Introduction

 

I.        Through Acts 10 the gospel had been somewhat limited in its outreach.

II.       With the conversion of Cornelius and his household things changed.

III.      Interestingly, in short order we have two accounts of these conversions.

IV.      Important questions are raised as we consider this series of events.

A.       Exactly when did the Spirit fall upon Cornelius and his company?

B.       What was the purpose of the Spirit falling upon them?

C.      When were they saved?

 

Text

 

I.        A harmony of the conversion of Cornelius and his household.

A.       The angel appears to Cornelius.

B.       Peter has a vision.

C.      The Spirit told Peter to go with the messengers.

D.      Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house.

E.       As Peter spoke the spirit fell upon the listeners.

F.       Peter’s sermon to the household of Cornelius.

G.      Peter commands them to be baptized.

II.      Observations regarding this conversion.

A.       Religious people need to be saved.

1.       Many people believe that if you are religious, you will be saved.

2.       Most would grant Cornelius salvation before Peter showed up.

3.       Yet, he needed to be told “words by which you…will be saved”.

4.       Being religious isn’t what saves you; it’s the blood of Christ!

B.       The gospel is for all.

1.       Peter understood God to be exclusively Israel’s God.

2.       The vision and subsequent events showed Peter that his understanding is not true (Acts 10: 34-35).

C.      The purpose of the Spirit falling on them.

1.       Some erroneously think it was to save Cornelius and his family.

2.       The purpose was to show Jewish brethren that God grants Gentiles the same opportunity for salvation (Acts 11:18).

D.      The point at which Cornelius was saved.

1.       Remember that Cornelius was told to send for Peter, who would tell him “what you must do.” (Acts 10:6).

2.       If the angel spoke the truth Cornelius could not be saved until he heard those “words” and obeyed them.

3.       Thus Cornelius and his household were not saved until they “believed and were baptized” (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12-13).

 

Conclusion

 

I.        While miraculous events surrounded the conversion of Cornelius and his household, ultimately their salvation was no different than anyone else’s.

II.       As Peter said at the council, it is “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” that both Gentiles and Jews are saved (Acts 15:11).

III.      The grace of God that saves does require a response.

A.       A response of faith (Acts 10:43).

B.       A faith in Jesus that comes by hearing the gospel (Acts 10:42).

C.      A faith that expresses itself in obedience (Hebrews 5:9).