Acts 10:17-23 - Do not hesitate to go with them

10:17,18

Peter was wondering why he had received these visions, and what they might mean. As he was doing this the men sent by Cornelius arrived. This is an example of God’s perfect timing, and His ordering of events. However, God’s ordering of events, His sovereignty, does not mean that we are mere puppets. If we look at the Bible we see that people’s responses, actions etc are always important. The god-fearing life of Cornelius was important, the need to change Peter’s thinking was important. The visitors asked if Peter was there.

10:19,20

The Spirit spoke to Peter, telling him that three men were arriving. God communicates with His people. Peter is told to go with them without hesitation. This is the reason that Peter received the vision. Jews and Gentiles kept their distance from each other, so there was a great cultural barrier to be overcome. The vision about Peter overcoming the cultural food barrier was a preparation for his overcoming this much more important barrier.

10:21-23

So Peter went down to the men, asking why they had come. At this point while Peter has been prepared to do something way outside his normal cultural bounds he has no idea what, except that now it is clear it will involve Gentiles.  The men were also aware of the cultural barriers, so they stress that Cornelius is a God-fearing man and one who has spoken well of the Jewish nation. They also told Peter about the visit from an angel. Jews held angels in high regard, so this would perhaps make it easier for Peter to accept the situation. Peter invited them to be his guests, and they then left to go and see Cornelius the next day. Peter wisely took some “brothers” (ie disciples) with him.Others witnessing events would be important. Peter’s inviting the men in was a key step, for Jews did not normally invite Gentiles into their house, as it was assumed a Gentile had probably worshipped idols, or was in some other way “unclean”.