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Chapter 10 — Cornelius, the Roman centurion, is converted.

vv. 1-8 — Cornelius is a soldier, but a deeply religious man — devout,fearing God, giving generously to the people, and praying much. With allthese good marks to his credit, he is not saved and these works do not makehim a Christian. The Spirit of God directs him to send for Simon Peter inJoppa.

vv. 9-22 — The Holy Spirit prepares Peter for this missionary journey.In prayer on the housetop he becomes very hungry, and is placed in a trance.A sheet let down from heaven contains every kind of unclean beast, bird,and bug. Peter is instructed to slay and eat. He calls the Holy Spirit “Lord,”but contradicts his address by refusing to eat (v. 14). As a Jew, he had nevereaten any unclean thing even after Pentecost. Peter wonders about thedream until the knock at the door and the messengers from Corneliusexplain their mission. The Holy Spirit instructs Peter to go with them.

vv. 23-43 — Peter reluctantly enters the home of Cornelius. He does notpermit Cornelius to bow before him, saying that he, too, is only a man.

Peter preaches the death and resurrection of Jesus and he gives the invitationto accept Jesus (v. 43).

vv. 44-48 — This has been labeled the Gentile Pentecost. Peter is astonishedthat Gentiles too have the Holy Spirit poured out upon them — it ismade audible by their speaking in tongues (v. 46). The tongues were moreof an evidence to Peter and the other apostles that God would save Gentiles(see Acts 11:1-18; 15:7-11). Then were the Gentiles in Cornelius’ housebaptized.

The Three Representative Conversions

• Acts 8 — Ethiopian eunuch — Son of Ham
• Acts 9 — Saul of Tarsus — Son of Shem
• Acts 10 — Cornelius, Roman centurion — Son of Japheth

There must be 3 factors that come into focus before there can be a conversion.

All 3 are evident in these representative conversions:

Chapter 11 — Peter recounts the events in connection with the conversionof Gentiles in the house of Cornelius. Antioch becomes the center ofthe Gentile church.

vv. 1-3 — The news of the Gentiles receiving the Word of God did notseem to bring any joy to the church in Jerusalem. They demand of Peter anexplanation of his conduct.

vv. 4-18 — Peter reviews his conduct in detail with the apostles inJerusalem. He is half apologetic (v. 17). He had not envisioned Gentiles inthe church, and he explains that he moved only at the prompting of the HolySpirit. The church in Jerusalem then accepts the fact that Gentiles are to beincorporated into the body of believers with them (v. 18).

vv. 19-21 — Antioch becomes the center of evangelism as many differentraces are converted and a strong church is formed.

vv. 22-24 — Barnabas is sent to Antioch by the Jerusalem church. Heministers the Word to them.

vv. 25, 26 — Barnabas needs a helper and he knows that Saul wouldmake a good one. He goes to Tarsus to find him. “Christian” was the namegiven to believers in Antioch (v. 26). It may have been given in derision, butmore likely it simply implied a follower of Christ.

vv. 27-30 — A prophet by the name of Agabus predicted a famine whichcame to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Tacitus confirms the fact of thefamine. It motivated the church in Antioch to send relief to the church inJerusalem.

Chapter 12 — Persecution strikes through Herod Agrippa I, grandsonof Herod the Great. Peter in prison is miraculously delivered. The deathof Herod is a judgment from God.

vv. 2, 3 — James, brother of John, is executed by Herod. Peter is imprisoned.God, by His sovereign will and purpose, permits James to be executed,but He delivers Peter.

v. 4 — “Easter” should be “the Passover.”

v. 5 — The church in Jerusalem prays for Peter.

v. 6 — Peter could sleep in prison!

vv. 7-11 — “The angel” should be “an angel,” as Christ was the angel ofthe Lord in the Old Testament. An angel delivers Peter, and the prayer of thechurch is answered.

v. 12 — The church met in homes, as there were no church buildings atthis time. Note the home in which they were meeting — Mary’s, the motherof Mark.

vv. 13-15 — Although the church prayed, their faith was small — theythought he had been executed. “It is his angel” should be “It is his spirit” (v.15) — they couldn’t believe their prayers were answered.

v. 19 — Note the cold-blooded and hard-hearted attitude of Herod towardhuman life.

vv. 20-23 — Herod, like Nebuchadnezzar, is lifted up by pride. Herodtried to act like a god (v. 22). His death is God’s judgment upon him. Godis jealous of His glory (v. 23).

vv. 24, 25 — In the midst of persecution and opposition, the churchgrows and prospers.

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