Acts 10
As I reflect on Acts 10, the story of Cornelius and Peter stirred something deeply within me. It made me pause and question the path I’m on the one I thought I understood as God’s purpose for my life. I’m not claiming to know the full extent of why I’m here, but over time, as I’ve spent more moments in God’s Word, I realize my understanding is changing. Not because it was wrong, but because it needs to mature, to be updated through the lens of God's growing work in me.
This chapter offers a profound picture of what it means to live with purpose as a follower of Christ. Let me share what I learned:
It begins with Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea:
Acts 10:2 – “He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.”
Cornelius wasn’t just personally faithful he led his household to fear God and was respected even by the Jews, despite being a Gentile and Roman officer. Then, one day, he received a vision: his prayers and generosity had reached God, and he was instructed to send men to the city of Joppa to find a man named Peter.
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
Before Cornelius’s men reached him, Peter was already in Joppa, staying with Simon the tanner:
Acts 9:43 – “Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.”
Acts 10:6 – “He [Peter] is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
This detail might seem minor, but it’s not. According to Jewish law, tanning working with dead animal hides was an unclean profession. Most Jews would avoid even entering a tanner’s home. Yet Peter was staying there. This was God’s quiet way of preparing him to break down deep-seated religious and cultural barriers. God was already stretching Peter's boundaries, softening his heart toward people and places previously seen as “unclean.”
Then Peter, while praying, had a vision. He saw a variety of animals and heard a voice tell him to “kill and eat.” Peter refused:
Acts 10:14 – “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.”
The voice replied:
“Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.”
While Peter was still trying to understand the vision, Cornelius’s men arrived. The Spirit spoke to him:
Acts 10:19-20 – “Three men have come looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”
God was synchronizing every detail.
Peter obeyed and followed them to Cornelius’s home. Upon arrival, Peter acknowledged a major truth:
Acts 10:28 – “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.”
This was no small statement. Peter recognized that God had been preparing him through the vision, through Simon the tanner’s house, and now through Cornelius to understand that God’s plan included all people, not just Jews.
Peter then declared:
Acts 10:34-35 – “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”
This truth changed everything. Because of it, we too Gentiles are part of God’s salvation plan.
Although Cornelius lived righteously, prayed regularly, gave to the poor, and led his household well, he still lacked one thing: the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:36 “This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”
Peter proclaimed Jesus His life, death, and resurrection. Then he clarified the mission given to us:
Acts 10:42-43 “And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
As Peter shared, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening.
What’s so powerful is that both Cornelius and Peter received what they needed:
Cornelius needed Peter to hear the Gospel and know the way to salvation.
Peter needed Cornelius to see that the Gospel is for all people even those he once considered unclean.
So now we must ask ourselves: Where are we in this story? Are we holding onto limited perspectives of who God can use or save? Are we letting His Word challenge and reshape our understanding of purpose?
Let this chapter open our eyes. Lord, don’t let us be led by our own limited wisdom. Guide us through Your Word. Help us to know You more, to understand the gift of Your Son Jesus, and to share the Good News boldly. Thank You for showing no favoritism for including us in Your redemptive plan.
Let us obey Your call to preach everywhere and testify about Jesus, so others may also receive the joy and power of salvation.
Amen.