: The arrival of the three messengers coincides with Peter’s vision.
23-29: He lodges the non-Jewish men overnight, a major break with his upbringing, and the next day he goes with them to Caesarea along with some others (see verse 45). At Cornelius’ house he discovers that Cornelius has made some preparations for his coming by inviting all his relatives and friends. Cornelius’ welcome, bowing down to him, is a gesture of submission on his part which makes Peter uncomfortable. He tells Cornelius that God has shown him not to look down on anyone, Jew or Gentile, and asks why he has been sent for.
30-33: Cornelius tells Peter about his vision (shining garments seem to be the signature attire of angels, doesn’t it?) and says he and the others have gathered to hear whatever Peter has been commanded to say to them.
34-43: Peter, like any good preacher, is ready, and gives them a summary of the Christian message about Jesus.
44-48: While Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit “falls upon” his listeners, a phenomenon that is verified by their speaking in tongues and praising God. Speaking in tongues is not always associated with the coming of the Holy Spirit, but of course was the distinguishing sign on the Day of Pentecost. Peter orders that they be baptized, and then is invited to stay with them for several days.
Takeaway
The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in our lives. Through the Holy Spirit God communicates to God’s people. The communication may not be vocal as has been the case in many of the stories we have been reading. Oftentimes the Spirit speaks to us in the circumstances of the day; in the example of others who give themselves fully to God’ service; and sometimes in an overwhelming feeling that God’s hand is on us. Take some time to remember some of the ways in which the Spirit has “appeared” to you. It’s a “God thing,” some would say.