Bible Commentaries
Acts 10

Verse 1

Acts 10:1

Cornelius, a centurion --

A Roman Legion = 6,000 men

A Roman Division = 10 cohorts

A Roman Cohort = 600 men = A Band or Battalion

Cornelius = a Company Commander

1. Centurions were chosen for courage and loyalty

Acts 10:7 Family and soldiers, a good influence.

EXAMPLES OF CONVERSION:

1. Pentecost- Acts 2:22 & Acts 2:36-47

2. Samaria- Acts 8:4-13

3. Ethiopian eunuch- Acts 8:26-39

4. Paul (Saul)- Acts 9:1-20 & Acts 22:6-16

5. Cornelius– Acts 10:1-48 & Acts 11:1-18

6. Lydia- Acts 16:13-15

7. Philippian jailer- Acts 16:23-34

8. Corinthians- Acts 18:8

Verse 2

Acts 10:2

This story must be very important. It is repeated three times - twice in this chapter and again in chapter 11.

Devout -- Feared God -- a technical term for one who accepted God and the morals and ethics of Judaism without circumcision (Acts 10:22) and worshipped in the synagogue.

Alms -- This shows he was kind and one who loved his fellowman. One "not far from the kingdom" (Mark 12:34) of God, and a man of good report Acts 10:22. (Some have wondered if it could have been Cornelius when he was perhaps stationed at Capernaum that built the synagogue for the people there Luke 7:2-5.)

Prayed -- He was seeking God, and God found him!

SINCERITY NOT ENOUGH

Paul was- Acts 23:1 & Acts 26:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:12-16, Acts 7:58-60 & Acts 8:1.

Cornelius was--- Acts 10:1-2 & Acts 11:13-14.

See also Proverbs 14:12, Luke 16:15, Isaiah 55:8-9.

Verse 21

Acts 10:21

A good question for an evangelist to ask the church . "Why Have You Sent For Me?"

And the type of assembly the evangelist hopes to find can be see in Acts 10:33.

Verse 23

Acts 10:23

Certain brethren -- Six men Acts 11:12

Verse 29

Acts 10:29

A good question for an evangelist to ask the church . "Why Have You Sent For Me?"

And the type of assembly the evangelist hopes to find can be see in Acts 10:33.

Verse 33

Acts 10:33

The evangelist asks the question in acts 10.29, and this in vs. 33 is the type of assembly he hopes to find.

An Ideal Audience Acts 10:33

Introduction: In almost every audience listening to the gospel there are people with all kinds of attitudes toward the gospel. This is also the way it was in the first century when the apostles preached.

We can see this is true from looking at some of the audiences of the Gospel in the book of Acts.

A. FELIX -- Acts 24:24-25 -- Notice his response. Indifferent - a spiritual deficiency on the hearer’s part.

B. STEPHEN’S AUDIENCE -- Acts 7:51-60 -- Response -- rebellious. (Hebrews 4:12) Stephen laid bare their sins-- sinners not ready to repent did not like it then and people do not like it today. Isaiah 30:9-10.

C. PENTECOST -- Acts 2 -- Response -- receptive; (Acts 2:38-47)

I. THE ASSEMBLY In Acts 10:33 we have the setting for what might be called the Ideal Audience. The story of Cornelius is related to us in the passage. God is willing to bless us as he was Cornelius if we respond the same say. Note the things that characterized this assembly:

1) Promptness – on time, “We are all here.” - Matthew 11:28 “come unto me”

2) Visitors – He had invited many friends – John 4:29-30; John 1:41 Andrew > Peter; John 1:45-50 Philip -> Nathaniel.

3) Harmonious audience – Near kinsmen and friends. Acts 10:24. No discord among them. Psalms 133:1 “behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

4) Devotion – “before God” this helped them to be serious. Hebrews 4:12-13

Will be before God at the judgment – Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10

5) Attentive audience – “to hear”

(65 Preaching calling down “idiot”) Teens

6) Unprejudiced — “to hear all things.”

How many want to hear these passages:

Matthew 6:19-24; 1 Timothy 6:9-10;

Mark 16:16; Hebrews 10:25

7) Discriminating – “to hear God” – not man. Deuteronomy 18:15; Mark 9:7 “hear him”

8) Responsive – They yielded obedience – Acts 10:43-48.

II. THE MESSAGE

A) The sweet story of God and His love – Acts 10:38.

1) Christ’s the anointed of God. v. 38 “Who went about doing good”

2) Christ’s demonstration of the truth that He is God’s Son - “healing” v. 38

3) His death, Acts 10:39;

4) His resurrection Acts 10:40;

5) The Judgment v. Acts 10:42

1. His Virtuous life - v.38

2. His Vicarious death - v.39

3. His Victorious resurrection - v.40

1. There was the personal testimony of the saints - v.39, 40

2. There was the prophetic testimony of the scriptures - v.43

3. There was the Powerful testimony of the Spirit - v.44

B) He was to tell him how to be saved– Acts 11:14

C) The words of the great commission – Acts 10:42-43; Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:20

III. THE RESULTS

a) Prompt obedience – Acts 10:43-48

b) Great bless.. Remission of sins, Acts 10:43.

Conclusion:

1. Both the audience and the message here discussed are examples for us.

2. God will settled with us according to our obedience – Hebrews 5:8-9

Verse 35

Acts 10:35

WORKS - James 2:24, James 2:26, John 12:42, Galatians 5:6, Acts 10:34-35, Matthew 7:21, Hebrews 5:9.

Kinds of Works

1. Works of the flesh- Galatians 5:19-21

2. Our own works- Acts 7:41, 2 Timothy 1:9

3. Works of the law of Moses Galatians 2:16

4. Works of obedience- Acts 10:34-35, Luke 6:46, John 6:29.

Verse 44

Acts 10:44

Yet spake -- was speaking. John 14:17; Acts 11:4; Acts 11:15; Acts 15:7; Acts 11:14

The Holy Ghost fell -- Here the Holy Spirits comes upon Gentiles like it did the Jewish apostles in Acts 2.1-4. That event on Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 is referred to as the beginning Acts 11:15. That outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon Jews and nothing like that had occurred again until Acts 10:44-45 when it was upon Gentiles. When describing this event later to the rest of the apostles, to find a likeness to what had happened at Cornelius’ house, Peter had to refer back to the day of Pentecost that followed Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Gift of the Holy Spirit was a miraculous supernatural manifestation. Christ was the baptizer John 1:33;

The word -- the gospel message.

Verse 46

Acts 10:46

With tongues, and magnify God -- These Gentiles were probably speaking Hebrew; otherwise how would the Jews present know what they where saying? 1 Corinthians 14:19; 1 Corinthians 14:16;

Speak with tongues -- Speaking in a tongue not one’s own is not proof of salvation - Numbers 22:28. The purpose was to show Peter and the Jews that Gentiles were accepted into God’s plan Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11;

Verse 47

Acts 10:47

Can any man forbid water -- The purpose of their reception of the Holy Spirit . Acts 15:8.

Verse 48

Acts 10:48

Commanded them -- See James 2:24 note "Being Saved" and the role of baptism in one’s salvation. In Acts 2:38 "repentance and baptism" is also imperative.

In the name -- ἐν en "by the authority of"; "by the command of " ..