Acts 10:24-48 "House of Cornelius"

Whenever I notice I’m coming in contact with the same person over and over—maybe they’re at the front desk of the gym, or a barista at a coffee shop, or a server at a restaurant—once I notice that I keep seeing them—I start trying to lay the foundation for a real conversation. Because it’s probably not a coincidence. It’s probably God nudging me to say something beyond small talk. I usually play the long game. Just keep it about whatever they seem to be interested in. Ask questions. Make jokes. Keep it short. Try to do the George Costanza thing where you leave on a high note—If I make them laugh, it’s time to go! Which can be awkward if it happens while I’m ordering lunch.

The goal is to build enough of a relationship to have a real conversation. Otherwise, I’ll just walk through life with this nagging feeling that I should be talking to people about my faith but never actually doing it.

And what are the reasons why I don’t bring it up?

Because there’s just too much pressure to say the right thing. How do you even start? Talking to strangers about religion is weird. No one wakes up and thinks, 'I hope I can make things really awkward by bringing up Jesus today.'

Jim Gaffigan has a routine where he says, “Does anything make you feel more uncomfortable than some stranger going, I'd like to talk to you about Jesus? You could say that to the pope.”I want to talk to you about Jesus.” He'd be like, “Easy, freak. I keep work at work. You have to admit, that was a good impression of the pope.”

We’ve all felt it though, right? A little nudge that maybe we should say something, that we believe in Jesus, invite them to church—anything about our faith. But, it’s too intimidating. We think we have to be super eloquent or have all the answers. Don’t want to start a conversation that we can’t finish. Don’t want them to start asking questions that we might not know the answers to. Don’t want to get in an argument. 

But what if it’s not that complicated. What if all God is ever really asking us to do is just share our own story—something we’re the actual best expert on! Just be willing to talk about our own experience. What Jesus means to us. They can’t argue with our story, our experience. We don’t have to try and get them to believe it, all we have to do is tell them what we believe. What our experience with Jesus and the Gospel and church is. 

That’s what Peter is going to do in today’s lesson. He’s going to be in an extremely awkward situation talking to people that are very intimidating—he’s going to be very uncomfortable—but he’s just going to tell his story about his experience with Jesus, and it’s going to be very powerful. That’s all we’re called to do, too.

We started this story last week—the continuing adventures of the apostle Peter. He was the leader of the disciples when they were with Jesus before the crucifixion and resurrection, and he continues to be the leader of the apostles now that Jesus has ascended back to heaven.

He was going around  checking on all the Christians who had fled from persecution in Jerusalem to outlying towns in Judea. While he was in Joppa, staying at the house of a tanner, God gave him a vision of all the unclean animals that Jews weren’t allowed to eat—God said to kill them and eat them. Peter was not pleased with the idea of eating disgusting food but after arguing with God a few times, it finally made it through his thick skull and he got the point. It wasn’t just about what meat is on the menu, it means God wants him to fellowship with Gentiles and share the Gospel with them. That point was driven home by the timing of three Gentiles showing up just as the vision ended, asking him to go with them to a Roman centurion’s house thirty miles away.

Peter surprises us by inviting the Gentiles to eat with him and stay the night—they leave in the morning and travel all day. Chapter ten… 

They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. Acts 10:24

Cornelius was a wealthy and powerful leader in the Italian Regiment. He was also what was known as a “God-fearer,” a Gentile who believed in Yahweh and went to synagogue for prayer and Scripture. He was still an uncircumcised Roman soldier who paid no attention to the dietary laws or other Jewish religious laws. He obviously had not kept his faith to himself, which is impressive considering how risky it would have been for a centurion to talk to his friends and family—even his men—about a non-Roman god.

As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” Acts 10:25-26

This isn’t quite as bad as it sounds. The word translated as worship, simply means to bow down or kneel before someone. He’s not worshiping Peter as God—he’s not breaking the first Commandment—he’s bowing in reverence before him like he would for the emperor. It’s an amazing show of humility and honor, especially for a big shot Roman like Cornelius to bow like this before a lowly Jewish man, someone who had hardly any rights as part of an occupied people—it’s such a radical reversal of power. But Cornelius sees Peter as a divinely appointed messenger from God and wants to show his respect. Peter is not at all comfortable with it, “Stand up, man! There’s nothing special about me.”

So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled. 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. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” Acts 10:27-29

Cornelius had gathered a congregation for Peter to preach. His enthusiasm about God was contagious. 

Peter goes into the house, sees all those Gentiles. Hmm. He knows he’s supposed to be there, that God wants him to be there, but it still feels wrong. Like he just walked into a room filled with Gentile cooties. We know he feels this way because he’s kind of weird about it, he starts saying the quiet parts out loud, “You know it’s against our Jewish rules to hang out with unclean heathens like you guys—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. Hi, I’m Peter. I’m not Gentile—not that there’s anything wrong with it.” The struggle between law and grace, tradition and change, being around people who are different than us—those are still things we struggle with.

You ever been invited to someone’s house and think, “What’s the catch?” Is this some kind of Tupperware party or multi-level marketing pitch—is someone going to talk about timeshares? Peter has no idea what this is about, “So, why did you send for me? Why am I here?”

Well, Cornelius doesn’t really know either so he tells his story… 

Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” Acts 10:30-33

He tells him about the angel, how God heard his prayers, noticed his generosity, and told him to send for Peter, by name. Knew exactly where he was staying. That had to be a little mind-blowing—even for Peter who had definitely seen some amazing things.

Basically he thanks Peter for coming and says, “So, go on! Me and all my friends can’t wait to hear whatever it is God wants you to tell us!”

Can we just pause the story here for a minute? They had gathered at the house of Cornelius with eager expectation for whatever God was going to say through the preacher. Has there ever been a better picture of what it’s supposed to look like when the church gathers? 

Well, at least now Peter knows how he got his number. God went to a lot of trouble to set this meeting up. It wasn’t Cornelius’ idea, it wasn’t Peter’s idea. This is a perfect example of how God is the One who pursues His people—that includes you and me. Which is a good reminder that He goes before us to the people He wants us to share our faith with, too.

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.  Acts 10:34-35

Peter’s like, “I guess God will let anyone in.” This had to be hard for him to get his head around. Jesus came to save the Jews—he always understood that. Jesus was a Jew, Peter was Jew, the Jews thought of themselves as God’s chosen people. But then Philip went to Samaria and started baptizing Samaritans—even a sorcerer named Simon. That was a little harder for Peter to swallow but he got there, once he saw God pouring the Holy Spirit out on the Samaritans. Fine. Jews and their heretic cousins the Samaritans—that’s who Jesus came to save. But now… Peter’s starting to get the big picture. There’s no end to this, God has no national or ethnic favorites at all. He wants to offer the Gospel to all the nations—even Gentiles. The pig-dog, unclean, barbarians who tortured and oppressed his people for thousands of years. 

Peter’s about to preach the Gospel to people he considered to be his enemies up until about three days ago. In every nation, God accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. Yes, it was offered to Israel first but Jesus isn’t only Lord of the Jews.

This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36

Jesus had said, after the resurrection, that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him. Jesus is Lord of all.

Peter doesn’t have a sermon prepared, he’s just going to tell them what he saw when he was with Jesus. His speech follows the general flow of the Gospel of Mark, which is significant because the Gospel of Mark is traditionally understood as being written by a disciple of Peter’s named John Mark—basically Mark wrote an account of the life and times of Jesus based on Peter’s preaching.

So, he starts telling his story.

You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Acts 10:37

John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus by calling the Jewish people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Peter was with Jesus when He went out to see John and was baptized, but Jesus wasn’t baptized for His own sin—He didn’t have any—He was baptized for our sin. He was also anointed as the promised prophet, priest, and king—the Messiah—in that moment when the Son of God was standing in the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and the Father said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Trinity anointing the human nature of Jesus of Nazareth with the office of the Christ. The Messiah, the promised Savior who makes peace between God and man. This is the ordination of Jesus’ public ministry.

Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem.  Acts 10:38

This is a summary. I’m sure Peter got into some specific stories, repeated some of the parables and teachings—basically the Gospel of Mark. He probably told it breathlessly like an action movie—couldn’t talk fast enough. Then he gets to that final chapter where all seems lost just before the big happy ending… 

They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Acts 10:39

The house of Cornelius is on the edge of their seats. They’re listening to every word, hanging on every thought. Where is this story going? God sent a man, who is also God, the eternal Son of God, to do miracles and they killed Him? What? They’re like, “Oh no! That’s awful!” And Peter’s like, “That’s what we thought too, but then He rose from the dead!” Everyone’s all, “Whoa! Then what?”

Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. Acts 10:40-41

Jesus came back from the dead and hung out with Peter and the disciples for 40 days—eating and drinking with Him. They had to be wondering, “Well, where is Jesus now? When can we meet Him?”

Peter continues… 

And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Acts 10:42-43

I’m sure he also told them about Jesus ascending to heaven, that would be a strange point to leave out. But this is the message God sent Peter to tell them, “You all need to believe what I’m telling you about Jesus—everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven because of His life, death, and resurrection.”

Peter didn’t even have a chance to say, “So, what do you think? Is anyone going to believe in Jesus today? With every head bowed and every eye closed.” No, they were already all in. They came to faith and were saved right there in their seats.

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Acts 10:44-45

In the second chapter of Acts when Peter preached in Jerusalem on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jews who believed in Jesus and they spoke in other tongues and praised God. In Samaria when Peter was there, the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit in an obvious way. And now, lookie here, same thing: The Holy Spirit has been given to these Gentiles. Peter and the Jews who were with him wouldn’t have believed it if they didn’t see it with their own eyes and hear it with their own ears. This was proof. Undeniable evidence.

Jerusalem, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 

So, they’re obviously Christians now. Do we still think of them as Gentiles? Peter is going to struggle with this later but for now he understands well enough to do what Jesus said: Go into every nation baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:47-48

Peter’s like, “They’re filled with the Holy Spirit just like we are—go get some water. Let’s make their membership in the church official!” They had a big baptism party, followed by an Italian food themed HangTime feast. Peter probably filled up mostly on garlic bread—tried a few spicy meatballs just to be polite. He ended up staying there for several days, probably teaching more about what it means to follow Jesus, telling more stories from back in the day—answering their questions. What an amazing time.

Peter is not going to be the primary apostle who takes the Gospel to the Gentile world, that’s going to be Paul. But this little mission trip to Caesarea was a big step in the right direction. The Gospel is going to explode in the Gentile world—going to make it all the way to Katy, Texas.

We can’t let it stop with us.

So, back to that awkward feeling of knowing we should share our faith but we don’t really want to most of the time. Either because we don’t think we’re good at it or not sure what the perfect words are.

But that’s not what God expects of us. We don’t have to be good at it. We don’t have to have the perfect words. Peter walked into Cornelius’ house, didn’t even know why he was there, he didn’t have a three point sermon ready—didn’t have the perfect plan. All he did was share his personal story—his own experience with Jesus. And it was exactly what they needed to hear. 

Which is all God asks of us, too. 

God had prepared everyone in advance, He sent an angel, He worked in their hearts and minds.

He did the same for you. Do you remember? He softened you and prepared you so you’d be able to hear about Jesus when the time was right. The Holy Spirit always does the heavy lifting. He prepared the person He sent to you, and He prepared you to listen. He’s doing the same to all the people He has lined up for you to talk with. There’s no pressure on you, other than to be willing when the moment comes.

God didn’t wait for you to come to Him, He chased after you. Jesus came to meet you, where you are, to save you. That was true for Peter, it was true for Cornelius, and it’s true for you. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your status in life is—the death and resurrection of Jesus is for you. The Gospel is the great equalizer, offering grace and peace with God to all who believe. The simple and profound truth is Jesus died for your sins, His resurrection is the promise of your resurrection—your hope by faith is for a new life that begins now and continues forever. Jesus is Lord of all, He’s the reason you have peace with God. 

The pressure is off. Jesus has already done the hard part—on the cross, through His resurrection, and through the Spirit’s work in the world. You’re not responsible for saving anyone or changing their heart. You’re just invited to share the good news that Jesus is already at work.

Peter didn’t know how God was going to use him. He just trusted in God’s direction and timing and whatever He had planned for him. God has the same thing for you. You’re invited to be part of His redemption plan—not only because you have been redeemed and are being saved—but also to be part of the actual redemption work. There are people that God has prepared for you to tell them your story about what Jesus has done in your life. 

So, when you notice that you keep seeing the same person over and over. The next time you feel that nudge, remember—you don’t need the perfect words. You just need to be willing to share your story. God’s already done the hard part; all He’s asking you to do is to show up, tell them what Jesus has done for you, and trust that He’ll do the rest. AMEN