Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Session EIGHT: PETER’S MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 9:32-43
a. Discuss initial observations & translation differences
III. MINISTRY OF HEALING (9:32-43):
a. Aeneas at Lydda (vv. 32-35)
• Paralyzed for 8 years
• Many turned to the Lord
b. Tabitha raised from the Dead (vv. 36-42)
• Tabitha = Dorcas = Gazelle
• A woman of many good works
• See Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
1. Taliqa cumi vs Tabiqa cumi
• Many in Joppa believed
c. Both miracles illuminate Peter as an Authentic Apostle
• They followed the Example of Jesus
• They were performed by the Power of Jesus
• They were signs of the Salvation of Jesus
• They both culminated in the Glory of Jesus
d. Peter staying at Simon the Tanner’s house (v. 43)
• How is God preparing Peter, judging by where he is staying?
IV. MINISTRY TO A GENTILE CENTURION (10:1-48):
a. Cornelius’ Vision (vv. 1-8)
• Centurion over at least 100 men. Part of the Italian Cohort or Battalion he was probably one of six centurions put in charge of 600-1000 men.
• Devout - yet something’s missing
• Difference between Cornelius, Nicolas (6:5), and Ethiopian Eunuch (8:27)?
b. Peter’s Vision (vv. 9-23a)
• All of God’s creation is Good
1. Compare Leviticus 11 and Mark 7:17-20
• Peter gets yet another 3-fold instruction – this time to visit a Gentile
• Messengers from Cornelius also bring affirmation
c. Peter Visits Cornelius (vv. 23b-33)
• See Luke 7:2-11
• Peter “qualifies” who he is and why he is there
• Cornelius recounts his vision
d. A Sermon made for Gentiles (vv. 34-43)
• See Deuteronomy 10:17; Leviticus 19:32-36; 2nd Chronicles 19:7
• Jesus is Lord of All – God is “no respecter of persons”
• The only biography of Jesus in the Book of Acts (vv. 38-43)
e. The Spirit falls on the Gentiles (vv. 44-48)
• Speaking in tongues and exalting God
• Baptized “after the fact”
• They were not circumcised
V. PETER JUSTIFIES HIS MINISTRY TO GENTILES (11:1-18):
a. His “table manners” called into question
b. Peter explains the four ways he was led by God to go to Caesarea:
• The Divine Vision (vv. 4-10)
• The Divine Command (vv. 11-12)
• The Divine Preparation (vv. 13-14)
• The Divine Action (vv. 15-18)
c. What we learn from Peters’ testimony:
• He does not mention Cornelius by name
• We discover it was six brethren who went with Peter (in Egyptian law, it took 7 witnesses to “prove a case” and in Roman law it took 7 seals to authenticate a will or other important document)
• It’s not a good idea to oppose God
• Cornelius may have been “a good, devout man” but he was not saved until this “Gentile Pentecost.”
VI. APPLICATION
• God prepares people to receive the Gospel for a time when an obedient Christian presents it to them.
• Salvation is available to any and all who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
VII. Close in Prayer
No Class Next Week: ASH WEDNESDAY
NEXT SESSION February 25th: HEROD PERSECUTES
Read ACTS 11:19 – 12:25 to prepare for class.
