PREVIOUS CHAPTER - NEXT CHAPTER - HELP - GR VIDEOS - GR YOUTUBE - TWITTER - SD1 YOUTUBE CHAPTER 10 Ac 10:1-48. ACCESSION AND BAPTISM OF CORNELIUS AND HIS PARTY; OR, THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THE GENTILES. We here enter on an entirely new phase of the Christian Church, the "opening of the door of faith to the Gentiles"; in other words, the recognition of Gentile, on terms of perfect equality with Jewish, discipleship without the necessity of circumcision. Some beginnings appear to have been already made in this direction (see on Ac 11:20, 21); and Saul probably acted on this principle from the first, both in Arabia and in Syria and Cilicia. But had he been the prime mover in the admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the Church, the Jewish party, who were never friendly to him, would have acquired such strength as to bring the Church to the verge of a disastrous schism. But on Peter, "the apostle" specially "of the circumcision," was conferred the honor of initiating this great movement, as before of the first admission of Jewish believers. (See on Mt 16:19). After this, however, one who had already come upon the stage was to eclipse this "chiefest of the apostles."
1, 2. Cæsarea--(See on
Ac 8:40).
2. A devout man, &c.--an uncircumcised Gentile proselyte to the
Jewish faith, of whom there were a very great number at this time; a
distinguished proselyte, who had brought his whole household
establishment under the hallowing influence of the Jewish faith and the
regular observance of its principal seasons of worship.
3-6. saw . . . evidently--"distinctly."
4. What is it, Lord?--language which, tremulously though it was
uttered, betokened childlike reverence and humility.
5. send to Joppa . . . for one Simon, &c.--(See on Ac 9:11).
7, 8. when the angel . . . was departed, he called--immediately doing
as directed, and thereby showing the simplicity of his faith.
9-16. upon the housetop--the flat roof, the chosen place in the East
for cool retirement.
10. a trance--differing from the "vision" of Cornelius, in so far as the things seen had not the same objective reality, though both were supernatural. 12. all manner of four-footed beasts, &c.--that is, the clean and the unclean (ceremonially) all mixed together.
14. Not so, Lord--See Marginal reference.
15. What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common--The ceremonial distinctions are at an end, and Gentiles, ceremonially separated from the chosen people (Ac 10:28), and debarred from that access to God in the visible ordinances of His Church which they enjoyed, are now on a perfect equality with them. 16. done thrice--See Ge 41:32. 17-24. while Peter doubted . . . what this should mean, behold, the three men . . . stood before the gate . . . and asked--"were inquiring," that is, in the act of doing so. The preparations here made--of Peter for his Gentile visitors, as of Cornelius for him--are devoutly to be noted. But besides this, at the same moment, "the Spirit" expressly informs him that three men were inquiring for him, and bids him unhesitatingly go with them, as sent by Him. 21. I am he whom ye seek--This seems to have been said without any communication being made to Peter regarding the men or their errand.
22. they said, Cornelius . . . a just man, &c.--fine testimony this
from his own servants.
23. called them in and lodged them--thus partially anticipating this
fellowship with Gentiles.
24. Cornelius . . . called together his kinsmen and near friends--implying that he had been long enough at Cæsarea to form relationships there and that he had intimate friends there whose presence he was not ashamed to invite to a religious meeting of the most solemn nature.
25-29. as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him--a mark of the
highest respect.
28. Ye know it is . . . unlawful . . . for . . . a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation, &c.--There was no express prohibition to this effect, and to a Certain extent intercourse was certainly kept up. (See the Gospel history, towards the end). But intimate social fellowship was not practiced, as being adverse to the spirit of the law. 29. I ask therefore, &c.--The whole speech is full of dignity, the apostle seeing in the company before him a new brotherhood, into whose devout and inquiring minds he was divinely directed to pour the light of new truth. 30-33. Four days ago--the messengers being despatched on the first; on the second reaching Joppa (Ac 10:9); starting for Cæsarea on the third; and on the fourth arriving. 33. we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God--Beautiful expression of entire preparedness to receive the expected divine teaching through the lips of this heaven-commissioned teacher, and delightful encouragement to Peter to give free utterance to what was doubtless already on his lips!
34, 35. Peter opened his mouth--(See on
Mt 5:2).
35. But in every nation--not (observe), in every religion; according to a common distortion of these words.
36-38. the word . . . sent unto the children of Israel--for to them
(he would have them distinctly know) the Gospel was first preached, even
as the facts of it took place on the special theater of the ancient
economy.
37. That word . . . ye how--The facts, it seems, were too notorious
and extraordinary to be unknown to those who mixed so much with Jews,
and took so tender an interest in all Jewish matters as they did;
though, like the eunuch, they knew not the significance of them.
38. Now God anointed Jesus of Nazareth--rather, "Jesus of Nazareth
(as the burden of that 'published word'), how God anointed Him."
39-43. we are witnesses of all . . . he did--not objects of
superstitious reverence, but simply witnesses to the great
historical facts on which the Gospel is founded.
40-41. showed him openly; Not to all the people--for it was not
fitting that He should subject Himself, in His risen condition, to a
second rejection in Person.
43. To him give all the prophets witness--that is, This is the burden, generally of the prophetic testimony. It was fitter thus to give the spirit of their testimony, than to quote them in detail on such an occasion. But let GOTO NEXT CHAPTER - D. J-F-B INDEX & SEARCH
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