W𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕝𝕪 B𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕠𝕗 A𝕔𝕥𝕤 10 21-33

The Message Begins To Go Out To The Nations: 21 - So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. 24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter took hold of him and said, "Stand up! I am nothing more than a man." 27 As Peter entered the house, he was still talking with Cornelius. Many people were there, 28 and he told them, “You know it is against our laws to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with any one not Hebrew (Jewish). But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as common or of too sinful a nation. 29 And so when you sent for me, I came without any objection. I ask then, for what matter have you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house at about this same time, three in the afternoon, when suddenly, a man in shining clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He said, "Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and he knows about your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 I sent for you at once, and you have been good enough to come. All of us are here in the presence of the Lord God, to hear all the Lord has commanded you.” [Or, “to hear the message the Lord has given you” New Living Translation, NLT.]

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     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest.

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