Acts 10

Commentary

Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Acts, as it marks the beginning of the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles. The chapter begins with the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who is described as a devout man who feared God and gave generously to the poor. Cornelius has a vision in which an angel of God tells him to send for Peter, who is staying in Joppa. Peter, meanwhile, has a vision of his own in which he is commanded to eat all kinds of animals, which were considered unclean by Jewish law. Peter is confused by this vision, but God tells him that he should not call anything impure that God has made clean. This is a clear indication that God is opening the door for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles. When Peter arrives at Cornelius' house, he is surprised to find a large gathering of Gentiles there. Peter preaches the gospel to them, and the Holy Spirit falls upon them, just as it had on the Jews at Pentecost. This is a clear sign that God is now including the Gentiles in his plan of salvation. The chapter ends with Peter and the other apostles realizing that God has no partiality and that he accepts all who believe in him, regardless of their background. This is a powerful message of inclusion and acceptance that is still relevant today. It is a reminder that God loves all people and that his grace is available to all who believe in him.