The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 10
Chapter X · Vol. IV, pp. 273–275
1 Cornelius, a devout man, 5 being commanded by an angel, sendeth for Peter: 11 who by a vision, 15, 20 is taught not to despise the Gentiles. 34 As he preacheth Christ to Cornelius and his company, 44 the Holy Ghost falleth on them, 48 and they are baptized.
1 Therea was a certain man in Cesarea,1 called Cornelius, a centurion2 of the band called the Italian band,Cited in WCF 23.2
A.D. cir. 41.
a Ge.49.10. Is.11.10; 42.1,6,7. Mat.2.1,11; 8.5-11; 15.22-28. Jn.4.12,29; 10.16.
1 See note on ch. 8.40.—P.
2 Captain of a hundred soldiers, Mat.8.5; 27.54. ch.23.17,23; 27.1.
2 Ab devout3 man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.4Cited in WCF 21.6, 23.2, 28.5
b ch.2.5; 8.2; 18.8; 22.12. Ge.18.19. Jos.24.15. Ps.41.1; 101.2-7; 119.2. Pr.2.3-5. Ec.7.18. 1 Th.5.17. ver.4, 22, 30, 35.
3 Devout. According to the original, one that truly worshipped God.—C.
4 And prayed to God alway. Not intermingling, as some did, an occasional prayer to God with others to idols; and one that habitually and statedly worshipped God at the accustomed hours of prayer.—Note, Prayers should never be mechanical or ostentatious; but, for sustentation of the divine life, it must be habitual and regular.—C.
3 Hec saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day,5 an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, dhe was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are ecomeg up for a memorial6 before God.Cited in WCF 28.5
d Mat.28.4,5. Re.1.17. ch.7.32.
e Is.45.19. Ps.141.2. He.13.16. Re.8.3. ver.31. Phi.4.18.
g ver.32. Ro.10.14,17.
6 The 'memorial' was a part of the sacrifice (Le. 2.16) presented specially to God, in testimony and remembrance that the petitioner was a true worshipper of God by sacrifice—by typical acknowledgment of the Lamb of God)—and had called upon God for pardon and salvation.—Note, Neither prayers, nor alms, nor other good works, can justify a sinner, either in whole or in part (Ro. 3.20, 31. Ga. 2.16), yet are they fruits and memorials essential to a living faith (Ja. 2.17); necessary to the promotion of growth in grace (2 Pe. 3.18); to the support of the personal assurance of faith (2 Pe. 1.5-10); to the silencing or convincing of gainsayers (1 Pe. 2.12); and to the visible and filial exhibition of the glory of our heavenly Father, Jn. 15.8.—C.
5 Andh now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
h ch.9.43; 11.13,14. ver.32.
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, ihe sent them to Joppa.7
A.D. cir. 41.
i Ec.9.10. Ps.119.59,60. ver.33; ch.11.13.
7 The distance from Cæsarea to Joppa was about 35 English miles, and was too much for one day's march.—P.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, jPeter went up upon the house-top8 to pray, about the sixth hour:9
j ch.11.5-10. Mat.6.6. 1 Ti.2.8. Ps.55.17. Ep.6.19.
8 It will be recollected that the eastern houses were, and still generally are, flat-roofed, and surrounded by a battlement, so that Peter thus obtained retirement and privacy—while, as he still retained his Jewish peculiarity, the open roof would afford him an opportunity of praying towards Jerusalem. See Da. 6.10.—C.
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,k
k Nu.24.4. Re.1.10. 2 Co.12.1,2,4.
11 And saw lheaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet, knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 nWherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
n Mat.8.11. Is.43.6; 49.12; 45.22; 11.6-10; 55.1-7; 54.9. Ro.15.8-19. 1 Co.6.9-11. Mat.13.47. Re.22.17. Jn.6.37. Ro.1.16; 3.22,29,30.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, pWhat God hath cleansed,2 that call not thou common.q
p Mat.15.11. ver.28,34; ch.11.9; 15.9. Ro.14.14,17,20. 1 Ti.4.4. Tit.1.15. 1 Co.10.25. Lu.11.41.
2 What God hath cleansed—by emblematically taking it up from the earth, and sending it down from heaven.—C.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should tmean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
t ver.10-16.
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, uthe Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
u ch.11.12; 16.6,7; 21.4. Jn.16.13.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, xCornelius the centurion, a just man,3 and one that yfeareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was zwarned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.Cited in WCF 28.5
x ver.1-5.
3 Cornelius—a just man. A man that acknowledged and worshipped the true God, the God of the Jews—that trusted in his promises, which all terminated upon Messiah, the Saviour—and was, therefore, 'just' as 'being justified by faith,' Ro. 5.1.—C.
y ch.22.12. He.11.2.
A.M. cir. 4045. A.D. cir. 41.
z ver.45; ch.9.42; 11.12.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. Anda on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Cesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and bworshipped him.4Cited in WLC 105
4 Cornelius had been educated a heathen. He had been 'accustomed from boyhood to see divine honours rendered to heroes. The coming of Peter had been announced to him by an angel; it was not strange, therefore, that notwithstanding his deep piety, and partial enlightenment, he attempted to worship Peter.—P.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know ehow that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me gthat I should not call any man common or unclean.
e ch.11.3. Ga.2.12,15. Jn.4.9,27; 18.28.
g ver.15; ch.11.9; 15.3,9. Ep.3.6.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, has soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fastingi until this hour: and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in jbright clothing,
31 Andk said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.5Cited in WCF 28.5
5 The difference between the words attributed to the angel in ver. 4 and 31 may easily be accounted for in perfect consistency with the divine and full inspiration of both passages upon the natural principle that he had used both forms of expression to render his meaning and purpose more intelligible and impressive.—C.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, lto hear all things that are commanded thee of God.Cited in WCF 21.5
34 Then Peter nopened his mouth, and said, oOf a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 Butp in every nation he that feareth him,6 and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
p ch.15.8,9. Ro.2.13,25,27,29; 3.22,23,29; 10.12,13. 1 Co.12.13. Ga.3.28. Ep.1.10; 2.13-18; 3.5,6. Phi.3.3. Col.1.6,23-27; 3.11. Ge.4.7. 1 Jn.2.29.
6 He that feareth him (God) is he that begins with 'wisdom' (Ps. 111.10)—that is, who begins with taking Jesus Christ as his 'wisdom' (1 Co. 1.24) as his only and all-sufficient guide to salvation; and he 'that worketh righteousness' is he who, having heard the law pronounce himself and all men 'guilty before God' (Ro. 3.19), has thereby discovered 'that there is none righteous, no not one' (Ro. 3.10), in whom God, by his Spirit, 'worketh both to will and to do of his good pleasure' (Phi. 2.13), which 'willing' and 'doing' terminate in receiving 'Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,' 1 Co. 1.30.—Note, Those who attempt to pervert the words of Peter to the establishment of human righteousness, independent of, or additional to, 'the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ,' do so by seizing upon an insulated text, and neglecting to 'compare spiritual with spiritual,' the most essential canon of all scriptural interpretation.—C.
36 Theq word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he ris Lord of all:)
q Mat.10.6; 28.19. ch.11.19; 13.46,47. Ep.1.10; 2.14-17. Is.57.19. Lu.2.14,10,11. Col.1.20,28,29.
r Ps.45.11; 22.27-30; 47.5,6; 24.7-10; lxxii.; 89.19-29; xcv.-c. Is.9.6,7; 52.13; 53.12. Da.7.13,14. Ho.1.7,10. Mat.28.18. Ro.10.12; 14.9. 1 Co.15.27. Phi.2.9-11. Ep.1.20-23. Col.1.15-18. 1 Pe.3.22. Re.17.14; 19.16.
37 That word, I say, ye know, swhich was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
s Lu.4.14. ch.1.22.
38 How tGod anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who uwent about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for vGod was with him.Cited in WCF 8.3
39 And xwe are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom ythey slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;
41 zNot to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
z Lu.24.30,41,48. Jn.14.17,22; 15.10; xx.xxi. ch.1.2-9,22; 13.31.
42 Anda he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he bwhich was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.Cited in WCF 8.4
a Mat.28.19,20. Mar.10.15. Lu.24.47. ch.1.8. Jn.20.21,22.
b ch.17.31. Jn.5.22-29. Ro.14.9,10. 2 Co.5.10. 2 Ti.4.1,8. 1 Pe.4.5. Mat.25.31-46. Re.1.7; 20.11-15; 22.12.
43 cTo him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.7Cited in WLC 4, 70, 72 · HC 2, 19
c See Jn.1.45; 3.14-17; 5.39. Lu.24.27,44,47. ch.4.12; 13.38,39; 26.22; 15.9. Is.53.4,5,11. Je.31.33,34. Da.9.24. Mi.7.18-20. Zec.13.1. Ro.10.11. Mal.4.2. Mat.26.28.
7 Here it will be seen that Peter, instead of resting acceptance with God upon a sinner's working of righteousness—a contradiction in terms, a thing utterly impossible—rests acceptance with God entirely upon faith in the name of Jesus—that is, upon Jesus himself—through whose atoning blood the sinner receives the 'remission of sins.'—C.
44 Whiled Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.Cited in WCF 11.1
d ch.2.2,4,37; 4.31; 8.15,16; ver.45,46.
45 And they of the circumcision ewhich believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.Cited in WCF 28.5
e ver.23; ch.9.42; 11.3,18.
46 For they heard them gspeak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
g ch.8.17; 19.6; 2.4. Ps.100.1.
Notes
Reflections.—It is an honour for persons of all ranks to be devout and liberal, and to worship God in their families as well as in secret. And how does this Roman soldier shame many professed Christians who, on the most trifling pretences, neglect the worship of their Maker, who scarcely know what it is to observe family devotion, and who take no more pains in the religious education of children and servants than if they were beasts! God takes great delight to increase their knowledge and comfort who sincerely practise what they know, and earnestly ask his further direction. And though our best actions cannot render our persons acceptable to God, yet, if they are agreeable to his perfections and law, he graciously rewards them.—It is by men, not by angels, that we must expect to be taught.—With tender care God removes the conscientious scruples of his servants, and prepares them beforehand for their duty. And never are we more ready to receive his direction than when we are engaged in solemn prayer. Cheerfully, therefore, ought all, especially ministers, to go whithersoever he, in his providence, calls them, hoping for success, whatever impediments lie in their way. Gospel preachers ought to be gladly received and kindly entertained; and as many friends as we can influence be encouraged to share their instructions. With the deepest reverence and attention ought we to hear and believe the truths of God, on which depend our eternal salvation and his glory. And with their utmost care ought preachers to make known Jesus Christ in his person, offices, debasement, and glory, as the source and mean of our whole salvation, and as our great Judge, to whom we must quickly give an account. It is a delightful season when the Holy Ghost, with supernatural influence, attests the truths preached, and applies them to the hearts of hearers. Cheerfully they then surrender themselves to Jesus, and avow their faith in him. Cordially they praise him for his kindness, and desire to be more acquainted with, established in, and edified by his truths.—But O with what astonishing condescension and marvellous operation of providence and grace has God extended his gospel to us unclean and brutish sinners of the Gentiles, and has made of both Jews and Gentiles one gospel church, so making peace!