Study 7 Acts 10:1-11:4 & 11:15-18

Recap

In our last two studies (The Ethiopian Eunuch & the conversion of Saul), we have begun to see the first steps of Jesus’ sending the church to the ends of the earth. The Gospel began to move beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and spread beyond its Jewish heritage.

In the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, we saw that there were no barriers for a person like the eunuch to be baptized. Though he wouldn’t have been able to worship in the Jerusalem temple, the spirit of God has now gone out of the temple and is seeking and finding the lost. The eunuch, who would have been without family, is now being placed in a larger family. This new family is not defined by ethnic boundaries.

In the story of Paul’s conversion, we see that God chooses him for a specific reason: he is to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, “and their kings.”

These two stories make up the first two-thirds of a sort of mini-series within the book.  In chapters 8-11, we see how the Gospel moves into the non-Jewish culture. What does it mean for non-Jewish men and women to follow Christ?

These stories are important to keep in mind as we prepare to read through the story of Peter and Cornelius.

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Introduction

This week, our story centres on two visions. In the first, God prepares the heart of a Gentile to encounter Him. In the second, He prepares an apostle to move beyond his cultural heritage.

In both stories, we see that God is at work — in both men — shaping, guiding, and working through each of them for His glory.

As we read Peter’s vision and his response, it helps to remember who Peter was and how he was raised. Peter grew up in Israel, surrounded by Jewish religious and cultural traditions.

From the time he was a small boy, he would have been learning and memorizing the Law — the Torah. He would have followed its teachings closely, especially the food laws and the customs about what was clean and unclean.

Now, to us, those rules might seem strict or even strange.
But to the Jewish people, they were a vital reminder that they belonged to God — that they were His chosen people, a nation of priests, set apart as holy.

So, for Peter, breaking those laws would have felt unthinkable — even offensive. We should also note that not only was Peter not supposed to eat unclean foods, but he also believed he was not supposed to eat with unclean people. He was not supposed to be in table fellowship with those outside his culture and religion.

As we read this story, we should have a big question on our minds: Why is God moving beyond — or even appearing to break — the very law He once gave?

With that in mind, let’s dive into our reading for today.

Read Acts 10:1-11:4 & 11:15-18

First, read out loud, either one person reads the whole thing, or separate it by verses. After you read through the passage out loud, take a little bit of time to re-read it individually, noting and marking verses, words or phrases that stand out in the story.

Three Quick Questions:

1. Is there anything that stands out to you as we read through the passage?

2. Did you learn anything new or surprising about Jesus or God’s character?

3. Are there any other stories or passages in the bible that Luke may be subtly referencing? Why is Luke connecting this story to that passage?

Diving Deeper

1. Our reading begins by introducing Cornelius. He is a God-fearer, which means that though he was not Jewish, he did believe in the God of the Jews, and acted according to the law, in terms of justice and charity. We see this described in the story; he was generous to those in need and also prayed to God.
   Why do you think it is significant that the first two non-Jewish converts (Luke tells us about) were “God-fearers”?
   How might this help us think about who we could share our faith with?
   
   

2. After Cornelius’s vision, Peter falls into a trance during which God speaks to him and tells him to “Kill and Eat.” Peter protests, but God declares, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
   Why do you think God is “making clean” what was impure?
   Does this word from God mean that all things are made clean? How could we know if something is still impure?
   
   

3. This passage tells us that Peter saw his vision three times.
   Why do you think it is significant that Peter saw this vision three times?
   
   

4. In 10:34, after Peter has come to Cornelius, he says, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism. But accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”
   In context, what do you think it means that God does not show favouritism? (Galatians 3:28)
   How should we live in response to this claim? (Look up a few passages: Leviticus 19:15, Ephesians 6:9, James 2:9)
   
   

5. In verse 47, Peter says, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.” We should notice how similar this is to what the Ethiopian eunuch said in chapter eight: “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
   What do you think Luke is trying to show us with these two similar statements about the Ethiopian Eunuch and the Roman Centurion? (Hint: look at 11:18)
   
   

Benediction - To be used at the very end of your evening together.

Brothers and sisters,

the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand this same power is at work in each one of us who believe! So go from here in confidence and peace,
knowing that God’s presence and power go with you.  Amen.