The church was experiencing some peace since the instigator Saul had been converted. Now, instead of creating trouble for Christians, Saul was learning and growing and become one of the most faithful, outspoken disciple of Jesus Christ!
The other Apostles hadn't stopped their ministries. They were still traveling throughout Judaea and Samaria preaching the gospel.
Acts 9:32-35- And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Peter was still preaching, and he was still working miracles in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 9:36-38- Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
While Peter was in the town of Lydda, there was a death of a very devoted Christian woman in the nearby town of Joppa. The people of Joppa sent two men to find Peter in Lydda. They hoped that he could come and either work a miracle or comfort them concerning this loss.
Acts 9:39-42- Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Peter, through the Power and the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, was able to bring this woman back from the dead. How wonderful!
Do you remember where you heard of the town of Joppa before? It was the town to which Jonah fled when he was running from God. That's where he got onto the boat that brought him to the fish that swallowed him up.
The Apostles were still dealing mainly with Jews. They needed a little help in transitioning to preaching to all of humanity.
Acts 10:1-6- There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
There was a Roman Centurior who had converted from his heathen ways to fear and worship the Lord God Almighty. His name was Cornelius. While he was praying and seeking God, a message was given to him through the vision of an angel.
He was praying to God around 3:00 pm and an angels told him to send for Simon Peter in Joppa.
Acts 10:7-8- And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
While the servants were travelling towards Joppa, the Lord sent a message to Peter so that Peter would know it was the Lord who sent these men.
Acts 10:9-14- On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Peter saw a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven. Inside this sheet were a bunch of animals that Moses commanded the Jews not to eat in the Old Testament Scriptures. But, in his vision, Peter heard the Lord telling him to go ahead and eat these "unclean" animals.
Peter was shocked! He had never eaten anything that the Scriptures had told him not to eat. He had tried to keep the law as best he could.
But, the Lord was showing Peter that there was a New Testament. In this new time period both Jews and Gentiles could be saved. The Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was more powerful than the confines of the Law.
Peter was going to learn that the Feasts, and the Commandments, and the Traditions, and all other things that the Law of Moses commanded were obsolete as far as people obtaining Salvation.
Acts 10:15-16- And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
The Lord wanted to make sure that Peter got the message, so He did this three times!
Peter was a little confused.
Acts 10:17-20- Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Just as the servants reached the house where Peter was staying, the Lord made sure that Peter understood exactly what he needed to do.
When Peter went down into the house from the rooftop, he was ready to go with these Gentile men.
Acts 10:21-23- Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter greeted the men at the door, invited them in for the night, and then they travelled to meet Cornelius the next morning.
Acts 10:24-25- And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Uh oh! Cornelius thought that he should worship Peter. He was still held back by all that he knew of false idol worship. Peter was going to have to teach these Gentiles a lot!
Acts 10:26-29- But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
Peter finally understood what it was that God was trying to tell him on that rooftop. The Gentiles weren't to be looked at as unclean dogs to be avoided, but as sinful souls in need of a Savior.
Cornelius explained his vision to Peter and told Peter that he had gathered all that he could to hear about what it was that God wanted from them.
Acts 10:34-42- Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
So, Peter preached the gospel to these Gentiles. He started with God not being a respecter of persons, that He would listen to anyone who called on Him. He told about the Baptism of John, and Jesus Christ and how he was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. He told how many saw Christ in His risen body, and that they were commanded to take this witness of what they had seen and heard to those who would stand before God in Judgement.
Acts 10:44-48- While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
As Peter was preaching, these men must have believed in their heart and asked Jesus to save their souls, because the Holy Ghost came and dwelt in them.
Now, you can't see the Holy Ghost because He is a Spirit. So, God had to show Peter through something he could see that these men had accepted salvation through Christ. So, God allowed these Gentiles to work a miracle of speaking in tongues so that Peter would know.
Peter, and the other Jews with him, heard the Gentiles speaking in tongues and they knew what had happened.
Peter said they should baptize these Gentiles so that others could see that they were no longer unsaved Gentiles, but now they were their brothers and sisters in Christ!
The Gentile brethren asked Peter to stay and teach them more. It was quite obvious that something needed to be done to spread the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world!
