Bible ReadingActs 10:34-48 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 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. 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, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 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. 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. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 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. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ‘Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”
[01:48] [07:10] [45:36] [51:44]Acts 10:1-8 “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, ‘Cornelius.’ And he stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ And he said to him, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.’ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”
[19:34] [21:51]Acts 10:9-16 “The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.’ And the voice came to him again a second time, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.”
[25:12] [30:15]Acts 10:24-33 “And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I too am a man.’ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 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. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.’ 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 and said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 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.” 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.’”
[41:22] [42:51]Observation questions- In Acts 10, what details show that Cornelius was already a serious and morally upright man before Peter arrived, and what did God tell him to do next? [21:51]
- In Peter’s vision, what did Peter first call unclean, and how many times did God repeat the correction to him? [25:12]
- What signs in the passage show that Cornelius had prepared the room with expectation before Peter got there? [41:22]
- What happened while Peter was still speaking, and how did the Jewish believers who came with him react? [48:38]
Interpretation questions- Peter says that God shows no partiality and that Jesus is Lord of all. What does that challenge in the way people sometimes divide the church by race, background, culture, or preference? [51:44]
- Cornelius’ prayers and generosity were remembered by God, yet he still needed to hear the gospel of Jesus. What does that teach about the difference between being a good person and being saved? [23:39]
- Peter already knew Jesus, had walked with Jesus, and had received the Holy Spirit, yet he still needed correction. What does that suggest about how deep-rooted prejudice or pride can remain in a believer’s heart? [30:15]
- The Holy Spirit fell before Peter finished the message. What does that reveal about spiritual hunger, readiness, and the way God responds to people who are truly open to him? [45:36]
Application questions- God still sees hidden places in a person’s life. Where is it easiest right now to say “I’m good” while something deeper is actually going on underneath? [00:48]
- Cornelius was good, generous, prayerful, and respected, but he still needed Jesus. Is there any way a person in this group might be leaning on being decent, helpful, or church-connected instead of truly trusting Christ for forgiveness? [21:51]
- Peter had to let God confront what he had been calling unclean. What kinds of people are easiest to keep at a distance, write off, or quietly judge, and what might obedience look like in moving toward them instead? [33:13]
- Obedience often has something waiting on the other side. Is there a conversation, apology, invitation, or act of service that has been delayed because of discomfort, pride, or fear? What would it look like to stop arguing and just go? [36:06]
- Cornelius had enough credibility that family and close friends came when he called. If the people closest to this group member were invited into a room to hear from God, would they trust that invitation? Why or why not? [42:51]
- The room was ready before Peter arrived. What helps a heart become ready for God instead of casual, distracted, or resistant? What would “getting the room ready” look like this week in a practical way? [50:38]
- “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Has that “everyone” been personally received, or has Jesus been kept at a distance while other things still sit at the center? What needs to move so that Jesus is truly taken for one’s own? [54:15]
