Lessons From Acts – Lesson 14
When Jesus came and walked this earth He first went to the house of Israel. That was the primary focus. And one place we see that is in Mat chapter 10 when He sent out His disciples.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
We know Jesus did not only go to the Jews, He must needs go thru Samaria and He dealt with the woman at the well and then the entire town.
And when a woman of Canaan came crying for mercy because her daughter was vexed by a devil Jesus said.
Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
She then displayed faith and Jesus said.
Mat 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
So it is not that Jesus would only deal with the Jews. Jesus showed that He cared about and loved Gentiles He just primarily went to Israel first. They were the primary focus first.
And if you think back to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob this makes sense. And then even later at Mount Sinai.
God made a covenant with Abraham and God promised that of Abraham He would make a great nation. God confirmed that Covenant with Isaac and then Jacob.
And then after God did multiply them and delivered them out of Egypt He made that Covenant again with the nation at Mount Sinai.
Exo_19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
And they said it multiple times. They had an agreement together. And God kept His side of it faithfully.
And thru all those centuries since then God sent promise after promise to them. So it fits and is right that when Jesus came that the primary focus would be upon these people to whom many promises were made.
So they were given first chance to respond to Jesus. And we see this continue in the book of Acts.
Peter preached and 3,000 got saved, later Peter preached on the Temple grounds and 5,000 got saved. All Jews. When there was an issue with the widows, it was Grecian Jews. Jews who were more influenced by the Greek culture.
When they went to Samaria, those people had some Jewish blood in them and had some Jewish history. At least a little bit.
When Philip went to the chariot with the Eunuch from Ethiopia. Some think that just because you are from Ethiopia that you are black. But they don’t look at history and how wicked kings would capture people, make them slaves and Eunuchs.
This Eunuch had risen in the ranks and was allowed to go worship in Jerusalem. I really think it fits that he was Jewish. And since anyone could become a practicing Jew he could have been a black Ethiopian who converted to Judaism. It could be either way, but he was a practicing Judaism. He went to temple to worship.
Last week we saw Peter traveling but just in the areas close to Jerusalem. The man he healed was Jewish, the disciples that called him to Joppa were Jewish. Tabitha was Jewish.
It is true that thousands and thousands of Jews got saved, but untold thousands more rejected Jesus. We know this because the persecution in Jerusalem that forced the believers to scatter and go start churches, that persecution did not come from Rome.
It was Jews persecuting the new Jewish believers. It was people picking up where Paul left off. Percentage wise the Jews were overwhelmingly rejecting Jesus.
So now in God’s timing, In His Sovereignty, It is time to change the focus. The Primary focus will now be the Gentiles. O’ He will still have mercy and take time and deal with Jews. But the primary focus will now be on the Gentiles.
This is going to be a rough transition for many to accept.
Act 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
This man was not a Jew.
Act 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
But he worshiped the true God and gave to the poor and he was a man of prayer. He just has not heard about Jesus and is a gentile. And without getting saved he will go to hell. Even though he is giving and praying. He has to hear about Jesus and accept Him as Saviour with a repentant heart.
God sees this man. God knows he will accept Him when he hears the truth. So God works. God moves a man to get him the truth. This is a principal that applies even today. God is not willing that any should perish.
I will never forget a book I read called cowboy boots in wildest Africa. A preacher went there and was burdened to preach to a specific pygmy tribe. I will not tell the entire story. They were getting nowhere and those with the preacher tried to get him to move on.
But God had burdened him. After several days he had success and preached the gospel to them. One of them got saved. And afterwards he said I thought that it must be something like that and then the pygmy told of how a while back he had climbed the highest tree he could find and prayed and in his prayer he expressed things like
I know there must be a God. And not like what we are worshipping. And He asked for the true God to reveal Himself. The man wanted to worship the true God, he just did not know who it was. So God moved and sent a man half way around the world just to tell him.
God knows all about Cornelius and lets him know that he will send a man to him and that Cornelius only has to send for him.
Act 10:3 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.
Act 10:4 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 memorial before God.
Act 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
Act 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Act 10:7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
Act 10:8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
So in faith Cornelius sends three men for Peter.
Meanwhile God starts working on Peter. In fact God is going to have to work much harder on Peter to get Peter to move in faith than he did on Cornelius. The Lord told Cornelius what he needed to do and he just quickly did it in faith. Not so with Peter.
Act 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Act 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
Act 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Act 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Act 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Act 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Act 10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
The meaning of the vision is clear. Peter saw the Gentiles as unclean. The creeping things on the sheet stood for Gentiles. And these things on the sheet, which stood for Gentiles, came down from Heaven.
Meaning they were God’s creation. He made them also. They are also made in the image of God just like the Jews are. All mankind is made in the image of God.
God is hammering this home to Peter. It was repeated 3 times. And God tells him Rise Peter and eat. A way of saying get involved in this Peter. Take action. Partake in this.
And a warning What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
And we see God using His almighty power in the circumstances of life. God timed it so that as soon as the vision was over the men were at the gate.
Act 10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
Act 10:18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
Act 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Act 10:20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Act 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
Act 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
Act 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
I believe that God moved in the hearts of some of the men in Joppa to go with Peter so that there would be more than one witness as to what is about to happen. God said early on in His word that by two or three witnesses is a matter established.
This is going to be a huge change in direction and focus. God wants this change established. So it stands to reason that God moved so that there would be several witnesses.
Act 10:24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
Act 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Act 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Act 10:29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
It was not just me saying it. Peter clearly says it here. They looked at Gentiles as unclean and had even made a rule and put it into their volumes of manmade rules. Of course this rule did not come from God. Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
And this shows that Peter understood the meaning of the vison and clearly gives it here. The vision was teaching that Peter should not call any man unclean. And so to Peter’s credit he put the Word of God over the traditions of men.
He put what God said over what their manmade rule book said. And Peter went without delay.
Act 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Act 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Act 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
Act 10:33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
A willing open heart to hear the truth. That is a wonderful thing. Somewhat of a rare thing today in our fallen society. God sees every heart that is like this, and God works to get them His Word. And He uses men to do it.
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Act 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Act 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Act 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Act 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
So Peter tells of the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus.
Act 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
And Peter makes sure to mention that Jesus is the judge that everyone will meet when they die. So you need to be ready for judgment and then Peter clearly gives how you get ready.
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
How do you deal with your sin. Peter tells them. That through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
They hear this and believe it. And this is great. They do not have to walk an aisle. They do not have to repeat a specific prayer. They get saved while Peter is still talking. As soon as they believed in their hearts they were saved.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The witnesses that came with Peter were all Jews. And they were astonished. It was a shock to them. They are seeing with their own eyes how God is now turning to the Gentiles.
And God then gives them visible evidence that God accepts them the same as He does Jews who get saved.
The first evidence that the Holy Spirit came was the Jews spoke with tongues and so the first time a group of Gentiles get saved God they do the same sign. It is showing them that they are equal. That God can use them on the same level.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Peter takes the journey. Since they can get saved just like we can, and since God can use them in the same powerful way, then they can get baptized just like us as well.
None of the other Jews with Peter could argue with what they saw. And so they baptized this group of gentiles in the name of the Lord.
The new believers then wanted to learn. That is always a wonderful thing. To see people who get saved, want to grow and learn and please their Lord.
Peter stays a while. Teaches them some things and will head back to Jerusalem. The tide is turning. A new direction, a new focus has started. God is now turning the primary focus to the Gentiles.