Acts 10:1-23
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone
Acts 10:1-23 is a familiar narrative of God’s gracious inclusion of the Gentiles into the divine family. To accomplish this, God shows Peter the need to reconsider his views on ritual cleanliness, deeply embedded in first-century Jewish traditions and culture. When certain boundaries are well-established in our cultures, crossing them can push us beyond our comfort zones, which is likely what happened to Peter. To encourage him, God tells Peter three times, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane” (vv.15-16). Reflecting on this passage reminds me that boundaries exist in our own time, imposed by our cultures and traditions. Like Peter, we must follow the Spirit and allow God to stretch us beyond our comfort zones to reach people God wants to invite into our community.
Befriending the Marginalized
To Peter’s credit, he crosses a cultural boundary by staying with Simon, the tanner, in Joppa—a man not considered ritually unclean, but often rejected by the Jewish community due to his occupation. Tanning was a primitive, malodorous process, and the scent from handling animal hides lingered with tanners. The foul odors carried by the tanners exempted them from appearing at the Temple during pilgrimage festivals. Tannery locations had to be set at least 50 cubits from the town outskirts, often near the sea, so Simon lived by the seaside.1 Though the Jewish community did not welcome Simon, Peter did not avoid him. Instead, Peter crossed this cultural boundary, stayed at Simon’s house, and even used it as a place of prayer.
Reflecting on Peter’s acceptance of Simon the tanner, I am reminded of my first time sitting around the dinner table at Toronto Alliance Church’s community meals with people experiencing homelessness, my initial visit to a geriatric unit, and my first time visiting a person with disabilities who used incontinence products. Each of these “firsts” stretched my comfort zone, and I needed the voice of Pastor Bill in my head, reminding me that each of them is God’s creation and loved by God. Humbling myself, encouraged by those who’ve followed God’s lead, has given me the courage to take these steps.
Courage to Step Out of Comfort Zones
The description of Cornelius in Acts 10 as a God-fearing man who prays regularly and gives generously to the poor demonstrates that God works in ways not limited by human boundaries. Although Gentiles were considered outside the covenantal promises God made with Israel, God was free to determine who would be welcomed into this relationship. In Cornelius’ case, God recognizes his faith and sends an angel to instruct him to invite Peter to his house.
Following God’s direction requires both Cornelius and Peter to take a step of faith. For Cornelius, a person of privilege, inviting Peter, a Jew, to come and teach him takes humility. For Peter, it is a bold step of obedience, as he knows it is against Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile (Acts 10:28). His obedience and boldness in following God’s direction set a powerful example for us.
Just as Peter and Cornelius had to step out of their comfort zones, we are called to embrace the radical inclusivity of the gospel. Acts 10:1-23 invites us to reflect on our own biases and boundaries, challenging us to consider whether our preconceptions might limit God’s work by excluding those whom God has welcomed into the faith community.
Discerning the Spirit’s Movements
In this passage, the central role of prayer is unmistakable, as shown through Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, prays constantly (v.2). Peter, a devout Jewish Christian, maintains a habit of praying at noon daily (v.9). As they pray, God speaks to both men through visions, directing them to meet one another (vv. 3-6, 11-16). This passage clearly teaches that before considering new missional possibilities, we should begin with prayer, seeking to discern God’s will and the Spirit’s guidance.
Moreover, neither Cornelius nor Peter prayed once and expected an immediate answer. Instead, their habit of continual prayer demonstrates an eagerness to be with God and a deep desire to hear the divine voice. Regular communion with the Holy One helps us learn to recognize God’s voice. As the Heidelberg Catechism says, “God will give his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who continually and with heartfelt longing ask God for these gifts and thank him for them.”2 May we, like Cornelius and Peter, pray constantly, love, and obey God so that Jesus’ blessings will flow to those he intends to draw to himself.
As we reflect on Acts 10:1-23, may we be open to God’s leading, even when it challenges our understanding and moves us beyond our comfort zones.
Reflective Questions:
Consider any biases, comfort zones, or preconceived notions that might limit your openness to others whom God has welcomed. What might help you make the uncomfortable step to embrace and include others, especially those different from you?
Reflect on how often you create space in prayer to listen for God’s direction. What practices could help you develop a more profound sense of the Spirit’s movements?
Think about times you crossed personal or cultural boundaries to connect with others. How did that experience deepen your understanding of God’s inclusivity and grace?
Author Bio:
Cynthia Tam is a pastor with The Living Room Church and the National Coordinator of Disability Ministries with The Alliance Canada. She completed her Ph.D. study in Practical Theology at University of Aberdeen under the supervision of Prof. John Swinton.
http://www.thelivingroomchurch.ca/
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission.