Week 46: Acts 10-Peter and Cornelius

Peter and Cornelius

As a family, read Acts 10. Afterwards, share the following discussion.

What happened?

Cornelius was a Roman centurion in Caesarea who, along with his family, worshiped and served God. One day, an angel came to Cornelius and told him that God was pleased with the way he honored Him and served others. He gave Cornelius instructions to send for Peter, who was in a place called Joppa.

Meanwhile in Joppa, Peter was praying on a rooftop. He fell into a trance and saw a large sheet coming down from the sky. In the sheet, there were animals of all kinds, including birds and reptiles. Peter heard the voice of the Lord telling him to get up and eat from the animals in the sheet. Because Peter, a Jew, knew that he should eat only the animals that God had called clean, he said that he could not eat any of the unclean animals. God told Peter not to call anything unclean that He had cleansed.

While Peter was thinking about the meaning of the vision, Cornelius’ men arrived. Peter heard the Holy Spirit telling him to go down and greet the men. Upon hearing what they had to say, he invited them to stay for the night. The next morning, Peter went with them to go to Cornelius’ house.

A large number of people had gathered to hear Peter speak. He told them that it was against the Jewish law to go into the house of anyone who was not a Jew, but God had told him not to call anything impure or unclean that He had made clean. Peter asked Cornelius why he had sent for him, and Cornelius explained the angel’s visit. Peter realized then exactly what God had sent him to say. God accepted people from every nation who wanted to follow Him. Peter explained to them who Jesus was and what He had come to do for them. When Cornelius and the people with him heard this, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to praise God. Peter gave orders for them to be baptized, and then he stayed with them to teach for a few more days.

Why is this important to us today?

Israel has always been God’s chosen people. A dedicated Jew would not associate with Gentiles at all. But God showed Peter that He doesn’t love just the Jewish people. God wants all people to come to know His Son, Jesus, no matter who they are, what they look like, or where they are from. This was a totally new way of thinking for Peter. But God opened Peter’s mind and heart and used him to open the door for the preaching of the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles. God loves everyone, not just people who look and act like us. Like Peter, our job is to tell people about Jesus, no matter who they are!

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions:

1. Peter’s message about God’s love was probably surprising to the people who gathered in Cornelius’ house to hear him speak. Who do you think might be surprised to hear that God loves them?

2. How does your treatment of others show that they are just as important to God as you are?

How can we better follow God this week?

As you go about your usual activities this week, look at the people around you. Don’t think about just your friends or family or people that you like; notice everyone. God loves every person you see just as much as He loves you. Knowing that God loves everyone the same means you should too. Every person you meet needs the salvation that Jesus Christ alone can provide. This week, challenge yourself to treat them as He would, no matter who they are or where they come from.