Peter’s encounter with Cornelius in Acts 10 was a door opener that makes possible our ministry to international students today. Until that time the gospel had spread only to Jews (or proselytes to Judaism, as in Acts 8) and the early Jewish Christians still had major obstacles to overcome in their thinking regarding “unclean” Gentiles becoming followers of Christ. Peter, the designated leader of the new movement, was no exception. But in Acts 10, God used Peter to take the gospel to Cornelius and his household and they became the first fully Gentile believers. God so clearly moved in this incident that it was unmistakably clear to Peter, who then made it clear to others (Acts 11:1-18; Acts 15:6-11), that the door was now open for Gentiles to come to Christ—without the baggage of the Old Testament law. Let us notice three things about this important encounter.
First, it was an unexpected encounter. Peter was just minding his own business, praying on the roof (do we really expect anything to happen when we pray?), not thinking at all about bold new initiatives for the gospel to Gentiles, when God gave him a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven with unclean animals on it, and God saying, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” God had to repeat the vision three times to overcome Peter’s resistance, for he could not imagine himself eating those unclean animals. The vision was immediately followed by a knock on the front door and a request by messengers from Cornelius that Peter come to Caesarea to share with him the good news from God. Peter got the message—the vision was not just about food, but about people—he was not to consider the Gentiles unclean any longer but was to openly share the good news with them.
Second, it was a thrilling encounter. Peter had a direct vision from God, followed by an unmistakably providential knock on the door, followed by an unbelievably amazing opportunity. When he arrived at Cornelius’ house, there was Cornelius—a classic “man of peace,” together with a large gathering of his family and friends, eagerly waiting for Peter to tell them whatever God wanted them to know! And after hardly beginning to share with them, the whole room full of people received the Holy Spirit and were converted. It is a thrilling thing to see God unmistakably at work in your midst.
Third, it was a strategic encounter. This was not just any room full of people who came to Christ—these were the first Gentile believers. The implications were enormous—the door was now open for the gospel to go the Gentiles. Christianity was no longer to be a small reform movement with Judaism, but to be universal movement embracing the whole world—every tribe, language, people, and nation. With few exceptions, we are Gentiles and the international students we are reaching are Gentiles. Peter opened the door for us to do this strategic ministry.
First, it was an unexpected encounter. Peter was just minding his own business, praying on the roof (do we really expect anything to happen when we pray?), not thinking at all about bold new initiatives for the gospel to Gentiles, when God gave him a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven with unclean animals on it, and God saying, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” God had to repeat the vision three times to overcome Peter’s resistance, for he could not imagine himself eating those unclean animals. The vision was immediately followed by a knock on the front door and a request by messengers from Cornelius that Peter come to Caesarea to share with him the good news from God. Peter got the message—the vision was not just about food, but about people—he was not to consider the Gentiles unclean any longer but was to openly share the good news with them.
Second, it was a thrilling encounter. Peter had a direct vision from God, followed by an unmistakably providential knock on the door, followed by an unbelievably amazing opportunity. When he arrived at Cornelius’ house, there was Cornelius—a classic “man of peace,” together with a large gathering of his family and friends, eagerly waiting for Peter to tell them whatever God wanted them to know! And after hardly beginning to share with them, the whole room full of people received the Holy Spirit and were converted. It is a thrilling thing to see God unmistakably at work in your midst.
Third, it was a strategic encounter. This was not just any room full of people who came to Christ—these were the first Gentile believers. The implications were enormous—the door was now open for the gospel to go the Gentiles. Christianity was no longer to be a small reform movement with Judaism, but to be universal movement embracing the whole world—every tribe, language, people, and nation. With few exceptions, we are Gentiles and the international students we are reaching are Gentiles. Peter opened the door for us to do this strategic ministry.