HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS

Lesson 6 --- The Conversion of a Good Man

(Peter Preached to the Gentiles)

(Acts 10 - 12)
I. Background of the Conversion of CORNELIUS

(Acts 10:1-4)

1. He was a SOLDIER in the Roman Army

(Acts 10:1)

2. He was a DEVOUT, very religious man

A Centurion

(Acts 10:1-3)

3. He FEARED God and so did his family!

See also Acts 10:22

See Ecclesiastes 12:13

4. He helped people in need a BENEVOLENT man

5. He was a PRAYERFUL man
NOTE: HE WAS A GOOD MAN, BUT HE WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN!
NOTE: HE WAS A RIGHTEOUS BELIEVER IN GOD, BUT HE WAS NOT A
CHRISTIAN!
NOTE: HE WAS NOT SAVED!

(See Acts 11:14)

II. Cornelius, a GENTILE, Became a Christian

(Acts 10:4-48)

1. An angel told him that his prayers had come up as a memorial offering
2. Send men to JOPPA and get PETER!

(10:4)

(Acts 10:5,6)

3. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved
(Acts 11:14)
4. Three men went to Joppa to get Peter
5.

(Acts 10:7, 8)

Peter had a VISION which taught him that when God made something clean, he
should not make it unclean (Acts 10:9-16)

6. The men arrived, and the SPIRIT told Peter to go with them
7. SIX JEWISH BROTHERS went with Peter
8. Peter preached the gospel to a large number

(Acts 10:17-21)

(Acts 10:22, 23; 11:12)

(Acts 10:24-43)

9. In every nation, those who fear God and do what is right will be accepted
10. As HE BEGAN TO SPEAK, the Holy Spirit fell on them
11. PETER commanded them to be BAPTIZED IN WATER
III. The MESSAGE that Peter Preached
(Acts 10:34-43)
1. Jesus, the fulfillment of prophecy

(Acts 10:43)

(10:34)

(10:44-46; 11:15)
(10:47, 48)

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

John the Baptist told about Him

(10:37)
He went around doing good
(10:38)
The Jews killed him
(10:39)
God RAISED Him
(10:40)
Seen by witnesses
(10:41)
Men must BELIEVE on Him
(10:43)
Forgiveness comes from God
(10:43)
He will JUDGE the world
(10:42)

IV. The Purpose of the MIRACLES When Cornelius Became a Christian

1. The ANGEL --- To Connect this Gentile with the gospel preached by Peter (10:1-4)
2. The VISION of Peter --- To show Peter he should not call Gentiles unclean
(Acts 10:9-16)
See also Acts 11:4-10
3. The SPIRIT speaking to Peter --- Convincing Peter to go and preach to Gentiles
(Acts 10:19, 20; 11:11, 12)
4. The SPIRIT falling on those who heard
(Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-17)
NOTE: ALL THESE MIRACLES HAD THE SAME PURPOSE --- TO SHOW
THAT GENTILES WERE ALSO TO RECEIVE THE GOSPEL!
V. This PURPOSE is SEEN VERY CLEARLY IN ACTS 11:1-18
1. Peter was CRITICIZED by Jewish brothers in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel to
GENTILES (Acts 11:1-3)
2. He then told the STORY AGAIN of how God called him to preach to Gentiles
(Acts 11:4-14)
3. He said, As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them ......

(Acts 11:15)

4. He was CONVINCED! He said, .... Who was I to think that I could oppose God?
(Acts 11:17)
5. The Jewish Christians were then CONVINCED!
VI. Barnabas Was Sent To Antioch To Help The Work There

(Acts 11:18)
(Acts 11:19-30)

1. He found SAUL and brought him to Antioch

(Acts 11:25)
2. The disciples were called CHRISTIANS first in Antioch
(Acts 11:26)
3. A FAMINE produced benevolent help for Christians in Judea
(Acts 11:27-30)
VII.

More Persecution in Jerusalem

1.
2.
3.
4.

(Acts 12:1-25)

JAMES, the apostle, was killed by HEROD AGRIPPA (Acts 12:1, 2)

He then arrested Peter, intending to kill him
(Acts 12:3, 4)
The church was PRAYING for Peter. The Lord released him
(Acts 12:5-19)
Herod later died a HORRIBLE DEATH
(Acts 12:20-25)