Well, That Changes Everything
Well, that Changes Everything
Acts 10-11:18
The Internet. Television Remotes. Air Conditioning. Cliff Notes. Weighted Blankets. Your First Child. The Steam Engine. Airplanes. Hiroshima. 9/11. Guacamole. Nutella. Netflix. Acts 10-11. What do they all have in common? After discovering all these things someone inevitably said, “Well, that changes everything.” There are certain inventions and discoveries and events that shift the way we view or experience the world. After discovering or experiencing something so profound, it shifts the way you view the world. Acts 10-11 is one of those, “Well, that changes everything,” discoveries. Once you understand Acts 10-11, your whole perspective shifts; life as you know it forever changes. Many of the issues addressed in the Scriptures that needed correction in the early church were from a failure to fully grasp God’s intervention in Acts 10-11. Acts 10-11 are hinge chapters in the history of the church. They are a really big deal.
As we walk through this text, I want you to experience how Cornelius, Peter and the entire early church would have experienced the events from Acts 10-11 and why after Acts 11:18 that would have said, “Well, that changes everything.” And maybe even God would reveal something in your life today where you could say the same.
The Visions
Luke shared two stories of the Apostle Peter’s ministry highlighting how the Lord Jesus is continuing to act in the Holy Spirit through the apostles just like he did when he was on the earth. Jesus called a paralyzed man to rise, pick up his bed and walk. And he did. Peter called a paralyzed man to rise, pick up his bed and walk. And he did. Jesus took the hand of a dead person and said, “Arise.” And she arose. Peter took the hand of a dead person and said, “Arise.” And she arose. Luke is highlighting how the risen Lord Jesus is continuing to move and act through the power of the Holy Spirit.
And at the end of chapter 9, Luke provides a foreshadowing of the events that will cover the next two chapters. “And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.” First, Joppa was where Jonah fled to after God told him to go to the Ninevehites, the Gentiles, to preach repentance and salvation. Jonah did not want to preach salvation to the Gentiles so he went to Joppa. Second, Peter was staying at Simon’s the tanner’s house. A tanner would have worked with dead animal carcasses which would have been an unclean occupation for the Jewish people. God did not send a Pharisee to Simon’s house, but Peter, a fisherman. As one commenter notes, “This is worth pointing out in view of the story that follows in Acts 10 about unclean human beings. Peter, not known for his consistency (cf. Galatians 2), had no problems of conscience (apparently) about staying with an unclean Jew, but balked at unclean Gentiles.” Peter could handle staying with an unclean Jew, but could not comprehend, like Jonah, going to unclean Gentiles.
There will be a lot of repetition in the following verses. The repetition serves as Luke’s way of emphasizing the events in these chapters. Repetition shows importance. Acts 10:1–8,
[1] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, [2] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. [3] About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” [4] And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” [7] When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, [8] and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Cornelius was a centurion. Centurions were to be men who were “good leaders, of steady and prudent mind” (Polybius, Hist. 6.24.8; Bruce 1990: 252). Luke describes Cornelius as a devout man who feared God, gave to the poor and prayed continually. One of the consistent signs Luke gives for someone’s spiritual character is how often they pray.
Cornelius encounters an angel of God in a vision. And notice Cornelius response was terror, as God’s angels are terrifying, and obedience, “What is it Lord?” It is curious how a Gentile sees this vision and immediately wants to know how to obey, while the Jew, Peter, will question God’s command. I would also remind you of the main audience of Acts is Theophilus, a God fearer. This story would have particularly piqued the interest of the recipient of this book. In verse 4, the angel said to Cornelius, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” As Witherington comments, “Luke is suggesting that the prayers and the alms of this Gentile were accepted by God in lieu of the sacrifices which he was not allowed to enter the Temple to offer himself. In other words, God had acted to break down barriers between Jew and Gentile by treating the prayers and alms of a Gentile as equivalent to the sacrifice of Jew.” Cornelius was not allowed into the temple because he was unclean and therefore unaccepted by God according to Jewish law. And now we see God intervening to break down barriers between Jew and Gentile. It is difficult to read these chapters and not see God is the one orchestrating these events. And this is very significant.
After God reveals himself to Cornelius, God then reveals himself to the Apostle Peter who is also praying. I love how Luke notes that Peter became hungry while he was praying and became distracted by his appetite. (Well, that changes everything. I am not only one)Acts 10:9–16,
[9] The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. [10] And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance [11] and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” [14] But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” [15] And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” [16] This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
God gives Peter a command, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” And Peter responds, “By no means, Lord.” Beloved, we should never combine those two words, “No, Lord.” When we choose to follow God, our response should always be, “Yes, Lord. Your servant is listening.” And Peter doesn’t say no once, but apparently three times. The key declaration, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” Peter was confused about the vision. He didn’t know what it meant, but he wasn’t given a lot of time to think about it for God had sent him visitors.
The Visitation
Acts 10:17–20,
[17] Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate [18] and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. [19] And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. [20] Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
The Holy Spirit spoke to Peter very directly. He does not give him any room to misunderstand, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” Acts 10:21–23,
[21] And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” [22] And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” [23] So he invited them in to be his guests.
Peter brings them into the house and invites them as his guests. This sign of hospitality is a sign of true fellowship. Peter will soon say to Cornelius, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” Peter’s invitation to these men as guests into his home reveals that Peter understood the vision. He did not hesitate to associate himself with him.
I pray this will be a regular occurrence in our congregation to welcome one another into each other’s homes. Hospitality is a powerful sign of acceptance and relationship. I believe extending hospitality is especially important for our newer members. They need to feel they are accepted and welcomed into our lives. Peter invited them to be his guests and then, Acts 10:23–33,
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. [24] And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. [28] And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
[30] And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. [32] Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ [33] So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Cornelius was ready. He was a centurion and a man of action. And he was also a man of hope. He gathered his relatives and close friends to hear what God wanted to say to them. He is expecting to hear good news and wants his closest friends to share in the moment. And they model what all of God’s people should be like, they were eager to hear from God.
One of my convictions of the church is that the Word of God should be taught and the people of God should be eager to listen. When we are not eager to gather with the church, we are showing ourselves as those who are not eager to listen. Our church gatherings should not be centered around opinions, but on God’s Word. And if they are centered on God’s Word, we as God’s people, should be eager to come and to bring our closest friends and family with us to hear from God.
Peter has visited Cornelius and his family and friends, but now God will visit them by his Word and Spirit. Friend, if you are here and are not a Christian, what we are about to read I would ask for you to pay particular attention to. Peter is about to preach the gospel or the good news of Christianity. The words he will share with Cornelius and his family will change everything about their lives. These words changed everything about my life. Peter’s words are going to address the deepest problem of every human heart. Sin. Sin has separated us from God. The Bible teaches it, but we know it even if we didn’t read it. We know deep down we are guilty. We know we rightly deserve to be punished for the wrong we have done. What are we to do with our sin? How can we overcome it? How can we be made right with God? Friend, these words are a, “Well, that changes everything,” kind of words. So I pray you would listen to what Peter has to say with the same eagerness Cornelius and his family did when they gathered that day. Acts 10:34–43,
[34] So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. [36] As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), [37] you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, [40] but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, [41] not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. [43] To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Peter shares the gospel. He shared the historical event of Jesus Christ living on the earth doing signs and wonders and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit in true perfection, how Jesus Christ was hanged on a tree but was raised on the third day. The resurrection revealed that Jesus Christ is the judge of the living and dead. Jesus Christ is the hinge of history. He is the one who changes everything. He was promised to come ever since sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden that he would crush the serpent’s head and defeat death. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He is the Lord of all.
It is absolutely astounding that the Lord of all would take the form of a servant and die a sinner’s death. The cross of Jesus Christ is absolutely breathtaking, but it is only breathtaking because of the resurrection. The resurrection proves he is Lord of all. The resurrection proves he is the judge of the living and dead. The resurrection proves he has the power to forgive sin.
Cornelius and his family and friends were not allowed in the temple. They were not allowed near the presence of God because they were Gentiles. Can you imagine how beautiful Peter’s words sounded in their ears, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him….everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” No partiality. Anyone who fears him. Everyone who believes in him. “Well, that changes everything.” Friend, if you call upon Jesus Christ as Lord he will give you forgiveness of your sins through his name. Oh friend, do not delay. Turn to Christ and be forgiven.
Cornelius and his relatives and close friends heard Peter’s words and the unthinkable happened. Acts 10:44–46,
[44] While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. [45] And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. [46] For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
God extended his salvation to the Gentiles. God shows no partiality. The believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles for they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. The Holy Spirit visited the Gentiles. And beloved, this changes everything. Almost all, if not all, gathered here today are Gentiles. We are not Jewish by heritage, but have been grafted into God’s people through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. The Holy Spirit visibly and publicly fell upon the Gentiles living no doubt to anyone that God saves “even” the Gentiles.
The Interpretation
Acts 10-11 is one of the most important chapters in the book of Acts. Luke provides the outline for the whole book in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We have seen God demonstrate his saving power in Jerusalem (Acts 2), in Judea and Samaria, (Acts 8), and now we see God extending his salvation to the end of the earth. Salvation for the Gentiles was always part of God’s plan but it was one of the hardest things for the Jewish people to believe.
Genesis 12:1-3,
[1] Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
And Isaiah 49:6,
[6] he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
There are allusions and glimpses throughout the Old Testament of God extending his salvation to the ends of the earth, but in Acts 10-11, we see it realized.
And this would have been profound for the Jews. As I finish reading this account, let me draw your attention to several verses which help us interpret these events for the church, Acts 10:47, Acts 11:15, and Acts 11:17-18. We have already read Acts 10:43, and Acts 10:46 which show the connections to Acts 2 and Pentecost, “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (43) and “Speaking in tongues and extolling God,” (46). Luke is making it clear that what happened to these Gentiles is what happened to the Jews at Pentecost, but he makes it explicit in the following verses. Take note of these verses, Acts 10:47, Acts 11:15, and Acts 11:17, and the final conclusion in verse 18. Luke writes in Acts 10:47–11:18,
[47] “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. [1] Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. [2] So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, [3] “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Remember, the “Well that changes everything,” moment had not yet happened to the Jewish believers. They needed the full explanation
[4] But Peter began and explained it to them in order: [5] “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. [6] Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. [7] And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ [8] But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ [9] But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ [10] This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. [11] And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. [12] And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. [13] And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; [14] he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ [15] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. [16] And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ [17] If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” [18] When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Emphasis added)
It is hard for us to understand how shocking this revelation would have been to the Jews, but notice their response to the news, “When they heard these things they fell silent.” And in their heads they were saying, “Well, this changes everything.”
It will take the rest of the New Testament to help the early church more fully grasp the events of Acts 10-11. The big idea is God shows no partiality. He saves both Jew and Gentile the same way through faith in life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The book of Galatians, Ephesians and Romans all unpack this concept. We need to understand this concept in two ways.
First, we can be accepted by God through Jesus Christ. Beloved, God shows no partiality. No matter what you have done. No matter what sins once enslaved you. The cross of Jesus Christ says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Everyone is in the same boat. And everyone who believes in Jesus will receive forgiveness of sins. You can be forgiven, but only forgiven through Jesus Christ. I love how the Holy Spirit inspired Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
[9] Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
It does not matter what kind of sins you come with, if you come to Christ, you will be washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of Almighty God.
Second, Salvation is open to all people. It is not determined by birthright or gender or ethnicity, but on the basis of Jesus Christ alone. Galatians 3:27–29,
[27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
We are all children of Abraham through faith, heirs according to the promise. God shows no partiality but makes us all one in Christ. To what end? To display his manifold wisdom to the world.
I think a key text for us to meditate on as a church would be Ephesians 2-3. Let me read beginning in Ephesians 3:6-12,
[6] This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. [7] Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. [8] To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, [10] so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. [11] This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, [12] in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Our unity as a church as one body with people with different ethnic backgrounds, social status, education, gender displays the manifold wisdom of God. Acts 10-11 bring to reality the eternal purpose of God that has been realized in Christ Jesus that all of us, regardless of where we come from, are one in Christ.
Beloved, God shows no partiality. We must fight to do the same. We must love all people in the body of Christ. If you are single, get to know those who aren’t. If you are young, get to know those who aren’t. If you are wealthy, get to know those who aren’t. If you are a homeschooler, get to know those who aren’t. If you have lots of education, get to know those who aren’t. If you are male, get to know the women of the church. If you have been here awhile, get to know those who are new. God shows no partiality. And every time we welcome those who are different from us, we give a glimpse to the world of the manifold wisdom of God. And when people see our fellowship and hear our doctrine they too may say, “Well, that changes everything.”
The end goal is not unity. The end goal is not a happy, healthy church. The end goal is the glory of God. The early church heard what God did for the Gentiles. Acts 11:18, “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” They glorified God. Beloved, God shows no partiality. He saves all who are in Christ. Let us welcome all with empty tomb affections so the manifold wisdom of God may be displayed and the glory of our great God may spread to the end of the earth.