Message Notes

THE PROBLEM OF EMBEDED RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES IN REACHING THE GENTILES

1. Wrong understanding of dietary laws

“For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”   Acts 10:14

2. Lack of understanding of the nature of the kingdom of God

“You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or to go to one of another nation.”   Acts 10:28

3. Lack of understanding of God’s plan for the Gentiles

“And I say to you that many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”   Matthew 8:11

THE HAND OF GOD IN CORRECTING OF WRONG UNDERSTANDING

1. The Lord appeared to Peter in a vision

“And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”   Acts 10:15

a. It was a vision of all kinds of animals and birds that Peter had never eaten before   (Acts 10:12)

b. He was asked to eat them but he would not.

c. The Lord corrected him that what He had cleansed should not be called common

2. The Lord’s instruction through His Spirit

“While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.”   Acts 10:19-20

a. The Lord led Cornelious to send men to look for Peter

b. When the men came to Peter

c. The Spirit of God spoke to him to go with them

NEW PERCEPTION OF TRUTH IN REACHING THE GENTILES

“Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”   Acts 10:34

1. No man should be called unclean

“But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”   Acts 10:28

2. He is the Lord of all

“But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all… ”   Acts 10:35-36

3. The Spirit of the Lord confirmed this

a. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Cornelius and family   (Acts 11:16)

b. It was confirmed that salvation was granted to the Gentiles too   (Acts 11:18)

THE HAND OF THE LORD ON THOSE WHO REACHED OUT

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.”    Acts 11:21

1. There was a new group of people who reached out

2. They were part of those who were scattered when they were persecuted

3. Some of them began to speak to the Hellenists

4. The hand of the Lord was on them

a. A great number of the people believed

b. They turned to the Lord