Acts10

Acts 10 details the divine encounter between Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, and the Apostle Peter. Cornelius receives a vision instructing him to send for Peter, while Peter simultaneously experiences a vision declaring that God has cleansed what was once considered common or unclean. This leads Peter to preach the Gospel to Cornelius's household, resulting in the Holy Ghost falling upon these Gentiles and their subsequent baptism, signifying the inclusion of non-Jews into the Christian faith.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Cornelius's Vision in Caesarea

1
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ​
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. ​
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.
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. ​
5
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. ​
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;
8
And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision of the Unclean Animals

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: ​
10
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, ​
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:
12
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. ​
15
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. ​
16
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Interpreting the Vision and Meeting Messengers

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,
18
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. ​
20
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
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?
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.
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. ​

Peter Arrives at Cornelius's House

24
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ​
26
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
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. ​
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?
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,
31
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
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.
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.

Peter Preaches the Gospel to the Gentiles

34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ​
35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ​
36
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) ​
37
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
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. ​
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:
40
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
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.
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.
43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ​

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ​
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. ​
46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. ​

Study Notes for Acts 10

Verse 1

Cornelius, a Roman centurion (commander of 100 men) stationed in the Roman administrative capital of Caesarea, is introduced. The 'Italian band' suggests he was part of a non-local auxiliary unit.

Verse 2

Cornelius is described as a 'God-fearer,' one who worshiped the God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism. His piety, charity, and constant prayer life demonstrate his spiritual readiness for God's revelation.

Verse 4

The angel assures Cornelius that his acts of devotion have been noticed and remembered by God (come up for a memorial). This established the divine initiative behind the mission to the Gentiles.

Verse 6

Peter’s lodging with Simon the tanner is significant. Tanners dealt with dead animals, making their trade ritually unclean according to strict Jewish standards, foreshadowing the need for Peter to overcome purity laws.

Verse 9

Peter went up to the housetop to pray around noon (the sixth hour). The setting emphasizes the divine nature of the upcoming event, as Peter is in a state of spiritual anticipation.

Verse 10

Peter fell into a trance (Greek: *ekstasis*), a state of spiritual rapture or altered consciousness, necessary for receiving a revelation that would radically challenge his deeply held Jewish beliefs.

Verse 14

Peter’s refusal demonstrates his faithful adherence to the Mosaic dietary laws (Leviticus 11). He is unwilling to violate the traditional purity requirements that defined Jewish identity.

Verse 15

This statement is the theological centerpiece of the vision. While concerning food laws, its primary application is spiritual: God has removed the ritual barriers, meaning no person (Gentile) should be deemed 'common or unclean' for fellowship.

Verse 19

The Holy Spirit directly connects Peter’s symbolic vision of the sheet with the practical reality of the Gentile messengers waiting downstairs, confirming the mission's divine origin.

Verse 23

Peter took six Jewish believers from Joppa with him (as confirmed in Acts 11:12). These men served as crucial witnesses, validating the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit on the Gentiles.

Verse 25

Cornelius’s act of worship shows he viewed Peter as a divine agent. Peter immediately rejects this, reinforcing the theological truth that worship is reserved for God alone.

Verse 28

Peter acknowledges the traditional Jewish custom that forbade fellowship with Gentiles to maintain ritual purity. He states that his vision has now shown him that this custom is superseded by God's new directive regarding all humanity.

Verse 34

This is a pivotal moment in Acts. Peter realizes the universality of God’s plan: God is 'no respecter of persons,' meaning favor is not based on ethnic background or national identity (Jew or Gentile).

Verse 35

Acceptance by God is based on fearing Him and working righteousness, emphasizing that true piety, regardless of nationality, prepares one for receiving the gospel.

Verse 36

Peter affirms Jesus Christ as 'Lord of all,' establishing his authority over both Jewish and Gentile worlds, providing the theological basis for the inclusion of Cornelius’s household.

Verse 38

This verse summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry: anointed by the Holy Spirit at baptism, performing good works, and demonstrating power over spiritual oppression.

Verse 43

Peter links the core message—remission (forgiveness) of sins through belief in Jesus—directly to the testimony of the Old Testament prophets, establishing continuity between the covenants.

Verse 44

The Holy Spirit falls unexpectedly *before* baptism or the laying on of hands. This 'Gentile Pentecost' is unprecedented, providing undeniable, immediate proof of God’s acceptance of the Gentiles.

Verse 45

The Jewish believers ('they of the circumcision') were astonished. This miraculous event shattered the strict ethnic and ritual boundaries they previously believed governed salvation.

Verse 48

Having received the spiritual reality (the Holy Spirit), Peter commands water baptism. This public rite confirms their entrance into the Christian community and validates their experience before the Jewish witnesses.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options