Acts 10:1-48 “Gentiles Grafted In”
“…‘what must I do to be saved?’ They said,
‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:30-31 (NASB)
Key Verses – The adverse effects of man’s tendency towards legalism
Acts 10:13-15 (NASB) *God’s purpose in salvation has always been “inclusive”
“A voice came to him, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat!’ 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”
Acts 10:28 (NASB) *It was man’s law—NOT God’s Law—that built the barriers “And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.”
Key x-References – “Grafted in” – The theological basis for believers’ unity in the Body Romans 11:1-35 (excerpts NASB) *The relationship between Israel and the Church
“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew…13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry… 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is ho- ly, the branches are too. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
Galatians 3:26-29 (NASB) *All those who believe in Christ are truly ONE in Christ! “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” *Note: A spiritual vs. physical reality
Ephesians 2:11-16 (NASB) *Christ is our barrier-breaker and bridge-builder! “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘Uncircumcision’ by the so-called ‘Circumcision,’ which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”
“So then, those who had received his word were baptized…”
Acts 2:41
The Book of Acts Series #23 2/20/22
The Birth and Expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The transitional nature of the Book of Acts 1:1-5 I. Christian witness in Jerusalem 1:6-8:3
A. The Risen Lord – The 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection & ascension 1:6-26 B. Pentecost – Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – The birthday of the Church 2:1-47 C. Healing the lame man in the Temple, Peter’s 2nd Sermon 3:1-26
D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37
E. Purging from within, more persecution from without 5:1-41 F. Choosing co-laborers – The first deacons 6:1-7
G. Stephen – a deacon and the first Christian martyr 6:8-8:3
II. Christian witness in Palestine and Syria 8:4-12:25
A. The Church Scattered by persecution 8:4-40
B. The Conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus 9:1-31
C. Peter’s ministry – The “grafting in” of the Gentiles 9:32-10:48
- Peter’s healing ministry 9:32-43
- Peter’s ‘bridge-building’ ministry – Peter and Cornelius 10:1-48
a. The Lord’s sovereign choice and preparation for salvation 10:1-24 - An angel appears to prepare Cornelius – Send for Peter 10:3-8
- The Lord prepares Peter for his ‘bridge-building’ ministry 10:9-24
- Peter receives the messengers – The Lord’s timing was perfect! 19-24
b. The Gentiles ‘grafted in’ – to everyone’s surprise 10:25-48 - Peter arrives in Caesarea and is briefed about his experience 10:25-33 2. Peter preaches God’s impartial Gospel in Cornelius’ house 10:34-43
- While still speaking, the Holy Spirit was “poured out” 10:44-48
D. Breaking down prejudice and social barriers takes time 11:1-30
E. The Christians Persecuted by Herod 12:1-25
III. Christian witness to the uttermost part of the earth 13:1-28:31
A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28
B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22 D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26 E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:27
Key Verse(s) – God’s preparation for Peter’s bridge-building ministry
Acts 10:34-35 (NASB) *The real basis for separation was always spiritual, not racial “Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.’” *Note: Rahab, Ruth; cf. Gen. 12:3; 22:18; especially Gal. 3:6-9
“…God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:36 (NASB)