Acts 10:17-33 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Acts 10:17-33. As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Acts 10:17-19 (NIV)
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
On verses 17-19: In verse 3 the Holy Spirit called Cornelius by name. A number of times in Acts 10 the Holy Spirit calls Peter by name. (In fact, the Holy Spirit calls him by his new name “Peter” in verse 13 and then calls him by his old name “Simon” in verse 19.) What can we learn from this? God is a personal loving Father who knows us and calls us by name.
Acts 10:20-24 (NIV)
20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.
24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
On verses 20-24: Cornelius was so confident that his messengers would find Peter just as God had told him that Cornelius called his relatives and close friends to come over and expect Peter to arrive. Faith is expectant. In other words, if you want to see God move in your life, like Cornelius believe what God says and trust that good things will happen when you follow Him. For God loves to work in an atmosphere of expectant faith.
Acts 10:25-26 (NIV)
25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
On verses 25-26: A pattern in the book of Acts is that whenever people are inclined to bow in reverence before Peter, Peter stops them and points them to Jesus Christ as the one they should revere (see also Acts 3:12). May we do the same whenever people are inclined to make a big deal out of us: point them back to the one who is truly great, Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:27-29 (NIV)
27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
On verses 27-29: All his life Peter was used to not associating with non-Jewish people (Gentiles), being taught that Gentiles were impure or unclean. But earlier in Acts 10 God personally challenges Peter on this point and Peter willingly changes his mind, saying “But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” (v28) Peter’s repentance (his decision to turn from his old ways and go God’s way) was backed up by action, as Peter goes with Cornelius’ messengers “without raising any objection” (v29) and without knowing why he was being sent for.
What can we learn from this? Be quick to obey God after you hear from Him. Notice that though Peter and Cornelius came from two totally different backgrounds, they shared a common characteristic: they were quick to obey once they heard from God. It’s no wonder that they were the ones God chose to bring about a watershed moment in the church and the revelation that Jesus Christ truly is for every person on the planet regardless of their ethnicity.
Acts 10:30-33 (NIV)
30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
On verses 30-33: From Cornelius and Peter’ examples, we see that God uses people who are quick to obey Him, who don’t delay indefinitely and keep coming up with excuses. God especially uses people who go where God tells them to go and who do what God tells them to do, even when they don’t have all the details.
Is there an area of your life, or a command from God, which you have delayed obeying? For as long as you delay obedience, you are keeping God from using your life to the maximum for His glory. For the sake of God using our lives to the max for His glory, let’s obey without delay.
Holy Spirit, I pray that I would not limit Your power in my life through delayed obedience. I pray that I would obey You quickly so that You can use my life to the maximum for Your glory, and also knowing that maximum blessing will follow me when I do. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
