Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

Commentary for Chapters 1-11

CHAPTER 12 COMMENTARY

Bible Text: Acts 12:18-25 (ESV)

¹⁸ Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

²⁰ Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. ²¹ On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. ²² And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” ²³ Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

²⁴ But the word of God increased and multiplied.

²⁵ And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Go Deeper

Acts 12:20-25

• Reflect on the irony of an outwardly impressive man who is dressed in “royal robes” and sitting on a “throne,” yet is full of parasitic worms.
• Reflect on the words of v. 24 that follow the report of Herod’s death. 
• What lessons can I apply from this passage?

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[1] Leander E. Keck, The New Interpreter’s Bible: Acts  (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002) 178-179

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 362-363.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 363-364.

[7] Ibid.

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

Commentary for Chapters 1-11

CHAPTER 12 COMMENTARY

vv.1-17: “To this point in Acts, the apostles of Jerusalem are keenly favored by the ‘people’ of Israel and resisted only by the council – the ‘official’ religious authority in the holy city.  The reputation of the apostolate throughout Palestine has most recently attracted the malicious attention of Herod Agrippa I, client of Caesar Gaius and the principal political authority of the region.  […]According to Josephus, his reign was characterized by violence and caprice, which is vividly captured by the account of his death in Acts (see vv.20-22).  Perhaps this is sufficient evidence to fill in the historical gap left by the narrative, which tells the reader nothing of Herod’s motive for this most recent attack upon the Judean church.  Nor does Luke make clear why the apostle James is beheaded and the apostle Peter spared; presumably the church prayed for the release of both.  The brief mention of James’ martyrdom indicates the depth of difficulty Peter finds himself when Herod ‘proceeded to arrest Peter also’ (v. 3). More importantly, however, James is not replaced as Judas was before him (see 1:15-26), and so the circle of the Twelve seems broken beyond repair with their rule at an end in Jerusalem.  The succession of their spiritual authority appears necessary, since the Jerusalem mission must continue on under new leadership (= James the brother of Jesus) as Acts makes clear (see 15:4-29; 21:17-26).”^[1]  

v.5: “To the gloomy picture of Peter in prison Luke adds the hopeful note of the church earnestly in prayer for him (v. 5). […] While Peter was fast asleep in prison in the middle of the night (the angel had to wake him – v. 7), the church was engaged in vigilant prayer for him.”^[2]

vv.12-17: “The second instance of irony is the unbelief of Peter and the praying church that their prayers had been answered (vv. 9-11, 15).  And this came after God had similarly released Peter from imprisonment on an earlier occasion – that time too through an angel at night (5:19-20).  In fact, when the servant girl Rhoda was overjoyed over the answer to the prayers of the believers, they pronounced her out of her mind (vv. 14-15).” ^[3]

“The statement ‘it must be his angel’ (v. 15) reflects the Jewish belief in protecting and guiding angels, who ‘were sometimes thought to resemble the human beings they protected.’  Thus the believers thought that Rhoda mistook Peter’s guardian angel for Peter.  The irony continues as Peter went on knocking while the believers argued among themselves (v. 16a).  While the big iron gate of the prison opened with no effort to let Peter out (v. 10), he was unable to get past the gate of his own friend’s home.” ^[4]

“Though we do not know from where Luke got these details, the record of Peter’s anxious gesture of motioning with his hard for them to be quiet (v. 17) indicates ‘the authentic touch of an eyewitness.’  Peter probably then went ‘underground so successfully that no one to this day has discovered for certain where he went.’  Peter wanted James to be informed about what had happened, which suggests that he had already become an important leader in the church (cf. also Gal 2:1-10).” ^[5]

vv.19-23: “We are not told the exact cause of death; Longenecker suggests it may have been through infection by intestinal ringworms.  There is irony here too, for the man who was glorious on the outside was rotting of worms on the inside.” ^[6]

vv.24-25: “Immediately after the report of Herod’s death Luke gives a report of the growth of the church he had brutally tried to suppress.  The customary summary of growth in verse 24 ends the description in Acts of the Christian mission to the Jewish world.  The section closes on a positive note.  The early popularity of the church has given way to hostility, but that does not hinder the forward march of the gospel.  From the next chapter to the end of Acts, the focus will be on Paul and his missionary activity.” ^[7] 

Bible Text: Acts 12:1-17 (ESV)

¹ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. ² He killed James the brother of John with the sword, ³ and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

⁶ Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. ¹¹ When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴ Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” ¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. ¹⁷ But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Go Deeper

Acts 12:1-17

• Consider the picture of “earnest prayer [being] made to God by the church” for Peter (v. 5), and Peter being rescued out of prison by the angel (vv. 6-11). Who are some people in need of deliverance that I need to intercede for?
• What is ironic about the believers’ response to Rhoda’s report? Given this, what can I learn about the power of “many gathered together” (v. 12) in concerted prayer?

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[1] Leander E. Keck, The New Interpreter’s Bible: Acts  (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002) 178-179

[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 362-363.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 363-364.

[7] Ibid.

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

CHAPTER 11 COMMENTARY

Bible Text: Acts 11:19-30 (ESV)

¹⁹ Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. ²⁵ So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

²⁷ Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). ²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. ³⁰ And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Go Deeper

Acts 11:19-21

• What was the new thing that took place in Antioch, and who were the ones responsible for taking this new step?

Acts 11:22-26

• What kind of man was Barnabas, as evidenced by this passage?

Acts 11:26

• What might have been behind the fact that the disciples got the name “Christian” at Antioch?

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 3 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 4 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 5 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 6 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 7 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 8 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 9 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 10 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 11 COMMENTARY

v.1: “A Gentile was anyone who was not a Jew; the Jewish believers are sometimes referred to as the ‘the circumcised believers’ (11:2).  Most Jewish believers thought that God offered salvation only to the Jews because God had given his law to them (Exodus 19, 20).  A group in Jerusalem believed that Gentiles could be saved, but only if they followed all the Jewish laws and traditions—in essence, if they became Jews.  Both were mistaken.  God chose the Jews and taught them his laws so they could bring the message of salvation to all people (see Genesis 12:3; Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 42:4, 49:6; 56:3-7;60:1-3; Jeremiah 16:19-21; Zechariah 2:11, Malachi 1:11; Romans 15:9-12).” ^[1]

vv.1-3: “‘The circumcised believers’ (hoi ek peritomes; lit., ‘those of the circumcision,’ usually meaning only ‘the Jews,’ but in context certainly connoting ‘Jewish Christians’ here) immediately confronted Peter and charged, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.’ This charge, while traditionally worded, was tantamount to saying that Peter had set aside Christianity’s Jewish features and thereby seriously endangered its relation with the nation.” ^[2]

v.8: “Impure or unclean.  Unacceptable according to dietary restrictions of the law, thought by some to be for health reasons and by others for religious reason.  The Jews gained insight into God’s holiness by visual lessons reinforced in their daily diet.” ^[3]

“God had promised throughout Scripture that he would reach the nations.  […] But this was an extremely difficult truth for Jews, even Jewish believers, to accept.  The Jewish believers understood how certain prophecies were fulfilled in Christ, but they overlooked other Old Testament teachings.” ^[4]

vv.19-30: “In restrained sentences these few words tell of one of the greatest events in history.  Now, for the first time, the gospel is deliberately preached to the Gentiles. Everything has been working up to this. There have been three steps on the ladder. First, Philip preached to the Samaritans; but the Samaritans after all were half Jewish and formed, as it were, a bridge, between the Jewish and the Gentile world.  Second, Peter accepted Cornelius; but it was Cornelius who took the initiative.  It was not the Christian Church who sought Cornelius; it was Cornelius who sought the Christian Church.  Further, it is stressed that Cornelius was a God-fearer and, therefore, on the fringes of the Jewish faith. Third, in Antioch, the Church did not go to people who were Jews or half Jews, nor wait to be approached by Gentiles seeking admission; of set purpose and without waiting for the invitation, it preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Christianity is finally launched on its worldwide mission.

Here we have a truly amazing thing. The Church has taken the most epoch-making of all steps; and we do not even know the names of the people who took that step. All we know is that they came from Cyprus and Cyrene.  They go down in history as nameless pioneers of Christ.  It has always been one of the tragedies of the Church that men have wished to be noticed and named when they did something worthwhile.  What the Church has always needed, perhaps more than anything else, is people who never care who gains the credit for it so long as the work is done.  These men may not have written their names in men’s books of history: but they have written them forever in God’s Book of Life.” ^[5]

“Antioch in North Syria by the Orontes River was the largest of sixteen cities in the eastern Mediterranean bearing that name.  They were so named because many kings of the Seleucid dynasty (who ruled the eastern part of Alexander the Great’s empire after his death) bore the name Antiochus.  With an estimated population of about 300,000 Antioch in Syria was the third largest city in the Roman empire, surpassed in population only by Rome and Alexandria.  It was also the seat of administration of the Roman province of Syria.  A large Jewish population lived there, estimates of which range from 22,000 to 65,000.

Antioch had lax morals, especially owing to cult prostitution at a shrine in Daphne, five miles south of the city.  Because it was an international commercial center, it was a cosmopolitan city.  People were accustomed to innovations there. ‘They had their rough corners rubbed smooth, and traditional attitudes which were taken so seriously in a place like Jerusalem did not matter much.’ According to Josephus, a large number of proselytes lived there. In fact, one of the seven men chosen to serve tables in Jerusalem was Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch (6:5).  It was, then, an ideal place to be ‘the real birthplace of Gentile Christianity.’ It remained an important center of Christianity for many centuries.  It is now a part of Turkey and is called Antakya, with a relatively small population of about 40,000.’ ^[6] 

vv.22-26: “[Barnabas] introduced Paul into the circle of apostles (9:27).  He was chosen as their delegate to Antioch.  Barnabas was a ‘bridge-builder,’ one who was able to see the positive aspects in both sides of an issue and to mediate between perspectives.  That was the sort of person needed now to investigate the new mission […] Luke emphasizes these positive qualities in Barnabas. ‘He was a good man’ (v. 24), a phrase Luke used elsewhere only of Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:50).  He was ‘full of the Holy Spirit and faith,’ just like Stephen (Acts 6:5).  When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, far from criticizing the new undertaking, he was able to see the grace of God at work in all the Gentile conversions, and he rejoiced (v. 23). More than that, he encouraged them in the ministry, thus living up to his nickname of being the ‘Son of Encouragement’ (4:36).  This quality of encouragement, of looking for the best in others, would reappear when Barnabas interceded on Mark’s behalf (15:36-40). ^[7]

“With the growing missionary success in Antioch, Barnabas needed help; and Paul immediately came to mind.  Paul was in the area of his native Cilicia (cf. Acts 9:30; Gal 1:21), to which he had departed after his first visit to Jerusalem following his conversion.  The text of Acts is compressed and selective, but the most likely reconstruction of Pauline chronology from Gal 1-2 would indicate that some ten years or so had elapsed from the time he first departed from Cilicia to when Barnabas set out to find him.  The verb Luke employed (anazeteo) means to seek out and implies he had some difficulty in finding him.  Quite likely Paul was off somewhere busily engaged in missionary activity.  When Barnabas finally located Paul, he brought him back to Antioch where the two were heavily occupied in preaching and teaching to ‘great numbers’ (v. 26).  Likely they particularly continued the witness to Gentiles.  This would prepare them for their first mission together in Cyprus and southern Turkey (13:4-14:26).”^[8] 

“Luke appended the interesting note to v. 26 that the term ‘Christian’ was first applied to disciples in Antioch.  This may be of more significance than might appear on first sight.  The term only occurs in two other places in the New Testament (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).  In all three instances it is a term used by outsides to designate Christians.  Evidently the term was not originally used by Christians themselves.  They preferred terms like ‘believers, disciples and brothers.’  The first extensive usage by a Christian writer to designate fellow believers was by Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, around the turn of the second century.  The term (Christianoi) consists of the Greek word for Christ/Messiah (Christos) with the Latin ending ianus, meaning belonging to, identified by […] The term was often used by Roman writers to designate followers of Christ. The early usage in Antioch is perhaps indicative of two things.   For one, it is the sort of term Gentiles would have used and perhaps reflects the success of Antioch’s Gentile mission. Gentiles were dubbing their fellow Gentiles who because followers of Christ ‘Christians.’  Second, it reflects that Christianity was beginning to have an identity of its own and no longer was viewed as a totally Jewish entity.  Again, the success among Gentiles would have hastened this process in Antioch. ^[9] 

Bible Text

Acts 11:1-18 (ESV)

¹ Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ³ “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. ⁶ Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. ⁷ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ ⁸ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹ And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. ¹² And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. ¹³ And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; ¹⁴ he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

¹⁵ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” ¹⁸ When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Go Deeper

Acts 11:1-18

•       God used Peter to preach to the Gentiles, corresponding with the final part of Jesus’ commission to his disciples to be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (1:8). How do the Jewish believers respond to this? 

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[1] Life Application Study Bible, study notes, 1972.

[2] Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, notes for vv.1-3.

[3] Quest Study Bible, study notes 1522.

[4] Life Application Study Bible, study notes, 1972.               

[5] William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles: The Daily Study Bible, (Philadelphia, PN: The Westminster Press, 1976)  88.

[6] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 348.

[7] Polhill, Acts: The New American Commentary, 272.

[8] Polhill, Acts: The New American Commentary, 272-273.

[9] Polhill, Acts: The New American Commentary, 273.

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 3 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 4 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 5 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 6 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 7 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 8 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 9 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 10 COMMENTARY

Bible Text: Acts 10:34-48 (ESV)

³⁴ So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Go Deeper

Acts 10:34-35

•       What are the characteristics of those whom God accepts?

Acts 10:39, 42

•       What works of God have I been a witness to and can testify about? What do they reveal about God? And who are those whom God has placed in my life to testify to?

Acts 10:45

•       Why were the circumcised believers amazed and what misconceptions got corrected?

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Prayer

Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 2 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 3 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 4 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 5 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 6 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 7 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 8 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 9 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 10 COMMENTARY

Bible Text: Acts 10:17-33 (ESV)

¹⁷ Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate ¹⁸ and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. ¹⁹ And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” ²¹ And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” ²³ So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. ²⁸ And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

³⁰ And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Go Deeper

• Continuing the character study of Cornelius, what are some observations and lessons?
• Continue to reflect on the role of prayer in this chapter.
• Given the barriers Peter had to overcome in order to go to Cornelius’s house, reflect on Peter’s words in v. 28: “God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” Why is this a fundamental Christian principle? How much has this truth become a reality in my perspective towards myself and others? 

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Prayer