“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:1-41There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. (Acts 10:1‑4)).
There is no doubt that God had already worked in Cornelius’ heart, along with all his house. However, they lacked the knowledge of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the remission of sins by faith in his name; that is to say, of salvation in its complete sense.
“And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:5-65And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (Acts 10:5‑6)). And the angel also told him what is written in the next chapter: “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:1414Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. (Acts 11:14)). This shows us that Cornelius and his whole house were not yet saved.
“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; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven” (Acts 10:7-167And 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; 8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven 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: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. (Acts 10:7‑16)).
When the Lord wanted to make his servant, Simon Peter, know His will — since Peter was still a Jew with closed understanding and not prepared in any way to bring the good news of salvation to the Gentiles — He arranged it that Peter would see a wonderful and phenomenal vision, and commanded him to eat the different animals that were inside a great sheet. When Peter contradicted the Lord (this was not the first time) Jesus answered him: “What God hath cleansed, that call thou not common.” The spiritual significance of the vision is very clear to the Christian who is knowledgeable about God’s purpose: He was going to call the Gentiles with a heavenly calling — “the vessel was received up again into heaven.”
“What raised the wondrous thought;
Or who did it suggest?
That we, the church, to glory brought,
Should WITH the Son be blest.
O God! The thought was Thine
(Thine only it could be)
Fruit of the wisdom, love divine
Peculiar unto Thee:”
“Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there” (Acts 10:17-1817Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. (Acts 10:17‑18)). Providentially, the Lord made Cornelius’ servants arrive where Peter was exactly as he finished seeing the vision and hearing the voice of the Lord.
“While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts 10:19-2019While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. (Acts 10:19‑20)).
It was an angel that spoke to Cornelius; but the Holy Spirit, who dwells in every believer of the Lord Jesus Christ, spoke to Peter. It is also very interesting to note in this passage that Cornelius’ command to his three servants was from the Holy Spirit (without Cornelius knowing it), since He said to Peter, “I have sent them.” When God wants, He controls — more than that, He produces, or creates — the thoughts of men. For example: one night, “could not the king sleep,” speaking of Ahasuerus of Persia, and that led directly to the salvation of the Jewish people — which were scattered throughout the vast empire of Ahasuerus — from total destruction (read Esther 6 to 10).
“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? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him” (Acts 10:21-2321Then 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? 22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. (Acts 10:21‑23)).
The Holy Spirit directed everything in such a way that Peter could not resist, let alone doubt, the sovereign will of God. Peter was also accompanied by witnesses: “six brethren” (Acts 11:1212And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: (Acts 11:12)) from the Joppa assembly closest to Caesarea (an important principle in the establishment of new assemblies or local Christian churches that have the Lord’s Table, even to this day, since there should be the right hand of fellowship to establish them).
“And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together” (Acts 10:24-2724And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. (Acts 10:24‑27)).
Cornelius had the whole group of his family and many friends present so that they could hear the good news from Peter’s mouth. But he committed a great error: he fell down at Peter’s feet and worshipped him. Peter did not want to accept men’s worship, not even for a second, (but, what about the one who is called Peter’s successor?), and he immediately made Cornelius stand up again.
“And he said unto them, Ye know how 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 shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 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. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:28-3328And he said unto them, Ye know how 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 that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send 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. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. (Acts 10:28‑33)).
Peter, having already submitted to the will of the Lord, made a very good confession in front of the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, humbly telling them that he had been wrong and that God had shown him that he should not call anyone common or unclean. Later, he asked Cornelius why he had called him so urgently. Cornelius then gave him a summary of his meeting with the glorious angel of God and finished speaking with these sincere words: “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” This Gentile man recognized that he was in the presence of God and not of Peter. Is it not true that such a pious attitude should be the same for every humble person who wants to know the will of God?
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead” (Acts 10:34-4234Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41Not 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. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 10:34‑42)).
I leave it for others to comment on Peter’s sermon, inspired by the Holy Spirit. It was a concise, but at the same time comprehensive, summary about Jesus. Having finished this, Peter then announced the good news of salvation, the forgiveness of sins:
“To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins” (v. 43). There is no doubt that Cornelius, being a friend of the Jews, knew something about the living and true God, but he did not know what the Jews refused to know: that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel, the Lamb of God, the sacrifice for sin, and the One that had to be raised from among the dead. Cornelius and his family and devout friends — having now heard that all the prophets gave testimony of Jesus and of salvation by faith in His name — believed with their hearts (which had already been prepared by God) the message that God preached through Peter. And, what happened?
Cornelius, along with his friends and relatives which heard the sermon, received the Holy Spirit. Not because they afterwards spoke in tongues, but because they’d believed the testimony of God about His beloved Son Jesus Christ, and the remission (or pardon) of sins through His Name. We read in Ephesians 1:13-1413In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14): “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed [not since the time you spoke in tongues], ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”
In relation to this, there is a passage in 2 Corinthians 1:21-2221Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21‑22): “Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” There are three things: (1) the unction of the Spirit; (2) the seal of the Spirit; and (3) the earnest, or rather the deposit, of the Spirit.
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things ... But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him” (1 John 2:20, 2720But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (1 John 2:20)
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)). The Lord Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, would guide us “into all truth” (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)).
It appears that the Holy Spirit seals faith — by virtue of the blood of Jesus. Another has written this: “If we examine closely the statements and the acts in the Scriptures, we will find, I believe, with respect to the details, that it is faith in the work of Jesus for the remission of sins that is sealed.” When Cornelius and his company believed in this way, they were then sealed by the Holy Spirit. (Compare Lev. 14:14-1814And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: 15And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: 16And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord: 17And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering: 18And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord. (Leviticus 14:14‑18)).
We do not yet possess our heavenly inheritance, but we do have the deposit, or earnest, of it, by possessing the promised Holy Spirit. For the Israelites, the cluster of Eschol’s grapes was the earnest or deposit of their earthly inheritance in Canaan (see Num. 13:24-2524The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. 25And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. (Numbers 13:24‑25)).
Then Cornelius and his friends, at least some, spoke in tongues. Not unintelligible or unknown by the hearers, but in languages that were understood. They magnified God and their speech was intelligible — it is not like that today. No one understands what is spoken in tongues in some sects, it is closer to a “Babel” of “confusion” (see Gen. 11:99Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:9)). Tongues were given at the beginning of the Christian era to establish the testimony of the true and omnipotent God. But, once established, there was no need for speaking in tongues, since the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament exist. First Corinthians 13:8 says tongues “shall cease.” They will cease. They are not mentioned among the permanent gifts of the church according to Ephesians 4:11-1211And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11‑12).
On the Day of Pentecost, the Jews — in order to show themselves as upright and sincere — had to be baptized before they received the Holy Spirit (comp. Acts 2:3838Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)). The Gentiles received the Holy Spirit first and were baptized with water afterwards. In this case, it was by the apostolic authority of Peter: “he commanded them to be baptized.” No one has this authority today: the believer asks to be baptized by his own exercise. But, after conversion, Jews and Gentiles both took Christian ground in this world, now isolated externally from the Jewish ground and the pagan ground by baptism. The Scriptures recognize three classes of people in the world: