Acts 10: Cornelius Calls for Peter

Alongside our Sunday teachings, we’re keeping things simple. We’ll be reading through the book of Acts, featuring the many unique voices of the ClearView Church congregation. Each week, we’ll release two chapters, followed by a few reflection questions.

In this  episode, you’ll hear a brief introduction from Pastor Phil, followed by a reading of Acts 10 and some reflection questions from some children in our congregation.

Read along with our reflection questions:

As you reflect on this story, what stands out to you? Are there any words or phrases that seem to catch your attention? Where might the Holy Spirit be gently drawing you in?

How do you imagine Cornelius and his household felt when they heard Peter say that God shows no favoritism, but welcomes people from every nation?

What might that have meant in that moment? How has that truth shaped the Church over time? And what might it mean for you today?

Peter speaks about Jesus—how He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, how He went about doing good and bringing healing, and how all who believe in Him receive forgiveness of sins.

As you sit with these words, what stands out to you? What draws your attention or stirs something in your heart?

Take a moment to bring your reflections before the Lord. What would you like to say to Him? What might He want to show you? Pray with openness and trust, knowing He hears you and welcomes you.

Faith Matters is a ministry of Clearview Church, Oakville, On.
https://clearviewchurch.com/

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:11

You are listening to the Faith Matters Podcast from Clearview Church, where we explore everyday faith in a complex world. Our goal is to strengthen and equip followers of Jesus just like you through practical and theological discussions and resources. In this season of the podcast, we're diving deeper into the practices of prayer and study. Each week, we'll release two episodes featuring voices from our congregation reading a chapter from the book of Acts, along with a few reflection questions. Each episode will begin with a short introduction to help set the context of the passage. As you listen, we encourage you to go slow. There will be built-in pauses with gentle background music, giving you space to reflect and wonder about what you're hearing. You might choose to follow along in your Bible or use a Bible app as the passage is read aloud. Above all, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal what you need from the text. Now, onto the book of Acts and the passage of the day.

SPEAKER_00 1:28

Acts chapter 9 jolts the whole story with one of the most dramatic reversals in the Bible. Saul, that persecuting pit bull, is stopped in his tracks by the risen Jesus. He's blinded, he's humbled, he's praying for the first time in the right direction, and he gets healed and baptized. The man who came to crush the church now becomes one of God's chosen spokespersons. And meanwhile, the church begins to breathe again as Peter continues ministering with the power and compassion. And with that, we enter chapter 10.

SPEAKER_02 2:09

At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known at the Italian regiment. He and all his family were devout and God feared. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three at the afternoon, he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God who came to him and said, Cornelius, Cornelius stared at him and feared. What is it, Lord? He asked. The angel answered, Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man who is named Simon, who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is by the sea. When the angel who had spoken to him had gone, Cornelius called two servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. About noon the following day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat. And while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, Get up, Peter, kill and eat. Surely not, Lord, Peter replied, I've never eaten anything impure and unclean. The voice spoke to him a second time. This happened three times and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 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. They called out, asking if Simon, who was known as Peter, was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the spirit said to him, Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have said that. Peter went down and said to the men, I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come? The man replied, We have come for 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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you had to say. Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guest. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Drapa went along. The following day he arrived at Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and I called along his relatives and close friends. But as Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell to his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. Stand up, he said, I'm only a man myself. While talking with him, Peter went inside and find a large gathering of people. He said to them, You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate or visit a Gentile. But God hath shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me? Cornelius answered, Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man shining and close stood before me and said, Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to drop off for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the Tamar, who lives by the sea. 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 everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us. Then Peter began to speak. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation, the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent through the people of Israel announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee, after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on the cross. But God raised him from the dead on the Thursday and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but witnesses who God had already chosen. By us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach the people and to testify that he is the one who God appointed as the judge of the living and dead. All the prophets testified about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down from all who heard the message. The circumcised believer who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. But they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

SPEAKER_03 7:35

As you reflect on this story, what stands out to you? Are there any words or phrases that seem to catch your attention? Where might the Holy Spirit be gently trying in you? How do you imagine Cornelius and his household felt when they heard Peter say that God shows no favorites but welcomed people from every nation? What might that have met in that moment? How has the that truth shaped the church over time? And what might it mean for you today? Peter speaks about Jesus, how he was anointed with the Holy Spirit in power, how he went about doing good and bringing, and how all who believe in him receive forgiveness of sin. As you sit with these words, what stands out to you? What draws your attention or stares something in your heart? Take a moment to bring your reflection before the Lord. What would you like to say to him? What might he want to show you? Pray will opponents and trust knowing.

SPEAKER_01 10:10

Thank you for listening to the Faith Matters podcast. We hope this time has helped you slow down and create space to hear from God. Join us again for our next episode as we continue through the book of Acts together. Go in peace and may you continue to grow your life with Christ.