On 10-18-15, Acts 10:24-38 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Peter Takes a Risk or Peter Preaches to Gentiles

Peter Takes a Risk

 or 

Peter Preaches to Gentiles

Acts 10:24-38

October 18, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Do you worship in a congregation that is all black or all white?  You can ask a similar question of any difference that separates us.  

It might be that it is just because that is all that there is where you live but that seems to be how we operate.  If we all only spoke German we would congregate with other Germans because that is what we understand.  But do you ever have a desire to congregate with those who are different?  Do you feel like you could make a difference for others apart from where all are like you?

God calls missionaries especially in this way and others He calls to make a difference for those who are different then they are.  Different in color, culture, language or just because they are not Christians.  Some listen and some do not heed God’s call.

Peter did not argue; it would have been pretty hard to I think.  Earlier in chapter 10 we read that first he has a vision from heaven and then the Spirit tells him that men are waiting for him downstairs and they are!

They were not what a Jew would have in the past considered pure but after the vision and then his discussion in today’s scripture we know Peter would have not missed the point.

You and I might not have the luxury of the vision but you know you have heard the Spirit’s voice!  What might happen to us if we pursue where that voice takes us?

For Peter there was a bit of a journey as it wasn’t just across town that this man Cornelius was waiting.  We might have to go on a journey too whether it be literal or figurative to share God’s message with those who have not heard it or with those who have heard it incorrectly.

Cornelius anxiously awaited the message that God had prepared him to receive.  You see it wasn’t just Peter who was being spoke to and I find that aspect very exciting.  God might be preparing a people for you.

Peter found a large gathering of people because Cornelius shared with “his relatives and close friends”.  We have no knowledge based on the scriptures that He knew what he was going to hear, that was Peter’s job which he completed by heeding the call and sharing the news of Jesus in the remainder of Acts 10.

What do you get from this that pertains to you?  As much as you care to make of it.  Who knows how many are waiting for you?!

For Discussion: 

1. Discuss how Peter states, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel…” and how people may have heard of Jesus but that is not enough.
2. Discuss how important verse 25 and 26 are so that they do not happen among us.
3. Discuss how God works with those He calls both Christian and non.
4. Discuss how Peter reacted and how Cornelius reacted to the messages they were given before they met.
5. Discuss the feeling of reverence that Cornelius felt.
6. What else would God think of each of us besides that we are each not impure or unclean?
7. Discuss how what Peter had grown up believing could have ruined everything.

Upcoming Lessons

10-25-15   Trusting the Spirit or Peter Defends His Actions    Acts 11:1-18

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved