2nd Term
Peter and the Gentile Converts (Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18): Cornelius was a
Captain in the Roman Regiment. He lived in Caesarea. He was religious. One
afternoon as he was praying, he had a vision in which an angel told him that he
should send for Peter. The next day as the messengers were on their way to
Joppa where Peter was, Peter himself had a vision in which he saw all kinds of
animals, and he was told to kill and eat. But Peter refused, saying that he
never ate anything unclean. The voice cautioned him not to call unclean what
God has declared clean. This happened 3 times after which the thing was taken
back up into heaven. While Peter was trying to understand the meaning of that
vision, the 3 men arrived at the place. The Spirit urged him to go with them.
So, he welcomed them and asked them to spend the night. The next day, they set
out. When they got to Caesarea, Cornelius with his household were waiting.
Peter let him know that although a Jew is prevented by his religion from
entering the house of a gentile, yet he came to his house because God has
instructed him not to call defiled what He has declared clean. So, Peter
started preaching the Gospel, and while he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit
came down upon all. Then, the Jewish believers who came with Peter were
surprised about the fact that God pours out his spirit even upon the Gentiles.
After that, they were all baptized. The news went throughout Judaea, and in
Jerusalem, Peter was criticized for entering the house of a Gentile, but Peter
explained to them and they stopped criticizing him and started praising God.
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