Act 10:9-48, 11:4-18 | PNT | STEP | On the morrow, as they . . . drew nigh to the city . Starting in the evening, after three o'clock, they could be near Joppa, thirty miles distant, the next day, "at the sixth hour", or about twelve o'clock. Went up upon the house top to pray . To the flat roof of the house, surrounded by the usual balustrade about four feet high, a place of retirement, and often the sleeping place of the family in the warm season. Moses required balustrades to the roofs ( ). See also .

‏ Acts 10:9-48

On the morrow, as they . . . drew nigh to the city. Starting in the evening, after three o'clock, they could be near Joppa, thirty miles distant, the next day, "at the sixth hour", or about twelve o'clock.

Went up upon the house top to pray. To the flat roof of the house, surrounded by the usual balustrade about four feet high, a place of retirement, and often the sleeping place of the family in the warm season. Moses required balustrades to the roofs (De 22:8). See also 1Sa 9:25. Fell into a trance. A rapt condition, when he was transported out of himself into a mental condition that fitted him to see divine things. See 2Co 12:2 Re 1:10. Saw heaven opened. The meaning of the vision is plain. Peter was hungry (Ac 10:10). He saw, let down from heaven, all kinds of animals, those ceremonially unclean and prohibited by the Mosaic law, as well as others (Ac 10:11,12), and was told to kill and eat (Ac 10:13). When he answered that he had never eaten anything "common" (as opposed to holy) and "unclean" (Ac 10:14), that is, forbidden by Moses, he was told that what God had cleansed was not common or unclean (Ac 10:15). This could only mean that the ceremonial distinctions of the law were abrogated (Le 11:2-45 De 14:3-21). It was at this time that the messengers from a Gentile, one of a class, with which even Peter would not eat, yet for which Christ had died, presented themselves (Ac 10:21). The object of the vision was to show Peter that it was the will of the Lord that he should go. This was done thrice. The voice spoke three times. See Ac 10:13,15. While Peter doubted. Doubted, not what the Lord had said, but what was the special object. It was while he was thinking over the matter that the messenger came. The Spirit told him their purpose and what he must do. He, therefore, called in the men, took care of them till the next day, and then returned with them. Six Jewish brethren from Joppa went with him (Ac 11:12). And the morrow after. Parts of two days were employed on the journey.

Cornelius . . . had called together his kinsmen and near friends, who were like-minded with himself. Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet. Meeting him, as he entered, he cast himself at his feet as God's messenger. Observe Peter's conduct: Instead of receiving worship, as the popes who claim to be his successors, he forbade him, as he was "only a man". Not even an angel ought to be worshiped (Re 22:8,9), only God. Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing. Contrary to Jewish customs. Moses prohibited intermarriages and religious intercourse, but the Jews carried their restrictions beyond both the letter and spirit of the law. They would not eat with the uncircumcised (Ga 2:12). Therefore are we all here present before God, to hear. It was an assembly of "devout" men (see PNT Ac 10:2) who recognized the fact that Peter had a message of the Lord for them; the first Gentile audience that ever listened to a gospel sermon. Then Peter opened [his] mouth. The same preacher who, on the day of Pentecost, declared the conditions of salvation to the Jews now declares them for the first time to the Gentiles. To him Christ gave the keys of the kingdom (Mt 16:19), and with them he opened its doors to both Jew and Gentile.

I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. It has just dawned on him that Jew and Gentile are on the same footing in God's sight. Those who fear the Lord in any nation, of any race, will be accepted. The word which [God] sent to the children of Israel. The message of Christ. That word, [I say], ye know. Have heard of, but not fully.

After the baptism which John preached. Christ's ministry began from his baptism by John (see Joh 1:22). How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth. At his baptism, and made him "the Anointed" (Mt 3:16,17 Mr 1:10,11 Lu 3:21,22). He gives a condensed summary of the ministry of Jesus. Luke has only preserved the substance of what Peter said. We are witnesses. Not only of his life and power, but of his resurrection (see PNT Ac 1:21). He commanded us to preach unto the people. In the Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20 Mr 16:14-18). To him give all the prophets witness. By their testimony of the Christ, which is so prominent a feature of prophecy. See Isa 53:11 55:1-3 Joe 2:32.

That through his name, etc. Three important facts are stated: (1) that remission of sins is in the name of Christ; (2) that it is only granted on condition of belief upon him; that is, trust in his name; (3) that "whosoever believes" thus, Jew or Gentile, shall receive remission of sins. The Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. The kinsmen and intimate friends of Cornelius, as well as on him (Ac 10:24). They of the circumcision. The Jews who went with Peter. They were astonished that the Holy Spirit should fall on Gentiles. This miraculous outpouring was extraordinary, and the object is plain, viz: to convince Peter and his fellow Jews that God had accepted the Gentiles; the same reason for which Peter's vision had been given. This is the only instance recorded of the Spirit falling on unbaptized persons. This exception is made to convince the Jewish Christians that uncircumcised Gentiles were fit subjects of baptism. Peter had to recall this fact in order to convince the church at Jerusalem that he had done right (Ac 11:2,3,15). As on Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell on Jews, so now when Gentiles receive the Gospel they are baptized with the Holy Spirit (Ac 11:15,16). Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized? Peter's scruples were overcome. He was now satisfied that the gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews. God had made no difference in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He asks his Jewish brethren if any man can give a reason why they should not be baptized. Wesley says: ``How easily is the question decided if we take the word of God for our rule. Either men have received the Holy Spirit, or not. If they have not, then "Repent", saith God, "and be baptized, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Ac 2:38). If they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, then "who can forbid water"?'' Commanded them to be baptized. All who heard and upon whom the Holy Spirit fell.

In the name of the Lord. In acknowledgment of his authority. All the baptisms of Acts are "in" his name, but "into" the names of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

‏ Acts 11:4-18

But Peter rehearsed [the matter] from the beginning. Thus showing that he acted under the Divine orders. See notes in preceding chapter. These six brethren accompanied me. These were brethren of Joppa, but Peter had taken them to Jerusalem to confirm his words. He knew his course would be called into question. Whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. Note the import of these words of the angel to Cornelius: (1) Notwithstanding his prayers, alms, devotion, and justice, he was not yet saved. Only the gospel could save him. God's mercy was shown in bringing him the gospel. (2) This is the first instance named in Acts of a household baptism. Were there any infants? Who are meant is seen by reference to "his kinsmen and near friends" (Ac 10:24). These "heard" (Ac 10:44), were baptized with the Holy Spirit (Ac 10:45), and baptized in water (Ac 10:47,48). As on us at the beginning. Note that Peter compares the outpouring on the Gentiles with that of the day of Pentecost. He calls both instances "baptisms of the Holy Spirit". Miraculous signs accompanied each instance. Have we a right to speak of a baptism of the Holy Spirit without such signs? The gift of the Holy Spirit with its fruit (Ga 5:22,23) is promised to every obedient believer, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit seems to have been extraordinary and special. Note also that Peter calls the Day of Pentecost "the Beginning". The Beginning of what? Of the preaching of the New Covenant, of the Great Commission, of the conditions of the gospel under the reign of the exalted King and Savior, of the church of Christ on earth. What was I, that I could withstand God? All these extraordinary signs were then given in order to show Peter and the Jewish Christians that the Gentiles were also accepted. They held their peace. Gave up the controversy. They were convinced by the account, and assured that

God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life; i.e., had removed the barriers in the way of the Gentiles repenting and finding life through Christ.