Acts 10: 24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day, and Cornelius was waiting for him and had called together his relatives and close friends to meet Peter. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship.
26 But Peter said, “Stand up! I’m not a god!”
27 So he got up, and they talked together for a while and then went in where the others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, “You know it is against the Jewish laws for me to come into a Gentile home like this. But God has shown me in a vision that I should never think of anyone as inferior. 29 So I came as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me what you want.”
When Peter enters the house, Cornelius looks at him and immediately falls to his knees. Unless we realize the Roman mindset of racial superiority over all conquered people, we fail to realize the incredible significance of this act. Romans don’t bow to others; others bow to Romans, particularly to Roman commanders. Even the Jewish religious leaders demonstrate respect, although they draw the line at bowing. Even Cornelius’ family members and friends are aghast at this act of humility, for they too are Romans to the core. But the Holy Spirit is with Peter, and Cornelius senses the presence of the Holy Spirit.
So many times, as believers we fail to remember that we are not representing ourselves, but representing the One True Living God. We fail to realize that others are seeing something we are not. When we act by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, others feel the Spirit’s influence. Conversely, when we act without the Holy Spirit’s influence, people will feel the influence of whatever spirit is moving us. Sobering thought, right?
Notice that Peter is still vainly trying to cling to his prejudices as he explains that God has sent him to a gentile home. Despite the heavenly vision, despite God repeating the vision three times, Peter is still moved by the teaching he has received since childhood. But Peter also has obeyed, coming promptly. Change is never easy, and Peter is changing, but it’s painful.
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying as usual at this time of the afternoon, when suddenly a man was standing before me clothed in a radiant robe! 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayers are heard and your charities have been noticed by God! 32 Now send some men to Joppa and summon Simon Peter, who is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, down by the shore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have done well to come so soon. Now here we are, waiting before the Lord, anxious to hear what he has told you to tell us!”
Wow! At this point, Peter is shocked. First, it’s obvious that God has graphically revealed Himself to this Roman authority. Now Peter realizes that God is the One who has directed Cornelius where and how to send for him. And now this man is anxious, ANXIOUS to hear what God has told Peter to tell him and his family and friends. What an opportunity!
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that the Jews are not God’s only favorites! 35 In every nation he has those who worship him and do good deeds and are acceptable to him. 36-37 I’m sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah, who is Lord of all creation. This message has spread all through Judea, beginning with John the Baptist in Galilee. 38 And you no doubt know that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were possessed by demons, for God was with him.
39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Israel and in Jerusalem, where he was murdered on a cross. 40-41 But God brought him back to life again three days later and showed him to certain witnesses God had selected beforehand—not to the general public, but to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he sent us to preach the Good News everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the Judge of all—living and dead. 43 And all the prophets have written about him, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Peter begins to tell the company about Jesus, assuming that he will give a message, that they will ask questions, and that things will progress gradually. Not once does Peter anticipate what God is about to do.
44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those listening! 45 The Jews who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to Gentiles too! 46-47 But there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
How do Peter and his friends recognize that the Holy Spirit has descended on all those in Cornelius’ house? They hear the assembled company speaking in tongues and praising God. Those receiving the Holy Spirit must have spoken in recognizable tongues; otherwise, the Jews would have termed it as gibberish. Perhaps some of the Jews were from various places with regional languages or dialects. God could certainly ensure that those speaking in tongues would say something intelligible.
Peter asked, “Can anyone object to my baptizing them, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he did, baptizing them in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. Afterwards Cornelius begged him to stay with them for several days.
We’ll never know what Peter thought he was coming to do at Cornelius’ house. Perhaps Peter planned to tell the company about Jesus, to gradually take them along, and eventually baptize them. But God has taken over, baptizing everyone in the household in the Holy Spirit. What can Peter do? All that is left is to conduct believer’s baptism in water.
Why is this story so important? There are many lessons to be drawn from this story; however, one of the most important points is that God remains sovereign. When we are doing God’s work, God might take over at any point, bypassing our carefully constructed plans and acting powerfully in ways we cannot anticipate. Generally, our plans are far too small! While Peter might have had good intentions, he might never have laid hands on Cornelius and his group to receive the Holy Spirit. That’s when God stepped in. Later, Peter will use this act of God as evidence that God wants the gentiles as well as the Jews to come to a saving faith.
Years ago, J.B. Phillips wrote a book entitled Your God is Too Small. In that book. Phillips conclusively demonstrated that most of us have no conception of the power of God or any idea of God’s greatness. The book is a small classic and well worth reading. When given a divine vision and marching orders, Peter obeyed; however, until Peter entered Cornelius’ house, his ideas about God were far too small. For the rest of Peter’s life, God would continue to expand Peter’s views of His greatness and majesty.
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How big is the God you claim to serve? Are you serving the Lord God, Creator and Master of the Universe, or have you squeezed God into some kind of a little box? When Peter thought he knew what God would do, God proceeded to send the Holy Spirit on an unlikely group of people. Never be afraid to trust that the God who has created you can sustain you and lead you into new avenues of ministry.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You, even when You are ignoring our prejudices and preferences. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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