10:29Acts 10:29

Peter is speaking to Cornelius and those gathered in his house, explaining that he has come promptly as soon as he was sent for, without objecting or delaying, and asking why they sent for him.AC1 62.3+2 He came in this way because God had shown him in the vision on the housetop that he should not call any man common or unclean, overcoming the Jewish custom against keeping company with those of another nation.AC1 62.3+2 His visit marks the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles, who through Christ could share its blessings on an equal footing with Jewish believers, for God accepts in every nation him that fears Him and works righteousness.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+3 Although heaven guided by angels and visions, God would not give the gospel message by the angel directly but brought Cornelius, who had received all the light given him and sought greater light, into personal connection with Peter as His chosen human messenger.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+3 The meeting calls for readiness to go where God directs and to work by personal effort for sincere seekers like Cornelius who are serving God with all the light they have, giving the work as freely to all without erecting barriers.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+3

The speaker is Peter, addressing Cornelius and those gathered in his house, and the words are his first explanation for his presence, first stating why he has come and then asking why they sent for him.AC1 62.3+1 He refers to the Jewish custom that it was unlawful for a Jew to keep company with or to visit one of another nation.AC1 62.3+1 Social mingling with Gentiles was held to bring ceremonial defilement, yet that unlawfulness was not prohibited by the law of God but was a tradition of men made into a binding custom.AC1 62.3+2

The meaning is that Peter came promptly, at once, as soon as he was sent for, without gainsaying, objecting, refusing, resisting, or delaying, and asked for what intent they had sent for him.AC1 62.3+4 He came in this way because God had shown him that he should not call any man common or unclean and not regard any person as such, overcoming the Jewish custom against such company.AC1 62.3+4 His prompt obedience was cautious, for when he went with the men sent from Caesarea he brought six disciples with him as witnesses.7RED 65.2–67.1 He undertook the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step, and afterward he related it not as defended on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and he was surprised by the result.6MR 328.3–329.1+2

To his question Cornelius answered by telling of his fasting and prayer at the ninth hour.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27+1 A man in bright clothing told him his prayer was heard and directed him to send to Joppa for Peter who would speak to him, and Cornelius declared that all were now present before God to hear all things commanded of God.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27 God knew exactly where Peter was to be found, lodging with Simon the tanner, and told Cornelius where to find him with every particular, so the meeting was fully worked out.6MR 311.3–312.1+4

Peter came at once as soon as he was sent for, without objecting, and asked for what intent he had been sent for, because God had shown him that he should not call any man common or unclean and should not regard any person as such.AC1 62.3+4 That showing came through the vision on the housetop and overcame the Jewish custom that it was unlawful for a Jew to keep company with or visit one of another nation.AC1 62.3+4 The custom rested on the idea that social mingling with Gentiles brought ceremonial defilement, yet that prohibition was not part of the law of God but a tradition of men made into a binding custom.AC1 62.3+1 His coming in this way belonged to God removing the barriers between Jew and Gentile so that both are joined to Jesus Christ by faith, and his question led to Cornelius declaring with his household readiness to hear all things commanded of God and to Peter perceiving that God is no respecter of persons but accepts in every nation him that fears Him and works righteousness.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+1

Even Peter still held Jewish prejudice against Gentiles, including belittling of those who had no opportunity to hear the truth, and needed to be converted from it.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14 God worked carefully to overcome that prejudice and put him in the way to receive himself the truth of His purpose to the Gentiles.Ms 116, 1903, par. 8–14+1 In that purpose Peter was appointed to become the human instrument in the hands of heavenly agencies, with heaven and earth united in the work.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21

The vision that prepared him concerned the Gentiles' place in God's plan, that through Christ they shared equally in the blessings and privileges of God's people, not permission to eat animals formerly declared unclean.ST May 15, 1879 God used the vision to correct Peter's error about preaching to Gentiles as He was about to send him to them.EW 67.2 Visions comfort God's people and correct those who depart from Bible truth, but do not provide a new rule of faith.EW 67.2 In coming without gainsaying when sent for, Peter acted as the pioneer in breaking through the barriers of ages and teaching the heathen world, forming his distinct leading line among the apostles.ST Nov 23, 1915

Those in this chapter were given clear representations in visions in the night season of the work of God and how that work should be carried on, being shown in vision what to speak, with the instruction repeated again and again.Ms 135, 1906, par. 1–3+1 Peter came without objection when sent for because God had so instructed him in vision, responding to the summons and asking why he had been sent for.Ms 135, 1906, par. 1–3+1

The chapter shows how God employs angels to communicate with human beings, with instruction often given to men by immortal messengers.Lt 191, 1905, par. 16–17 God sends His angels to guide and powerfully help His chosen messengers on earth.Lt 191, 1905, par. 16–17 Heaven is much nearer to the Christian who is engaged in the work of soul-saving than many suppose.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 It teaches God's regard for every human being, and that each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29

The angel could have given Cornelius the gospel message directly, but that is not God's way.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+4 God wished to bring about a personal connection between Peter and Cornelius, so that the light and truth and law He had given Peter would be given by Peter himself to Cornelius and all his family.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21+4 God requires His church to connect together for this purpose.6MR 311.3–312.1+3 Peter's visit therefore illustrates that God directs people to receive needed truth through appointed human messengers, rather than refusing human instruction and insisting on being taught directly.Ms 96, 1893, par. 10–12

The meeting follows God's direction to bring Cornelius, who sought greater light, into contact with Peter as the chosen messenger who could share what he needed to know.Ms 67, 1900, par. 17–22+2 Cornelius had received and improved all the light God had given him, and God knew him by name and just where he lived and the spirit he possessed and every act of his life, and worked through His angel to arrange the meeting.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 48–49 Peter was appointed to become the human instrument in the hands of heavenly agencies, with heaven and earth united in the work.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 The meeting joined a person seeking further light with a chosen messenger who could explain the gospel, as part of God's plan to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.Ms 171, 1903, par. 16–17

Though Cornelius was accepted of God in devout piety and commended, and though he believed the Word promising a Messiah, he still had an advance in faith and a new experience to obtain in order to do his work intelligently through Jesus Christ and to receive the fulfillment of the promise.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 Neither prayer nor almsgiving can take the place of Christ Jesus, for in Him all fullness dwells, and prayers and alms are acceptable as far as knowledge goes but are complete only in Him.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21 Cornelius must send men to Joppa for Peter and become acquainted with him in gospel missionary work, and not receive the gospel from the angel, so that this man of influence in connection with believers in Jesus Christ could accomplish a great work.Ms 171, 1905, par. 21

The verse shows the simplicity of the Lord's plans for the advancement of His work, and that the agencies of heaven are ever ready to cooperate with human agencies in working out those plans.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 In every age God sets in operation a train of circumstances that brings honest-hearted seekers into connection with those of His people best fitted to reach their individual needs.6MR 328.3–329.1+1 God sent His messengers to set in operation circumstances that brought Peter into connection with Cornelius so Cornelius might learn the truth.6MR 328.3–329.1+1

Peter's coming to Cornelius marks the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles, who had been strangers to God's people and were still regarded by the apostles as excluded from its privileges even though Christ's death had broken down that barrier, and Cornelius's conversion was the first major conversion among them.Lt 51, 1902, par. 9–12+3 Through that visit Gentiles could share its blessings on an equal footing with Jewish believers without being required to be circumcised, becoming fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.Lt 51, 1902, par. 9–12+2 Peter perceived from it that God is no respecter of persons but accepts in every nation him that fears Him and works righteousness.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+1

Peter's visit, guided by God, brought light to Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile centurion and Roman officer who was seeking it, longing and praying for light from heaven, living according to the light he had received, and who received Christ gladly when He was revealed.6T 79.2–3+3 The conversion of Cornelius and his household was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, with a widespread work of grace carried on from that home in a heathen city.6MR 328.3–329.1+2 Cornelius is an example of people in responsible, influential positions of stewardship whom God sees and seeks to connect with His work, whose sympathies are with His people and whose conversion can make them channels of light to others.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1

God gives advanced light as He did to Cornelius to devout standard-bearers who fear God and follow principles of righteousness though not fully informed in truth, giving them knowledge through the visitation of angels and then placing them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word, to prepare them to take the place of those given Bible truth who disappointed Him and to stand as bright witnesses in positions of responsibility.Lt 197, 1904, par. 5–8 The Lord showed Peter by this that there were Gentiles serving God as acceptably as he and that there are souls much nearer the kingdom than is supposed, for in this dark world of sin the Lord has many precious jewels like Cornelius walking in all the light received to whom He will guide His servants with angels cooperating to bring them to full light.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 Cornelius was a man taught by God, exemplifying the true God-taught character God now calls for, unlike those who have long professed truth yet have lost spiritual discernment, and he points to people in the last days who value God's wisdom above earthly gain, obey His Word, receive greater light, and use their abilities to share truth and advance His work.Ms 97, 1898, par. 16+1

This chapter is to be read and prayed over until understanding is opened and its meaning is realized, and so understood it calls workers to begin earnestly to work for souls in the home field and to arouse to duty for home missions, giving the work as freely to Jews as to Gentiles without erecting barriers, lest they be found wanting in the day of God.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2 It is an experience in which God wrought for one who feared His name, showing the way He works on human minds to break the power of oppression and tyranny and to dispel ignorance and superstition.Ms 1, 1908, par. 5–14+2 Cornelius declaring that all were present to hear gives the pattern for minds and hearts to be open to receive every ray of light, never feeling that all worthwhile light has been received, but accepting and cherishing from day to day the truth as it is in Jesus in order to be sanctified and conformed to the divine likeness.Ms 126, 1902, par. 26–27

The chapter teaches God's regard for every human being and that each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.Ms 17, 1908, par. 29 The required personal connection, since the angel could have given the message directly but God wished the light and truth and law given to Peter to be given by Peter himself to Cornelius and all his family, means believers must come into the closest connection with Christ and with one another.6MR 311.3–312.1+3 They must unify for Christ's sake, love one another, and deal honestly, justly, truly, gently, and righteously instead of pointing at others' wrongs or tearing one another down.6MR 311.3–312.1+3 God's direction may call someone to a particular place or task that is not their own preference to help those who need divine guidance, as Peter went to the Roman centurion as soon as summoned, and they should accept and carry out the duty placed before them.MH 472.4–473.1

There is a call for readiness to work by personal efforts for those who have not received the whole truth yet are serving God with sincere, earnest purpose, for there are many such men as Cornelius in the world.Lt 144, 1902, par. 22–23 Because those in responsibility and stewardship are held by threads binding them to the world and lack moral courage to take their position with the lowly, and face special temptations in what they bear, they are in need of special labor requiring special, more determined, patient, loving effort rather than antagonism, so that honest seekers of light may be gathered into the truth.Lt 4, 1900, par. 5–7+1 The lesson is that earnest, devoted, determined efforts should be made for associations where honest, inquiring souls like Cornelius who are seeking light with all things in readiness will have light shine forth to them and be gathered out from those bitterly opposed to the message.Lt 17, 1900, par. 5–6