10:27-29
Peter went into the house, and there was a large crowd there. There are times when God builds up expectancy in people. In the West it is probably fair to say that for the most part we are more used to apathy when it comes to the gospel. This may well be the case now, but we should not lose heart, for when God chooses He will change the situation.
Peter starts by addressing directly the issue that must have been in everyone’s mind. How could a Jew associate with Gentiles? Then he tells them that God has shown him that he should not anyone impure or unclean. “Impure and unclean” were what the Jews thought of the Gentiles, and they knew it. So Peter explains why he is there, and has removed the barrier that might have been between them.
“May I ask why you sent for me?” Sometimes it is good to ask questions before embarking on the message. It helps build a connection, and gets people thinking.
10:30-33
So Cornelius tells Peter what happened. Note that in 10:3 it says Cornelius saw a vision of an “angel of God”, here he says he saw a man, though the man was in bright clothing. It is a feature of the Bible then when angels appear they often have the appearance of a man. It was a common literary feature of the time to repeat events, but to vary the wording a little. Cornelius essentially repeats the words of the beginning of the chapter. Cornelius believed they were all gathered in the presence of God, and they wanted to hear what Peter had “been commanded by God”. How do we gather on a Sunday morning, or at some other church gathering, small group or whatever? Do we expect to gather in the presence of God? When we listen to someone teaching are we expecting to just hear the ideas of a man or woman, or are we expecting to hear from God? And if we are the one teaching or preaching, do we aim to say what God has commanded us? By the way, this does not necessarily mean we have received a direct word from God, for we are commanded to preach and teach His word.
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