Acts 11:14

11:1-18 The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.

10:19-33 When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say.

Who shall tell thee words,.... Preach doctrines, such as relate to the person and office of Christ, to peace and pardon, and righteousness and salvation by him; such as Peter did preach, as appears by his discourse in the preceding chapter: whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved; that is, which would be a means of instructing him and his family in the right and true way of salvation; for the Gospel only points out the way of salvation, and is only effectual to it, when it is accompanied with, the power of God: multitudes hear it, and yet are not saved by and those to whom it comes not in word only, but in power, are saved only by Christ, who is revealed in it, as God's way of salvation; it is not bare hearing the word and attending on ordinances that will save any, only such who believe in Christ with the heart, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel, are saved; and still less are any saved by the faith of others; the house or family of Cornelius were not saved by his believing in Christ; but the words of faith and sound doctrine being preached to them, as to him, and faith coming thereby to one as to another, they were saved in one and the same way, namely, through faith in Christ Jesus.

God promises that upon his obedience to this oracle, in sending for Peter, he should tell him those things that were necessary to be known by him and his whole family unto their salvation. Whatsoever was formerly the case of such as obeyed the precepts of Noah, (as they were called), after Christ is come, and preached unto the world, there is no other way unto salvation but through him.

14. Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved—The historian makes the angel express this much more generally (Ac 10:6). So also the subsequent report of it by the deputies and by Cornelius himself to Peter (Ac 10:22, 32). But as Peter tarried with Cornelius certain days, and they doubtless talked over the wonderful scene together, perhaps this fuller and richer form of what the angel said was given to Peter; or the apostle himself may have expressed what the angel certainly designed by directing them to send for him. Observe, "salvation" is here made to hang upon "words," that is, the Gospel message concerning Christ. But on the "salvation" of Cornelius, see on [1990]Ac 10:34, 35. On that of his "house," see on [1991]Lu 19:10.

(14) Whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. —The words are not found in the report of the angel’s speech in Acts 10:4-6 , but may legitimately be thought of as implied in it. The prayer of Cornelius had been for salvation, and when he was told, in answer to that prayer, to send for one who should speak to him, it must have been clear to him that he was to hear of that way of salvation which he had been seeking.

And all thy house - Thy family. This is a circumstance which his omitted in the account in Acts 10 :It is said, however, in Acts 10:2 , that Cornelius feared God with all his house. It is evident from Acts 10:48 that the family also received the ordinance of baptism, and was received into the church.

[Bible] 10:44. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. 10:45. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. 10:46. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. 10:47. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? 10:48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days. Acts Chapter 11 Peter defends his having received the Gentiles into the church. 11:1. And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 11:2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 11:3. Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them? 11:4. But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying: 11:5. I was in the city of Joppe praying: and I saw in an ecstasy of mind a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. And it came even unto me. 11:6. Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air. 11:7. And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat. 11:8. And I said: Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. 11:9. And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common. 11:10. And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven. 11:11. And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea. 11:12. And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house.

[Bible] 10:5. And now send men to Joppe: and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter. 10:6. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. He will tell thee what thou must do. 10:7. And when the angel who spoke to him was departed, he called two of his household servants and a soldier who feared the Lord, of them that were under him. 10:8. To whom when he had related all, he sent them to Joppe. 10:9. And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour. 10:10. And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind. 10:11. And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth: 10:12. Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and fowls of the air. 10:13. And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat. 10:14. But Peter said: Far be it from me. For I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean. 10:15. And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common. 10:16. And this was done thrice. And presently the vessel was taken up into heaven. 10:17. Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself what the vision that he had seen should mean, behold the men who were sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simon's house, stood at the gate. 10:18. And when they had called, they asked if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 10:19. And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold three men seek thee. 10:20. Arise, therefore: get thee down and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 10:21. Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek. What is the cause for which you are come?