Lesson 14:
The Gospel Spreads and Converts
the First Gentiles to Christ (10:1-11:18)
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful
Facts for Further Bible Study
A. Cornelius was instructed by God to send for Peter to
hear the gospel message (10:1-8).
1. Cornelius lived in Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman
government in Palestine.
2. Cornelius was a godly man, whose piety is given much detail in
Scripture (10:2-3).
3. At the 3:00 p.m. hour of prayer (10:30), an angel appeared to
Cornelius (10:3; 11:13).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful
Facts for Further Bible Study
B. The day after Cornelius’ vision, Peter saw a vision
from heaven (10:9-23; 11:4-12).
1. Peter was shown all kinds of animals & told to eat (10:11-13).
2. Peter refused to eat anything ceremonially unclean to a Jew (Lev.
11:4; Deut. 14:3-7).
3. Peter did not understand that the Law of Moses was no longer
binding (Col. 2:14).
4. He was shown the vision 3 times to establish it was from God &
that it would happen.
5. Peter continued to be perplexed to explain the vision (10:17).
6. He made the right connection that the animals in the sheet were
people (10:28).
7. The Spirit told Peter to go with Cornelius’ men, without doubting
(10:20; 11:12).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful
Facts for Further Bible Study
C. Peter went to Caesarea, to the home of a Gentile,
with six fellow Jews (10:24-33; 11:12).
1. Four days after his vision, Cornelius had gathered his
relatives and friends (10:24).
2. Peter told them it was unlawful (acc. to Jewish custom) for
him to be there (10:28).
3. From Cornelius’ explanation, Peter realized God had been
working on both sides.
4. Peter was to speak “all the things commanded…by God” to
be saved (10:32-33; 11:14).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful
Facts for Further Bible Study
D. Peter preached to the Gentiles about Jesus Christ
and the universal gospel (10:34-48).
1. The Lord had opened Peter’s eyes through the sheet vision
& now through Cornelius.
2. The same gospel Peter had preached to the Jews was what
he preached to Gentiles.
3. To confirm to Peter God’s hand in these events, the Spirit
visibly fell on the Gentiles.
4. The same command to be baptized, that Peter gave the
Jews, he gave the Gentiles.
II. Significant Truths from this
Passage for Our Understanding
C. The gospel is for all!
1. God does not show partiality based upon the external
(10:34; cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).
2. “Every nation” has the opportunity to be “accepted by God”
(10:35).
3. The conditions are the same for all, and anyone (i.e.,
“whoever”) may obey.
a) Fear God and work His commandments steadfastly (cf. Ecc. 12:13;
Ps. 119:172).
4. Jesus is the Lord of all, having rightful authority over all
(10:36).
a) Therefore, all people (saint and sinner) are amenable to the
authority of Christ.
II. Significant Truths from this
Passage for Our Understanding
C. The gospel is for all!
5. Jesus came for, lived for, was killed for and was raised for all
people (10:37-41).
6. The gospel is to be preached to “all people,” for He will
judge all people (10:42).
7. The opportunity to be saved through His name is given to
all (i.e., “whoever”) (10:43).
II. Significant Truths from this
Passage for Our Understanding
D. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was
before and separate from salvation!
1. It is critical to keep Acts 11 with Acts 10. Acts 11:4-17 are
the events “in order” (v.4).
2. When Cornelius sent for Peter & when Peter arrived,
Cornelius was not saved (11:14)!
3. Peter went to Cornelius to tell him things commanded by
God (10:33; 11:14).
4. “Peter opened his mouth” (10:34) and “began to speak”
(11:15). They’re not saved!
II. Significant Truths from this
Passage for Our Understanding
D. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was
before and separate from salvation!
5. Just as he “began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them”
(11:15). Not saved yet!
a) This all happened before hearing or responding to the message of
salvation (14).
b) The Holy Spirit came as a sign to Peter and his companions (10:45;
11:15-18).
6. The Gentiles began to speak in tongues, magnifying the gift
of the Spirit (10:46).
7. Peter preached the life, death and resurrection of Christ
(10:36-42). Not saved yet!
II. Significant Truths from this
Passage for Our Understanding
D. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles was
before and separate from salvation!
8. Peter then told how to “receive remission of sins” (because
they didn’t have it yet):
a) “Believe in Him” (10:43) – emphasizing lifetime of obedient faith
b) “Repent unto life” (11:18) – opportunity to repent unto (“eis”) life
c) “Commanded them to be baptized” (10:48) – for remission (2:38)
d) “Through” or “in the name (by authority) of the Lord” (10:43, 48).
9. If, as is claimed, the Holy Spirit fell on them (and saved
them) before baptism:
a) Then the Holy Spirit saved them before they believed (10:43).
b) Then the Holy Spirit saved them before they heard (11:15).
II. Significant Truths from this
Passage for Our Understanding
E. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is only recorded twice in
the New Testament.
1. On Pentecost (“at the beginning,” 11:15) upon the 12 apostles
(Jews) in Acts 2:1-4.
2. On this occasion, in Acts 10, “God gave [the Gentiles] the same
gift” (11:17).
3. Peter drew a parallel between the events on Pentecost (Acts 2)
and these events.
4. Peter connected the events with Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:5
(11:16).
5. Peter called it “the same gift” (11:17), having said they received
“just as we” (10:47).
6. Joel prophesied the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel
2:28; Ac. 2:17; 10:45).
7. “To the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20), “there is one baptism” (Eph.
4:5)—i.e., in water.
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful
Facts for Further Bible Study
E. Peter defended his actions to the Jews by saying it was
God’s will and not his (11:1-18).
1. He was told in a vision, “What God has cleansed you must not
call common” (11:9).
2. “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing”
(11:12).
3. “He told us how he had seen an angel…who said to him, “…Call
for Peter” (11:13).
4. “The Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us” (11:15).
5. “Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said…”
(11:16).
6. KEY: “If therefore God gave them…who was I that I could
withstand God?” (11:17).
7. “When they heard…they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has
also granted’” (11:18).
III. Practical Points of Application
for Our Lives
A. We need to call together our family and close friends to hear
the gospel!
B. We need to recognize the gospel is for all and to take it to all
without doubting!
C. We don’t need to change the message to fit the hearers; the
same message is for all!
D. We don’t need to question God’s plan; we just need to
submit to it and obey it!