(vers. 34-43), Peter assumes that Cornelius was acquainted with the main facts of the gospel message. Very possibly, it may have been because Philip did not know how to deal with the case of a Gentile like Cornelius that the whole situation arose, and so by a Divine suggestion Peter was summoned to solve the new problem that had emerged. 7. a devout soldier. The soldier, like his captain, had also accepted the Jewish religion. 8. he sent them to Joppa, which was about 30 miles from Cæsarea. 10. fell into a trance. The vision is supposed to have come to Peter in the form of a dream, while his own mental activity was suspended. 11. knit at the four corners and let down. The best MSS. simply read, "as it were a great sheet let down by four corners upon the earth," and in ver. 12 omit the words "and wild beasts." 14. any thing that is common or unclean. This phrase refers to food which was forbidden in the Mosaic code of law. THE CONVERSION OF THE FIRST II. THE MEETING OF PETER AND CORNELIUS 17 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, 18 and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto 20 him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for 21 I have sent them. 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 where22 fore 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 23 hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, 24 and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his 25 kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and 26 worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand 27 up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 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. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have 30 sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright 31 clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall 33 speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. This section gives an account of (1) the arrival of the messengers of Cornelius at Joppa (vers. 17-20); (2) their interview with Peter (vers. 21, 22); (3) Peter's journey to Cæsarea (vers. 23, 24); (4) The meeting of Peter and Cornelius (vers. 25– 29); (5) Cornelius' explanation of his vision (vers. 30-33). = was 17. doubted in himself as in the R. V., 66 much perplexed what the vision might mean. Peter's vision, unlike that of Cornelius, was vague and indefinite, and needed explanation. 19. three men. The soldier and two servants of Cornelius; cf. ver. 7. 23. certain of the brethren. According to xi. 12, six men accompanied Peter to Cæsarea, and afterwards also went with him to Jerusalem. 24. And the morrow after. Though the journey was only 30 miles-at the rate at which travelling was possible at this time-it could not be accomplished in a single day. 25. worshipped him. Cornelius had been so impressed with the vision that, Roman though he was, he greeted Peter with the most profound homage. The word "worship" does not necessarily imply the reverence due only to God; cf. Matt. xviii. 26. 28. to keep company or come unto = to associate with or come into the house of. The spirit of exclusiveness which characterised strict Jews almost amounted to caste. Even to enter the house of a Gentile, much more to eat with him, constituted ceremonial uncleanness (cf. xi. 3; Gal. ii. 12). This rule was very hard upon Jews who travelled in foreign countries. If they were anxious to be exact in the observance of the Law, they had to restrict themselves to a diet of fruit and vegetables. Josephus tells us of certain priests who had been taken as prisoners to Rome, and found themselves obliged, in order not to break the Law, to live on nuts and figs. It was this exclusiveness which gave rise to the charge of "hatred to the human race" which is so often brought against the Jews of this period. 30. a man ... in bright apparel. A phrase used by Luke on several occasions to describe an angel: cf. Luke xxiv. 4; Acts i. 10. THE CONVERSION OF THE FIRST III. PETER'S ADDRESS TO CORNELIUS AND HIS 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I per35 ceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is 36 accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he 37 is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, 38 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 39 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 40 hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and 41 shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat 42 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 43 quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall 44 receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the 45 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 46 Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and 47 magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have re48 ceived 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. Peter's address, of which Luke only gives us a bare résumé, assumes a knowledge of the main facts of Christianity on the part of Cornelius and his friends. This knowledge, as has already been suggested, was probably derived from Philip. Peter adds very little to what he has said in other speeches. His general line of thought is in keeping with the theological outlook of the primitive Church. The opening verse, however, marks a most important development. It not merely recognises the principle that Christianity is meant for the Gentiles, but it practically obliterates the distinction between Jew and Gentile. 35. in every nation he that feareth. This is one of the broadest enunciations of the universality of true religion found in the New Testament. It may be compared with the four great utterances of Paul on the same sub |