Chapter Ten — Part Four: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 11/21/2021
Foundation Scriptures:Acts 10:39-48
1. Preaching the Gospel to Gentiles.
a. Acts 10:39a AMPC — And we are [eye and ear] witnesses of everything that He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
b. Many people knew or heard of Jesus—what He did and what was done to Him.
c. And then there were specific eye and ear witnesses of everything that took place—from John the Baptist to the Day of Pentecost, and beyond.
d. The apostles and the disciples, who followed Jesus, were witnesses of His life, His words, His works, His death and resurrection, and His ascension (Acts 10:39-41; 1:22; 3:15; 5:32).
e. Acts 10:39b AMPC — And [yet] they put Him out of the way (murdered Him) by hanging Him on a tree.
f. Many knew of the crucifixion of Jesus, but His followers were the ones who knew and testified of His resurrection (Acts 10:39-41; 2:23; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 1 Pet. 2:24).
g. Acts 10:40 AMPC — But God raised Him to life on the third day and caused Him to be manifest (to be plainly seen).
h. Manifest (Greek—emphanēs) — to be plainly and openly seen; and clearly identified for Who He was—fig. of God giving proofs of His saving grace and thus manifesting Himself.
i. God physically resurrected Jesus on the third day and caused Him to be manifest—to be plainly seen and to be recognized as Messiah.
j. Acts 10:41 AMPC — Not by all the people but to us who were chosen (designated) beforehand by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
k. His resurrection was fully and indisputably attested to by chosen witnesses (Acts 1:3; Jn. 21:14).
l. Luke 24:38-43 NKJV — And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
2. The Gospel Message is For Everyone.
a. Acts 10:42 AMPC — And He charged us to preach to the people and to bear solemn testimony that He is the God-appointed and God-ordained Judge of the living and the dead.
b. Testimony (Greek—diamartyromai) — to give solemn testimony to one; to confirm a thing by testimony, to testify, cause it to be believed.
c. The Great Commission is the command to preach and confirm the Gospel, from the eyewitnesses all the way down to us who believe their testimony and continue to share it (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-20; Lk. 24:49-53; Acts 1:4-8).
d. Ordained (Greek—horizō) — to declare; to decree; to define; to mark out the boundaries or limits (of any place or thing); to determine; ordain; appoint.
e. Everyone needs to hear and know that Jesus Christ was appointed and ordained, by God, to be the Judge of the living and the dead (Rev. 20:11-14; Mt. 25:31-46; Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15).
f. Acts 10:43 AMPC — To Him all the prophets testify (bear witness) that everyone who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him, giving himself up to Him] receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
g. Jesus Christ was the subject of all the prophets—they testified of Him (Acts 3:21; Lk. 24:44; Jn. 5:39).
h. Salvation is available only through faith in Christ, and everyone who believes, may be saved.
3. Gentiles Converted.
a. Acts 10:44 AMPC — While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message.
b. The Holy Ghost fell on them all.
c. Fell (Greek—epipiptō) — to rush or press upon; to fall upon one, i.e. to seize, take possession of.
d. Cornelius, and his household and friends, believed and received the message, and were saved and baptized in the Holy Ghost, simultaneously!
e. This proves that the Holy Spirit baptism may be given at the time of conversion.
f. The Holy Spirit first fell on the Day of Pentecost—fifty days after the resurrection—the day appointed by God.
g. Because the disciples waited/tarried for the coming of the Holy Spirit, some people are under the mistaken impression that everyone must wait for Him.
h. But here, the Holy Ghost fell even before Peter finished preaching.
i. Acts 10:45 AMPC — And the believers from among the circumcised [the Jews] who came with Peter were surprised and amazed, because the free gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed and poured out largely even on the Gentiles.
j. The Holy Spirit was poured out—generously and largely—without limit, on the Gentiles now too, astounding the Jews.
k. Acts 10:46a AMPC — For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and extolling and magnifying God.
l. Whatever has its source in God, always magnifies and brings glory to Him.
m. Acts 10:46b-48a AMPC — Then Peter asked, 47 Can anyone forbid or refuse water for baptizing these people, seeing that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? 48 And he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
n. Since they were now clearly saved and Holy Ghost baptized, Peter concluded that they should not be forbidden to be baptized in water either.
o. Water baptism, alone, does not save the soul—but is an answer to a good conscience and an outward testimony of an inward work (1 Pet. 3:21; 1 Jn. 5:6-8).
p. Now, through Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph. 2:18).
q. Acts 10:48b AMPC — Then they begged him to stay on there for some days.
r. If you carry the authentic Gospel and the power of God, you will never lack a ministry opportunity.