Cornelius (at Caesarea) and his house feared God. In a vision an angel of God said to send men to Joppa to bring Peter. He did this. The next day as they were approaching Joppa Peter became hungry, he fell into a trance and saw a sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals. A voice said, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter refused because it was unclean. The voice said 3 times, “What God has made clean, do not call common,” then it rose to heaven. Cornelius’ men arrived, the Spirit told Peter that 3 men were looking for him, Peter invited them in. The next day Peter went with them and some brothers (Christians) went with him. The next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius called his relatives and close friends together. Cornelius worshiped Peter, Peter told him to stand up, because he is a man. Peter said, God showed him that he should not call any person common or unclean. Cornelius told Peter about his encounter with the angel of God, so Cornelius, his family, and close friends are here in the presence of God to hear all that he (Peter) was commanded by the Lord. Peter said God doesn’t show partiality, in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God. Peace through Jesus Christ (Lord of all) is the word God sent to Israel. They knew what happened after John’s baptism was proclaimed – God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus healed the demon possessed and did good, for God was with Him. We are witnesses, the Jews put him to death, hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day. He commanded us to preach and testify that He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. The Bible bears witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. As Peter said this the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word (Gentiles). They heard them speak in tongues praising God. Peter declared, they could not withhold baptism for those who received the Holy Spirit like them. Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus.
Salvation through Jesus Christ isn’t just for the Jews, it’s for anyone from any nation who trusts in Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what your ethnicity is, or what religious background you come from. You can turn from your sin and trust in Christ to save you from God’s eternal wrath. Indeed God has proclaimed all food clean and all people’s clean through Jesus Christ. Praise God that Christ who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God!