9 On the next day , as they were on their way and approaching the city , Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray . 10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat ; but while they were making preparations , he fell into a trance ; 11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down , lowered by four corners to the ground , 12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air . 13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter , kill and eat !" 14 But Peter said , "By no means , Lord , for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean ." 15 Again a voice came to him a second time , " What God has cleansed , no longer consider unholy ." 16 This happened three times , and immediately the object was taken up into the sky . 17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold , the men who had been sent by Cornelius , having asked directions for Simon's house , appeared at the gate ; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon , who was also called Peter , was staying there .
19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision , the Spirit said to him, "Behold , three men are looking for you. 20 "But get up, go downstairs and accompany e them without misgivings , for I have sent them Myself ." 21 Peter went down to the men and said , "Behold , I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come ?" 22 They said , "Cornelius , a centurion , a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews , was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you." 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging . And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered Caesarea . Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends . 25 When Peter entered , Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying , " Stand up; I too am just a man ." 27 As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled . 28 And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean . 29 "That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me." 30 Cornelius said , " Four days ago to this hour , I was praying in my house during the ninth hour ; and behold , a man stood before me in shining garments , 31 and he said , 'Cornelius , your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God . 32 'Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon , who is also called Peter , to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea .' 33 "So I sent for you immediately , and you have been kind enough to come . Now then , we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord ."
34 Opening his mouth , Peter said : "I most certainly e understand now that God is not one to show partiality , 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel , preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all )- 37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea , starting from Galilee , after the baptism which John proclaimed . 38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth , how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power , and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil , for God was with Him. 39 "We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem . They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross . 40 " God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible , 41 not to all the people , but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God , that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead . 42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people , and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead . 43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins ."
44 While Peter was still speaking these words , the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message . 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed , because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also . 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God . Then Peter answered , 47 " Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ . Then they asked him to stay on for a few days .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 10:9-48
Commentary on Acts 10:9-18
(Read Acts 10:9-18)
The prejudices of Peter against the Gentiles, would have prevented his going to Cornelius, unless the Lord had prepared him for this service. To tell a Jew that God had directed those animals to be reckoned clean which were hitherto deemed unclean, was in effect saying, that the law of Moses was done away. Peter was soon made to know the meaning of it. God knows what services are before us, and how to prepare us; and we know the meaning of what he has taught us, when we find what occasion we have to make use of it.
Commentary on Acts 10:19-33
(Read Acts 10:19-33)
When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say.
Commentary on Acts 10:34-43
(Read Acts 10:34-43)
Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true religion is found, God will accept it without regarding names or sects. The fear of God and works of righteousness are the substance of true religion, the effects of special grace. Though these are not the cause of a man's acceptance, yet they show it; and whatever may be wanting in knowledge or faith, will in due time be given by Him who has begun it. They knew in general the word, that is, the gospel, which God sent to the children of Israel. The purport of this word was, that God by it published the good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ. They knew the several matters of fact relating to the gospel. They knew the baptism of repentance which John preached. Let them know that this Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord of all; not only as over all, God blessed for evermore, but as Mediator. All power, both in heaven and in earth, is put into his hand, and all judgment committed to him. God will go with those whom he anoints; he will be with those to whom he has given his Spirit. Peter then declares Christ's resurrection from the dead, and the proofs of it. Faith has reference to a testimony, and the Christian faith is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, on the testimony given by them. See what must be believed concerning him. That we are all accountable to Christ as our Judge; so every one must seek his favour, and to have him as our Friend. And if we believe in him, we shall all be justified by him as our Righteousness. The remission of sins lays a foundation for all other favours and blessings, by taking that out of the way which hinders the bestowing of them. If sin be pardoned, all is well, and shall end well for ever.
Commentary on Acts 10:44-48
(Read Acts 10:44-48)
The Holy Ghost fell upon others after they were baptized, to confirm them in the faith; but upon these Gentiles before they were baptized, to show that God does not confine himself to outward signs. The Holy Ghost fell upon those who were neither circumcised nor baptized; it is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. They magnified God, and spake of Christ and the benefits of redemption. Whatever gift we are endued with, we ought to honour God with it. The believing Jews who were present, were astonished that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. By mistaken notions of things, we make difficult for ourselves as to the methods of Divine providence and grace. As they were undeniably baptized with the Holy Ghost, Peter concluded they were not to be refused the baptism of water, and the ordinance was administered. The argument is conclusive; can we deny the sign to those who have received the things signified? Those who have some acquaintance with Christ, cannot but desire more. Even those who have received the Holy Ghost, must see their need of daily learning more of the truth.