When God Opened the Door — The Story of Cornelius and Peter (Acts 10:1–23)
In Acts 10, we read about a life-changing event—not just for one person, but for the entire world. This moment marked the beginning of something big: the message of Jesus reaching people from every nation, not just the Jewish people. It all started with a man named Cornelius and a vision from God.
Meet Cornelius — A Good Man Searching for God
Cornelius was a Roman officer who lived in a city called Caesarea. Even though he wasn’t Jewish, he believed in the one true God. He was known as a kind and generous man who prayed often and gave to the poor. People respected him.
One day around 3:00 in the afternoon, Cornelius had a vision from God. An angel appeared to him and said, “God has heard your prayers and seen your kindness. Now send men to a place called Joppa and ask for a man named Peter.” The angel told him exactly where to find Peter, who was staying at a man’s house by the sea.
Cornelius didn’t waste time. He sent two of his servants and a soldier to go find Peter.
Meanwhile, Peter Has a Vision Too
The next day, as Cornelius’s men were getting close to Joppa, Peter went up on the roof to pray. It was around noon, and he was hungry. While waiting for food, Peter had a vision too.
In this vision, he saw something like a big sheet coming down from heaven. Inside the sheet were all kinds of animals, including some that Jewish people weren’t allowed to eat. A voice said, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
Peter was shocked. He replied, “No, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything unclean.” But the voice said, “Do not call anything unclean that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and then the vision ended.
Peter was confused. What did it mean?
God Connects the Dots
Right then, the men from Cornelius arrived and asked for Peter. The Holy Spirit told Peter, “Don’t hesitate to go with them—I have sent them.”
Peter welcomed them and invited them to stay the night. The next day, he went with them to meet Cornelius. Peter didn’t fully understand what was happening yet, but he was learning to trust God’s leading.
What’s the Big Deal About This Story?
This part of Acts is more than just an interesting story. It’s a turning point in history. Before this, many people believed the good news of Jesus was only for the Jewish people. But God was about to show Peter—and the whole church—that Jesus came for everyone, no matter their background, nationality, or culture.
Here’s what we learn from Acts 10:1–23:
- God sees every heart – Cornelius wasn’t Jewish, but he was sincere in his prayers and generosity. God noticed him.
- God is always working behind the scenes – While Cornelius had his vision, Peter had his own. God was preparing both men for something greater.
- God wants to break down barriers – The vision Peter saw was about more than food. It was about removing walls between people so that everyone could be included in God’s family.
- Obedience leads to discovery – Peter didn’t fully understand the vision, but he obeyed God anyway. Because of that, he was about to witness something amazing.
Final Thought:
Sometimes God calls us to step outside our comfort zone, to love people we wouldn’t normally reach out to, or to rethink old ideas. When we listen and obey—just like Peter and Cornelius did—God can use us to change lives.
Acts 10:1-23 (WEB)
10:1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 3 At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!”4 He, fastening his eyes on him and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?”He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter. 6 He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. 8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, 12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”15 A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.” 16 This was done three times, and immediately the thing was received up into heaven.17 Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you. 20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”21 Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.” 23 So he called them in and provided a place to stay.On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.