A Bible Study on the Book of Acts Session 24
The Church of the Holy Apostles;
Based upon the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (SJC)
Study Guide – Acts 10.23-43, Homily 23
Chapter 10 v. 23-29 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. “Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”The Centurion was so pious, God sent the Chief Apostle. SJC “Both his doctrines and his life were right.”
SJC begins with the night before they depart Joppa to show how friendly Peter’s actions are, just are Cornelius.
“This is the part of a friend, this is the part of a devout man, that where such blessings are concerned, he takes care that his near friends shall be made partakers of all.”
Cornelius is so humble that he DESIRES his friends to share in the blessings, and was waiting for Peter.
Peter teaches humility by example, not allowing Cornelius to bow down to him
Chapter 10 v. 30-33 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, “and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ‘Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ “So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
There is a discrepancy in the translation. Is it “the fourth day” or “four days ago?” SJC considers it to be “the fourth day” which would have been Wednesday. For SJC this is important because it shows just how pious Cornelius was that he was already reserving Wednesday for prayer and fasting until the 9th hour, which was the Christian practice, but he was not yet Christian. For SJC this is why God sends the Angel in approval of his great piety.
BUT Cornelius doesn’t presume the vision is an angel, but a man dressed in white.
“to hear all the things commanded you by God.” Reveals that Cornelius this is a divine mission, not merely a human message. He considers them to be gathered before God, not before men.
Chapter 10 v. 34-43 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all — “that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. “And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. “Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, “not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Clean or unclean = circumcised or uncircumcised
ALL are welcomed by God, including the Jews. SJC “For if He did not overlook the Magi, nor the Ethiopian, nor the thief, nor the harlot, much more them that work righteousness, and are willing, shall He in anywise not overlook.”
Peter teaches the entire life of Christ, from birth to resurrection, including physical proof that He ate and drank.
Suffering is initiated by the devil, not by God. Suffering is healed by God.
EVEN the Prophets said this would all take place.
Teaching on The Way of Life – (see Homily 23, pp 152-153)
- You have obtained forgiveness, don’t waste it on sinful living
- There is great power in Baptism to make a new man
- The Christian life is not an impossible commandment of God, IF we desire to live it.
- We should maintain the proper perspective on various lifestyle limitations.
Life Application – Live a life of virtue. (Homily 23, p 154)
It is better for us to live the Christian way of life in faith that God knows better than we do, rather than wasting time questioning why.