Acts (9)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 10 (Lesson 9) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 10.17-23.
The plot thickens. In act 1, Cornelius had a vision, then explained it to some servants and sent them on a mission to find Peter in Joppa. Now we come to scene 2 of act 2, which follows immediately on Peter’s vision.

For reflection
1.  We left Peter perplexed about what he had seen, just as men arrived inquiring as to his whereabouts. Now comes a verbal revelation from God (v. 19), but only so much, not the whole story. Peter didn’t know why he was to go with these men, no more than we can know everything we might like about what God intends for us each day. Faith requires obedience only for the next step. How do you apply this “next step” principle to your daily walk with and work for the Lord?

2.  God is the only one who needs to know how it all works out. The men explained that Peter was to come to the home of Cornelius and speak. About what? Was there some problem with him being out of Jerusalem? Had authorities there sent to Cornelius to call and bring him back? What “words” was he supposed to give? How do you suppose Peter was feeling at this moment? Do you ever feel this way, when you think about sharing the Gospel with someone?

3.  It will take an “Aha!” moment for Peter to connect scene 1 with scene 2, but that will only happen in act 3, as God’s little drama reaches its denouement and the plot comes fully out in the open. Peter reckoned, “Better sleep on this for a night” (v. 23). And they did. Peter wasn’t delaying; he was preparing. How do you prepare for the possibility of sharing Gospel words with someone each day?

4.  God is sovereign in the work of advancing His Kingdom. He uses many people in various tasks to achieve particular ends. Every player in this little drama had a role in the redemptive work of God, just as every member of the Body of Christ has something to contribute to the ongoing work of the Lord in our own day. What do you expect to contribute to the ongoing work of Christ today?

5.  What have you learned thus far in Acts 10 about God’s work in the Gospel and yours? What does God do? What should you be doing? What “next steps” make for being always ready to explain the hope that is within you to someone who might ask (1 Pet. 3.15)?

Summary
You have to step back a bit from this story of Cornelius and Peter to appreciate all that God had done and was doing to bring us to act 3. Meditate on Cornelius in Caesarea (I’ll resist the “name-game” temptation with that place name). Then meditate on Peter arriving in Joppa. How can you see that God was at work, preparing each man for what will happen next. Do you believe God is at work in you and in the people in your Personal Mission Field like this? Explain.

Closing Prayer
The LORD is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
That He may seat him with princes—
With the princes of His people.
He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 113.4-9

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

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