Bible Study Snacks, Acts 10:1-33

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. As always, I'd like to thank you for joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Ten (Verses 1-33).

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Study the conversion of Cornelius and his household, the first Gentiles to obey the gospel;

2) Note the need for religious and devout people to be saved, despite their good works.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 10:1-33.

Up to this time, the gospel had been preached only to Jews (also Samaritans, who shared a Jewish ancestry).With the conversion of Cornelius and his household, Gentiles are now granted repentance that leads to eternal life. Because the Law of Moses for generations had forbid socializing with Gentiles, it took a series of miraculous events to help Jewish Christians realize that they should no longer consider those of other nations as common or unclean.

We learn about Cornelius, a Roman soldier in Caesaria who is extremely religious. His fervent prayers and charity to the poor, though not saving him, are noticed by God.  In a vision, an angel of God instructs him to send men for Peter who would tell him what he needs to do (1-8).

As Cornelius' men are on their way, Peter has a vision in which the Lord tells him to kill and eat unclean animals. When he refuses, Peter is told what God has cleansed no one should call common or unclean.  As Peter contemplates the vision, the Spirit tells him that three men will seek him out and he should go without doubting. The men arrive and inform Peter about Cornelius. The next day, Peter and some brethren from Joppa accompany them back to Caesaria (9-23).

When he arrives, Peter finds a waiting audience in home of Cornelius. Cornelius falls down and worships at Peter's feet, but is kindly rebuked for doing so. Peter then explains how he has learned not to call any man common or unclean, and Cornelius relates his vision and charge to send for Peter. Now that Peter is there, Cornelius along with his family and friends are ready to hear the things Peter has been commanded by God to say (24-33).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What position did Cornelius hold? (Acts 10:1)
2) List the qualities that characterized Cornelius (Acts 10:2)
3) What did the angel of God say to him about his prayers and alms? (Acts 10:3-4)
4) Why was he told to send for Peter? (Acts 10:5-6)
5) What happened the next day as Peter was praying? (Acts 10:10)
6) What did he see? (Acts 10:11-12)
7) What did a voice tell Peter to do?  How did Peter respond? (Acts10:13-14)
8) What was Peter then told? (Acts 10:15)
9) How many times was this repeated? (Acts 10:16)
10) When the men from Cornelius arrived, what did the Spirit say to Peter? (Acts 10:19-20)
11) What did the messengers tell Peter regarding Cornelius? (Acts 10:22)
12) When Peter went with the messengers from Cornelius, who accompanied him? (Acts 10:23)
13) When Peter arrived, who did Cornelius have waiting for him? (Acts 10:24)
14) When Cornelius met Peter, what did he do?  How did Peter respond? (Acts 10:25-26)
15) What did Peter say had been unlawful for a Jewish man? (Acts 10:28)
16) What did Peter say God had shown him? (Acts 10:28)
17) After recounting his vision to Peter, what did Cornelius tell him? (Acts 10:30-33)

After completing this week's study, go back and read through it again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri