Welcome to Personal Worship! This is Week 8 of our Life of Peter series, and it’s the last one. This has been a great series learning from the life of the man who is arguably the most relatable out of all the disciples. There’s so much of Peter in each one of us, and it’s been wonderful to see this bold man of faith go out on a high note.
We’ll be reading Acts chapter 10 this week and learning about the interaction between Peter and a Roman military commander named Cornelius. These two men would have had some fairly strong preconceived ideas about one another, and God is in the business of cutting through our cultural differences to remind us that our most important identity is being a child of God.
Join us for “A Tale of Two Visions.”
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Staying in Your Box
Observe
Meet Cornelius, a God-fearing man who was a Centurion (a commander of about eighty men) in a Cohort (one tenth of a Legion, or around six hundred men). Cornelius doesn’t appear to be a full convert (not yet!), but he was keenly interested in the God of Israel. As we will see, God was interested in Cornelius, also.
Acts 10:1-8
Peter and Cornelius
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Matthew 9:10-13
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Anyone labeled as a “God-fearer” by the Jews of that day would have been generally well-regarded by them. Cornelius was almost certainly someone the Jews in Caesarea knew and liked. Even so, he would not have been permitted to enter the Temple, nor would any Jew have entered his house or invited Cornelius to enter theirs. Nor would a devout Jew have eaten a meal with him. Since the church was almost exclusively Jewish at its start, Cornelius would be an outsider there as well. He was in a box labeled “Gentile,” albeit a smaller box of “Gentiles we kind of like,” but still branded as “other.” Cornelius appears to have accepted his status, but God had other plans. It is not unusual today to meet someone who finds it difficult to turn to the Lord because they don’t believe they fit the mold of being a follower of Jesus.
- For those who grew up in church, there has likely been a time when they felt as if they didn’t fit in and thus didn’t belong here. For those who made a decision on their own to start coming to church, there was a likely time before they made that decision when they also felt as if they wouldn’t fit in and thus didn’t belong in church. Whichever of those groups you fall into, what was it that made you feel that way about church, or even turning to God at all?
- Since you are here, and especially because you’re doing personal worship (yay!), it’s fair for us to assume that something changed in your thinking. What was it that changed?
Heavenly Father, you called me to yourself when I was wandering far away from you. If I thought of you at all, it was either to wonder if you really existed or to imagine what you might expect from me. You reconciled me to yourself, and through that, reconciled me to my brothers and sisters. Thank you for making my place in you secure and giving me a new identity as your child.
Day 2
Putting People in Boxes
Observe
God started breaking Cornelius out of his box through a vision, now God sends a vision to Peter as well. The vision is one of food—clean vs. unclean, but that’s not what the vision was about and Peter knew that. God was preparing him for something.
Acts 10:9-16
Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
James 2:1-7
The Sin of Partiality
2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
Romans 16:17-18
Final Instructions and Greetings
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Matthew 7:1-5
Judging Others
7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Jewish dietary laws are quite specific as to what you can and cannot eat. Today, Orthodox Jews who follow the kashrut, or the laws of dietary observance, go to great lengths in order to keep their kosher observance. A kitchen designed for keeping kosher would have two sinks, two ovens, two sets of dishes, two sets of pots, etc. A dish with dairy in it can’t be cooked in the same oven as one uses to cook meat, because of the possible interplay of milk and meat through zeiah (steam) and reicha (by imparting odor). As a Jew, Peter was rightly appalled at the thought of eating unclean food. But the vision God sent had to do with putting things in boxes—clean or unclean, people or food. Many people see church as monocultural, and that’s not talking about racial cultures (though there are clearly distinctives at churches that are either predominantly white or predominantly black). The culture at a predominantly white Presbyterian church is quite different from the culture at a predominantly white Assemblies of God church. At some churches, no one thinks twice if someone heavily tattooed with a salty vocabulary shows up, while at a different church they’d cause a scandal. (There are limits, of course. We would not tolerate openly sinful practices in the name of cultural diversity.) Yesterday we considered this from the outside looking in, today we think about how we on the inside make this better or worse.
- What is it about someone that causes you to wonder “what are they doing here?” Conversely, what prompts you to think someone will “fit right in?”
- Are such opinions judgmental, or discerning? Why?
Dear God, as much as my mind wants to insist that I have no built in biases toward people, my heart knows the truth. I have made judgments about what kind of a person someone was based on how they dressed or some words that they spoke. I put them in a metaphorical box and felt justified in making no effort to understand them or learn more about them. Lord forgive me for this sin! Stir up a desire in me to see people through our common identity in you.
Day 3
Welcome!
Observe
Cornelius’ men made the thirty mile trip from Caesarea in a hurry. Cornelius had his vision at 3 PM (Acts 10:3) and they arrived at Simon’s house in Joppa shortly after noon the next day. There was a sense of urgency. In a breach of Jewish custom, Peter invited these men to stay in Simon’s house overnight as guests.
Acts 10:17-23a
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
Galatians 2:11-21
Paul Opposes Peter
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Justified by Faith
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Peter shows that he understood what God’s vision meant by inviting these men to stay as guests. It would have been customary for a Jewish man hosting Gentile guests to find them space in a nearby inn. Peter pushed right past that. The first step toward letting the identity of being God’s people rise to the top of our church culture is to stop remaining at arm’s length from each other. God says his people come from “every tribe and nation.” We should celebrate that as much as he does!
Notes for Bible nerds: Peter needed this lesson reinforced. In Galatians chapter 2, Paul confronted Peter over Peter’s lapse back into separating God’s people into boxes labeled “circumsized” and “uncircumsized.” (Galatians 2:14, But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”)
- Would someone who just started attending our church feel welcome?
- What could you do to ensure that they felt welcome?
Lord, you always make us feel welcome. When Jesus met the disciples on the beach, he had already cooked food over a fire and he invited them to come eat breakfast. In the story of the prodigal son, you told us the father ran to meet his son when he saw his son returning home. Jesus told us that the Good Shepherd will leave 99 sheep (safe in their pen) to go after the one that is lost. You will welcome us to heaven by preparing a place for us there now. Let your Spirit work in our hearts so we might do no less as your ambassadors to a broken world.
Day 4
Just a Man
Observe
Peter shows up at the home of Cornelius, who fell at his feet to worship him. Peter lifts him up, telling Cornelius that he is just a man, and explains the vision God gave him.
Acts 10:23b-33
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Colossians 3:5
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Philippians 3:17-21
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
The lure of celebrity is hard to resist. How many prominent Christian leaders do we need to see fall before we recognize there is something terrible about fame and power? Peter’s words as he lifts Cornelius back to his feet, “I too am a man,” aren’t some expression of false humility. What Peter had experienced, from the bitter despair of seeing Jesus arrested and then denying he even knew Jesus to the indescribable joy of seeing Jesus alive again and answering those probing questions on the beach, had transformed him. Whatever other failings Peter may still have, he knew for certain that the gospel wasn’t about Peter becoming important. There are no celebrities in the body of Christ. There is only one hero, and only one who deserves our worship: Jesus!
- It seems to be human nature to crave idols, whether those are people or things. Why do you think that happens?
- How can we identify our own idolatries? How should we handle them once we do?
Heavenly Father, it seems we’ve always created idols for ourselves. In the Garden of Eden, long before the Israelites made that first golden calf, Adam’s pride led him to make an idol out of the very idea that he might become like you. How ironic that this is what you want for us, also. Yet it is only by dying to self that we become like you. Guide me to root out the idols in my life, Lord, and conform me to the image of your Son.
Day 5
No Lone Rangers
Observe
Peter preaches the gospel to those gathered at the home of Cornelius, they believed, and the Holy Spirit confirmed for Peter and those who had come with him that the gospel was not only for the Jews.
Acts 10:34-48
Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Galatians 3:27-28
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
One Body with Many Members
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
The story concludes with those people gathered by Cornelius (Romans, most likely) hearing and believing the gospel. Similar to the apostles in Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit came upon these new believers in an undeniable way. As a result, Peter and those who had traveled with him could not deny that this message was not only for the Jews, but also for the rest of the world. Peter’s call for them to be baptised with water, the sign of the New Covenant (as circumcision was to being a Jew), established that they were included in the church. God does not want disaffected loners seeking to worship him on their own. God wants one body, one church, and through these two visions he set up the miraculous circumstances that brought it about. God wants his people connected.
- Why do you think people disconnect from the church?
- If someone were to tell you that “while they liked Jesus well enough, they just couldn’t stand the church,” what would you say to them?
Dear Lord, Paul writes in Galatians that we who are baptized into Christ are no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, but are all one in Christ Jesus. This is our identity now, more than any other, and you want us to become the many parts of a single body. Unite us in your Spirit, Lord.