Acts 10:17-48

Summary of Acts 10:1-16

Cornelius – a centurion, devout man, feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, prayed to God always, prayers and alms a memorial before God
Peter – Apostle of Christ, thinking in the old legalistic way, God says otherwise

Do you pay attention to God – what He says in His Word or through the Holy Spirit? (v19)
Matthew 17:4-5
4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Do you listen to the Holy Spirit? Do you act OR do you doubt? (v19-20)

Cornelius – eager, wanting to bless family and friends, thinks Peter is special.
Are we eager for our family and friends to hear about Jesus? Are we elevating someone over the One?

Are you willing to cross social/cultural/religious barriers when the Holy Spirit says so?
Matthew 15:11
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.

Cornelius was neither afraid nor embarrassed to tell everyone about his supernatural experience. What about us?
Cornelius was encouraged that Peter came. Do you know/believe/realise that you could be the “Peter” someone is waiting for?

Peter shared the Gospel. Are we ready and willing?
Holy Spirit spoke through Peter, but was already at work in the heart of the people there, including Cornelius. Are you praying for God to be at work in the heart(s) of those you want to see come to faith?

Holy Spirit comes upon those who believe
Salvation is available to all
Speaking in tongues is only one sign of the Spirit, not THE SIGN (as some churches or Christians claim)
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-10
  7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
- As we can see in the Bible, God clearly tells us that speaking in tongues is just one of many gifts of the Holy Spirit – it shouldn’t be given more importance or prominence than other gifts of the Spirit.
No excuse for delaying baptism.