“Luke / Acts Week 38 – Sept. 16-20”

Monday, September 16, 2024

Monday – Acts 10:1-8 Peter and Cornelius
1. Luke moves from following Peter to profiling a centurion in Caesarea, the center of Roman power in Judea. Imagine you’re describing Cornelius to a friend, what adjectives and descriptors would you use?
2. According to v. 4, God takes notice of Cornelius because of his “prayers and alms.” To what extent are prayer (with fasting, cf. 10:30 NKJV) and giving to the poor priorities for you? Why or why not?
3. The angel could have simply communicated the gospel to Cornelius. Why do you think the Lord has Cornelius send for Peter to teach the gospel directly to him? (consider: Mat 28:18-20; Rom 10:5-15)

Tuesday – Acts 10:9-23a Peter’s Vision and Summons to Caesarea
1. Just as the messengers from Cornelius are on their journey and approaching the city, Peter has his own message from God. Outline the three-fold vision, noting Peter’s response each time.
2. Peter is staying with a tanner, an occupation that scrupulous Jews consider unclean because of their contact with dead animals, yet he seems untroubled by this. What connections is God making for Peter between the unclean animals in the vision and Cornelius and his household?
3. If God were to say to you, “What [I have] made clean, do not call common” (v. 15), what or whom might he be referring to in your life? How will Peter’s experience and conclusion influence you to change?

Wednesday – Acts 10:23b-33 Peter Meets Cornelius
1. On the next day, Peter, along with some Jewish brethren from Joppa, head off to Caesarea. What do you imagine is going through Peter’s mind as he walks toward the center of the Roman power of Judea?
2. Peter and his companions are met by a full house. Describe the enthusiasm that Cornelius and his friends have for hearing the gospel. What change(s) can you make to your life to reflect their enthusiasm?
3. How will Peter’s words, “God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean” (v. 28) transform your outreach to others who are different from you whether by skin color, race, economic or social status?

Thursday – Acts 10:34-48 Gentiles Hear the Good News
1. Now that Peter has the full attention of Cornelius and the others, what does he highlight about Jesus? Why do you think he selects these points for this audience?
2. In the middle of Peter’s sermon something unprecedented occurs, the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and the other Gentiles, and they speak in tongues. How does Peter account for this unique event?
3. Luke describes Cornelius as a devout, God-fearing man, who has been visited by an angel and who has experienced Holy Spirit baptism evidenced by tongue speaking, yet Peter commands that he be baptized. Why? What lesson(s) do you learn from this about the need for baptism (cf. Col 2:11-14)?

Friday – Acts 11:1-18 Peter Reports to the Church
1. Surprisingly, the Jerusalem church isn’t shocked about Peter baptizing Gentiles. Instead, what controversy awaits the apostle? Do you find this strange? Why?
2. What evidence does Peter present to prove that God indeed has welcomed Gentiles into the church? 
3. Enmity toward Gentiles is deeply rooted within the Jewish conscience (cf. v. 28), yet their hostility seems to melt away as Peter talks. What type of spirit lets go of deep seeded animosity toward others? How does the gospel of Jesus point us to unity between different people groups (cf. Gal 3:26-29)?

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