Acts - Week 34

Week 34 Acts 10 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 10:19-20 

19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” 

Peter was still confused about the meaning of all the animals sent down on a sheet and he was told to kill and eat them. The Holy Spirit directly spoke to him about visitors downstairs. Even though he would not know who they were, the Holy Spirit told him to go with them because they had been sent by Him. At this point, Peter did not know why they had come. This is a test of his obedience.  

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes thought God is testing you to see if you will trust Him? 

RESPOND 

Verses that you and your disciple should commit to memory are Proverbs 3:5-6. Make it your passion to please the Lord in all you do.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 10:21-23 

21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. 

The men sent by Cornelius told Peter about Cornelius and why they had been sent. Cornelius is referred to as “a Roman officer” so this is a Gentile wanting Peter, a Jew, to come to his house. Notice the purpose of why Peter should come to meet Cornelius: “so he can hear your message.” The men were invited to stay overnight with Peter and the next day they headed to the house of Cornelius. Peter did not go alone; some Jewish brothers went with him.  

REFLECT 

Hopefully you are intrigued by the way God worked to get the gospel message to Cornelius and his household.   

RESPOND 

Pray with your disciple about those who may have God working in their hearts even now although you do not know it. Pray that they will soon turn to Jesus. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 10:24-25 

24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 

Caesarea was 30 miles north of Joppa. When they arrived at his house, Cornelius was waiting for them with his relatives and close friends.  Cornelius had such respect for Peter he fell down and worshipped him. This could be expected by a Gentile who had been communicated with by an angel. Sometimes more reverence is paid to a human being than God desires. 

REFLECT 

Before you came to Christ, did you also misunderstand and think that some human beings should be worshipped? 

RESPOND 

Read Matthew 4:10 to see what Jesus told the devil when he wanted Jesus to kneel down and worship him.  

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 10:26-27 

26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled. 

Peter—as all people should do—told him to stand up because he was only human as was Cornelius. They were outside at this time and perhaps not many saw this interaction. This verse indicates more was said before they went inside. There Peter saw “many others were assembled.” God was delivering an audience to Peter to give a message they were open to hearing. What would Peter say now? 

REFLECT 

Do you realize that some people you meet may have been brought to you by the Lord so you can witness to them? Be alert to such opportunities. 

RESPOND 

When he was writing from a Roman prison, the apostle Paul sent greetings and mentioned Caesar’s household. This indicates God was giving him opportunity to witness to them and some had trusted in Jesus. See Philippians 4:22 where those in Caesar’s household were sending greetings to the recipients of Paul’s letter. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 10:28-29 

28 Peter told them, “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. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” 

Peter explained to the group how unusual it was for a Jewish man to come to a Gentile home. Apparently he was understanding the vision he had earlier and now said that God had shown him not to call anyone unclean. He was not yet clear, however, why he had been sent for so he asks them. Peter is an example of someone admitting previous bias and now had been persuaded by God to see people differently.  

REFLECT 

Has God had to deal with your heart in similar ways he dealt with Peter? Has that brought you to the place of admitting it? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about realizing God’s grace is for all people, not just for a few ethnic groups. The Jewish people had rejected Gentiles and even those they considered half-breed Jews—the Samaritans (see John 4). Jesus revealed, however He had come to seek and to save the lost whoever and wherever they were. Read Luke 19:9-10 to see what Jesus said to a repentant tax collector.