Introduction
• There were many events that had turned Peter’s life upside down. Jesus called him away from the fishing business, he denied knowing Jesus at a critical time, and Jesus forgave and reinstated Peter after the resurrection. But there was still one area of his life that God had not yet confronted.
• What we learn from Peter’s experience can transform how we reach out to people who need to know God’s love.
• I’m Brent, and this is episode 57 of The Bible Unplugged. We look at a change in Peter’s life that didn’t happen in a vision, or on a mountaintop, but in a doorway.
• Please take a minute to look at the show notes for this episode at PowerLoveandMiracles.com. While you are there, check out my devotional series that I publish Monday through Friday.
Background
• In episode 55 we looked at the experience of Cornelius and how God prepared his already open and willing heart to hear about Jesus from Peter, the Apostle. Cornelius was immediately ready to uphold his end of the relationship, but not so for Peter.
• In episode 56 we looked at Peter’s vision that started a change process in Peter’s life: being willing to take the good news of Jesus to people that aren’t like him.
• In this episode we examine what took place when Peter, still not understanding what is happening, arrived in Caesarea to visit Cornelius.
Peter’s Threshold Moment
• Acts 10:25 tells us about an event which is understated in Luke’s usual style. This verse starts with a three-word phrase that marked a major transition in Peter’s life and ministry: “When Peter entered…”
• As we talked about in previous episodes, a Jew would never enter the home of a Gentile. This was a religious and cultural imperative for Peter.
• For the first time in his life, Peter walked across a threshold and into not just a Gentile home, but the home of a Roman and a soldier. A lot of firsts for Peter.
• We have discussed how Cornelius was immediately willing to accept God’s direction and how Peter needed some convincing. But by the time Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, Peter had learned, grown, and changed significantly.
Peter Meets Cornelius
• Continuing in verse 25, Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet and worshipped him. This may be another first for Peter. I doubt if anyone worshipped Peter before this event.
• Peter took hold of Cornelius and raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” There are two details here tell us about Peter’s growth process: he touched a Gentile, and he compared himself to Cornelius as an equal.
• Peter then confronted his own discomfort with the situation. In verse 28 Peter says, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.”
• Let’s recap some of the changes in Peter so far:
• He begrudgingly accepted God’s vision
• He invited Gentiles into the home where he was staying
• He crossed the threshold of a Gentile home
• He compared himself to Cornelius as an equal
• And he accepts that no one, regardless of upbringing, is unholy or unclean.
• The very next verse, though, is still classic Peter. In verse 29 he says, “Why did you send for me?” Peter went through all of these changes and still had no idea why he was there.
• The good news is that God can be patient while we change. Sometimes change takes a while to work.
Cornelius Explains
• Cornelius, being a wise and thoughtful person, told Peter all that had happened over the last four days.
• The purpose of Peter’s visit was not just for the benefit of Cornelius and those gathered to hear the gospel, it was also to show Peter that the commission Jesus gave him and the other disciples to share the gospel to the entire world was now taking place.
• In verse 33, Cornelius tells Peter, “Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”
Peter’s Sermon
• Peter’s sermon, found in Acts 10:34-43, was a message he preached to the people gathered in Cornelius’ home and to himself.
• Peter starts off saying, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” Peter’s transformation is complete. He has now unleashed his forceful nature to share the gospel with anyone who will listen, not just to people like himself.
• Peter summarizes all that had happened with Jesus and how God raised Jesus from the dead. This incredible work of God had one purpose. In verse 43, Peter concludes his sermon saying, “All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
• Luke tells us that while Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on those in the house. The Jewish Christians accompanying Peter were amazed at what had happened.
• The story finishes with a confirmation that Peter’s transformation was complete. In verse 47 Peter says, “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
What Does Peter’s Change Mean?
• We may have people in our lives that are “off limits” because of our beliefs, customs, and habits. God challenges us, like he did Peter, to accept that everyone is a child of God just like we are.
• We are called to affirm the dignity of those we minister to. We may not condone or accept someone’s behavior and actions, but God loves them and so must we.
• Like Peter, we don’t always know why God gives us a mission—but He reveals the purpose when we obey.
• And, our role as ambassadors of Jesus is to recognize and affirm those whom God has already accepted.
Takeaways from this Story
• Peter’s visit to Cornelius shows that God’s love always moves outward, beyond the categories we have accepted in the past.
• The gospel of Jesus is universal, not a theological theory. Peter learned this and the message is still relevant to us today.
• The challenge is this: “If God’s Spirit has already crossed thresholds we hesitate to enter, will we follow Him, or stay outside?”
The Conclusion
• Yes, we have reached the end of the episode, but I’ve got a lot more on the way.
• I hope this has been helpful. If so, take a minute to give this podcast a high rating and share it with someone you know.
• In the next episode we examine a simple prayer tucked inside a long list of names in the Old Testament. What this prayer means can mean a world of difference in how we live.
• My prayer for you is that you will see in those around you an expectant crowd waiting to hear the good news of Jesus.
• Have a blessed week.
The Disclaimers
• Just to let you know:
• All opinions are my own. If you agree, keep listening. If you don’t… keep listening. If you listen long enough you’ll agree with something.
• All Bible quotations come from the World English Bible which is a public domain work.
• Our show theme song is “Awesome Call” by Kevin MacLeod and is available under a Creative Commons license.
• The content of this podcast is copyrighted 2025 by J. Brent Eaton
• This has been a Power Love and Miracles production.
