Page 56 - Acts Student Textbook

He gave much alms to the people (cf. vv 4,31). Alms are charitable gifts: donations to help the poor
and needy. Often people think that a generous, charitable, sharing person is surely acceptable to
God. And these surely are good qualities. Cornelius gave much to charity and needy people, but he
still needed to be saved. He prayed to God always — i.e., regularly, frequently. (Cf.10:30,31). He was
a concerned family man — He feared God with his entire house. Not only was he trying to serve God,
but he was leading his whole family to do right. (Cf. v24,33). In general, he was a good moral man
with a good reputation. His servants said he was “a just (righteous — ASV) man,” well reported of by
the Jews (v22).

Is this your concept of a lost sinner? Most people today would say surely such a man is saved. This
man had all these qualities, but the angel of the Lord said he still needed to be saved (11:14).

Cornelius’ vision about Peter (10:1-8)

About the ninth hour (3:00 PM) he saw a vision (οραµα) — literally, “that which is seen.” In Scripture
this often means an inspired revelation by means of something a person sees (cf. Acts 9:10;
10:3,17,19;11:5; 12:9; 16:9,10; 18:9). The angel assured Cornelius that God remembered his prayers
and alms (10:4). We are not told what Cornelius prayed for, but we are told what answer he was
given: he was granted in response to his prayer, not direct forgiveness, but an opportunity to hear
the gospel. In any case, God did not “hear” Cornelius in the same sense that he “hears” faithful
Christians.

In what state was Peter when he saw a vision (10:9-16)?

11:5 says Peter saw a vision while in a trance. “Trance” (εκστασις) is “a mental state in which the
senses are partially or wholly suspended and the person is unconscious of his environment while he
contemplates some extraordinary object” (Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary). Hence, the vision
is the thing seen, and the trance is the mental state at the time. Again, this occurred at noon, hence
broad daylight.

Peter receives the delegation from Cornelius (10:17-23a). Peter and Cornelius exchange their
revelations (10:23b-33).

How does Peter deal with the religious reverence given to him (10:25, 26)?

Peter rebuked Cornelius for bowing before him (10:25,26). Peter raised Cornelius up saying, “Stand
up; I myself am also a man.” Note the reason why Peter refused to allow this act of religious honor:
because he was a man. The fact one is a man is, of itself, reason enough to conclude that men have
no right to bow in religious reverence or as a form of religious respect. The same is true when done
toward angels or any created thing (Rev. 22:8,9; Rom. 1:25).

Some respond that they are bowing, not to worship the man, but to show respect because the man is
a representative of God. So they bow to worship the God who sent the man. But Peter also was a
representative of God, yet the fact remains that Peter said to stand up and forbade the bowing,
period! He did not say it would be acceptable provided they made sure they were doing it because
he was a representative of God. He said to stop it! Peter proclaims Christ to Cornelius’ household
(10:34-43). The Gentiles receive the Spirit and baptism (10:44-48).

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