Acts chapter 10:42-48: V42:  God has commanded the Apostles to preach these things ” to the people” – perhaps initially to the Jewish people, but as Peter is learning here, to all people. ( So Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8.)  Within this gospel, they must proclaim the truth that this same Jesus is the appointed judge…

Acts chapter 10:34-41: V34-35:  Peter now realises that God has shown him He has His people, not only from among the Jews but from ” every nation”, so clearly he does not see this as a “one-off” exception. Again, we must not take this verse to mean that Cornelius ( or anyone else ) has…

Acts chapter 10:27-33: V27-28:  Finding a large number of non-Jews gathered, Peter shows he has understood and accepted what God is saying to him – he must no longer hold to the Jewish laws about avoiding contact with Gentiles, nor call anyone “common” or unclean before God because of race or background. So, Paul would…

Acts chapter 10:17-26: V17-18:  As Peter is puzzling over what his vision means, the men from Cornelius arrive at the house and ask for him. There are no ” coincidences” in God’s dealings with His people, only the working out of His sovereign purposes.  V19-20:  Still pondering over what God is saying to him ( or…

Acts chapter 10:9-16: V9:  As God is working His purpose out, even in small details ( Romans 8:28.) Peter goes up to the roof of his host’s house to pray, just as Cornelius’ messengers are approaching the city. The roofs, remember, would be flat, often with a parapet around them. V10-11:  Peter feels hungry, but even as…

Acts chapter 10 v1-8: V1-2:  We learn of a Roman centurion named Cornelius – the “Italian cohort” suggests something of an elite regiment, as against those which contained many non-Roman troops from other parts of the Empire. He is now living ( and  stationed ) at Caesarea, about 40 miles north of Joppa. He is, we’re…

Acts chapter 9:36-43:   V36:  We learn of a Christian woman, named Tabitha ( in Aramaic ) or Dorcas  ( in Greek )  She was well known for her acts of Christian charity and love to many in Joppa, where she lives. V37-38:  She becomes very ill, and dies, causing great grief among the believers….

Acts chapter 9:27-35:   V27: But the Jerusalem Christians – even it seems the Apostles, are fearful of a trap, doubting the reality of his conversion. How it must have cast his heart down – until we read the lovely words ” but Barnabas took him” – that great encourager we met in chapter 4…

Acts chapter 9:19b-26:   V19b:  Saul is now found among the disciples in Damascus – and clearly accepted by them, the very ones he came to persecute, as a brother in Christ. He is truly a transformed man – so he could later write 2 Corinthians 5:17. V20-21:  So, he is found immediately preaching in…

Acts chapter 9:13-19a:   V13-14:   Ananias for a moment protests – small wonder – he has heard of Saul as a persecutor who has come to Damascus to attack the church there, with authority from the chief priests – which Saul himself had sought, of course ( v1-2). V15:  But the Lord tells Ananias how Saul…