9 And on the morrow, as these are proceeding on the way, and are drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour, 10 and he became very hungry, and wished to eat; and they making ready, there fell upon him a trance, 11 and he doth behold the heaven opened, and descending unto him a certain vessel, as a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and let down upon the earth, 12 in which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven, 13 and there came a voice unto him: 'Having risen, Peter, slay and eat.' 14 And Peter said, 'Not so, Lord; because at no time did I eat anything common or unclean;' 15 and 'there is' a voice again a second time unto him: 'What God did cleanse, thou, declare not thou common;' 16 and this was done thrice, and again was the vessel received up to the heaven. 17 And as Peter was perplexed in himself what the vision that he saw might be, then, lo, the men who have been sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for the house of Simon, stood at the gate, 18 and having called, they were asking if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, doth lodge here?
19 And Peter thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Lo, three men do seek thee; 20 but having risen, go down and go on with them, nothing doubting, because I have sent them;' 21 and Peter having come down unto the men who have been sent from Cornelius unto him, said, 'Lo, I am he whom ye seek, what 'is' the cause for which ye are present?' 22 And they said, 'Cornelius, a centurion, a man righteous and fearing God, well testified to, also, by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely warned by a holy messenger to send for thee, to his house, and to hear sayings from thee.' 23 Having called them in, therefore, he lodged them, and on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him, 24 and on the morrow they did enter into Cesarea; and Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kindred and near friends, 25 and as it came that Peter entered in, Cornelius having met him, having fallen at 'his' feet, did bow before 'him'; 26 and Peter raised him, saying, 'Stand up; I also myself am a man;' 27 and talking with him he went in, and doth find many having come together. 28 And he said unto them, 'Ye know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another race, but to me God did shew to call no man common or unclean; 29 therefore also without gainsaying I came, having been sent for; I ask, therefore, for what matter ye did send for me?' 30 And Cornelius said, 'Four days ago till this hour, I was fasting, and 'at' the ninth hour praying in my house, and, lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and he said, Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thy kind acts were remembered before God; 32 send, therefore, to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; this one doth lodge in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who having come, shall speak to thee; 33 at once, therefore, I sent to thee; thou also didst do well, having come; now, therefore, are we all before God present to hear all things that have been commanded thee by God.'
34 And Peter having opened his mouth, said, 'Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, 35 but in every nation he who is fearing Him, and is working righteousness, is acceptable to Him; 36 the word that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news—peace through Jesus Christ (this one is Lord of all,) 37 ye—ye have known;—the word that came throughout all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism that John preached; 38 Jesus who 'is' from Nazareth—how God did anoint him with the Holy Spirit and power; who went through, doing good, and healing all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with him; 39 and we—we are witnesses of all things that he did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem,—whom they did slay, having hanged upon a tree. 40 'This one God did raise up the third day, and gave him to become manifest, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses, to those having been chosen before by God—to us who did eat with 'him', and did drink with him, after his rising out of the dead; 42 and he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify fully that it is he who hath been ordained by God judge of living and dead— 43 to this one do all the prophets testify, that through his name every one that is believing in him doth receive remission of sins.'
44 While Peter is yet speaking these sayings, the Holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word, 45 and those of the circumcision believing were astonished—as many as came with Peter—because also upon the nations the gift of the Holy Spirit hath been poured out, 46 for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. 47 Then answered Peter, 'The water is any one able to forbid, that these may not be baptized, who the Holy Spirit did receive—even as also we?' 48 he commanded them also to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they besought him to remain certain days.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 10:9-48
Commentary on Acts 10:9-18
(Read Acts 10:9-18)
The prejudices of Peter against the Gentiles, would have prevented his going to Cornelius, unless the Lord had prepared him for this service. To tell a Jew that God had directed those animals to be reckoned clean which were hitherto deemed unclean, was in effect saying, that the law of Moses was done away. Peter was soon made to know the meaning of it. God knows what services are before us, and how to prepare us; and we know the meaning of what he has taught us, when we find what occasion we have to make use of it.
Commentary on Acts 10:19-33
(Read Acts 10:19-33)
When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say.
Commentary on Acts 10:34-43
(Read Acts 10:34-43)
Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true religion is found, God will accept it without regarding names or sects. The fear of God and works of righteousness are the substance of true religion, the effects of special grace. Though these are not the cause of a man's acceptance, yet they show it; and whatever may be wanting in knowledge or faith, will in due time be given by Him who has begun it. They knew in general the word, that is, the gospel, which God sent to the children of Israel. The purport of this word was, that God by it published the good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ. They knew the several matters of fact relating to the gospel. They knew the baptism of repentance which John preached. Let them know that this Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord of all; not only as over all, God blessed for evermore, but as Mediator. All power, both in heaven and in earth, is put into his hand, and all judgment committed to him. God will go with those whom he anoints; he will be with those to whom he has given his Spirit. Peter then declares Christ's resurrection from the dead, and the proofs of it. Faith has reference to a testimony, and the Christian faith is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, on the testimony given by them. See what must be believed concerning him. That we are all accountable to Christ as our Judge; so every one must seek his favour, and to have him as our Friend. And if we believe in him, we shall all be justified by him as our Righteousness. The remission of sins lays a foundation for all other favours and blessings, by taking that out of the way which hinders the bestowing of them. If sin be pardoned, all is well, and shall end well for ever.
Commentary on Acts 10:44-48
(Read Acts 10:44-48)
The Holy Ghost fell upon others after they were baptized, to confirm them in the faith; but upon these Gentiles before they were baptized, to show that God does not confine himself to outward signs. The Holy Ghost fell upon those who were neither circumcised nor baptized; it is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. They magnified God, and spake of Christ and the benefits of redemption. Whatever gift we are endued with, we ought to honour God with it. The believing Jews who were present, were astonished that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. By mistaken notions of things, we make difficult for ourselves as to the methods of Divine providence and grace. As they were undeniably baptized with the Holy Ghost, Peter concluded they were not to be refused the baptism of water, and the ordinance was administered. The argument is conclusive; can we deny the sign to those who have received the things signified? Those who have some acquaintance with Christ, cannot but desire more. Even those who have received the Holy Ghost, must see their need of daily learning more of the truth.