Peter’s encounter with Cornelius (Acts 10-11) is the longest story in the book, and the events are repeated three times.

It’s one of the momentous events of human history because it marks the church’s incursion into the Gentile world.

It ranks with the call of Abraham, the exodus and giving of the law, the death and resurrection of Jesus. Acts 10 reveals the “so that” of those earlier events.

Yahweh called Abram so that He might bless the nations. He redeemed Israel so that Israel would become priests to the Gentiles. Jesus died and rose so that the nations would be discipled.

This is entirely God’s work. Cornelius doesn’t have the brilliant idea to seek out Peter. An angel tells him to (10:3).

Peter doesn’t get the idea to visit Gentiles while he’s studying Scripture. He’s hungry for lunch when the Lord sends him an enigmatic vision (10:9-16).

Peter doesn’t even go to the door to greet the delegation from Cornelius without the Spirit’s prompting (10:19).

As one commentator puts it, “Luke virtually excludes all human decision. . . . God, not man, is at work.”

It’s an important lesson for us as a young, small church. We want to grow. We want to do a lot for the kingdom of God.

But we ought not be anxious, as if everything depends on us. God orchestrates the spread of His church. Jesus is the living Lord of His people, who prompts and gathers.

Our calling is to trust and obey, follow the Spirit’s lead of the Spirit, and watch the great things He accomplishes.

Blessings,
Pastor Leithart