At Caesarea there was a man named

Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.

(10:1)

Caesarea

• Built by Herod the Great• The Roman capital of Judea• Home of administrators (Pilate, etc.)• Completely artificial harbor

• Caesarea was to the Romans what an American military base would be to Americans – homeland on foreign soil

• Thousands of white marble columns

Cornelius the CenturionCornelius the Centurion

• Centurions are highly regarded in the N.T. (Lk. 7:1-10; 23:47)

• Professional soldiers, not thugs

• Commanded 100 men

A Devout God-FearerA Devout God-Fearer

• God-fearers were Gentiles who associated with the Jews but had not become converts.

• They were attracted by the Monotheism and the Morality of the Jews.

• Cornelius prayed and gave to the poor.

Vision of CorneliusVision of Cornelius• Saw a vision of an angel (3)

• Send to Joppa for Peter – staying with Simon the Tanner

• Sent 2 servants and a “devout” soldier

Peter’s VisionPeter’s Vision• Noon – Rooftop

• Praying – trance

• Saw giant sheet with animals in it

• Rise, Peter, kill and eat!

• Surely not, Lord!

Peter’s VisionPeter’s Vision• Do not call

anything impure that God has made clean.

• Happened 3 times• Messengers

arrived just then• Spirit said, “Go.”

Jerusalem Times

Peter Invites Gentiles Into Simon’s House!

Extra!

(10:23)

Jew and Gentile MeetJew and Gentile Meet

• Cornelius had gathered his friends and family

• He fell at Peter’s feet• Peter said, “Stand up, I am only a

man myself.” • God has shown me I should not call

any man impure or unclean (28).

The Walls Come Tumbling Down!The Walls Come Tumbling Down!

• I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. (34)

• Good news of peace through Jesus Christ (36; Eph. 2:11-22)

The SermonThe Sermon• Baptism of John

• We are witnesses

• Crucifixion

• Resurrection

• Forgiveness of sins

While Peter Was Still Speaking…While Peter Was Still Speaking…

• Peter may not have known what to do next.

• The Holy Spirit broke into Peter’s sermon!

• Pentecost revisited

• Spoke in tongues

The Baptism of CorneliusThe Baptism of Cornelius

• Can anyone keep these people from being baptized? (47)

• The Holy Spirit made the next step very clear – He kicked open the door for Gentiles to enter.

• He (Peter) ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

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