What Matters to Jesus | Acts 10:1–11:18

Summary

In Acts 10–11, we see the first Gentile conversion and one of the most important turning points in the book of Acts. TA walks through four movements in the story and then highlights four things that matter to Jesus and should matter to us. This passage challenges us not to settle for mediocrity as a church and to make sure what matters to Jesus still matters to us.

Key Takeaways

Four Movements in the Story

• Cornelius’ Vision (Acts 10:1–8) God pursued Cornelius before Cornelius fully understood him. Though Cornelius was a Gentile, God was already at work drawing him to himself and preparing him to hear the gospel.
• Peter’s Vision (Acts 10:9–23; Acts 10:15) God challenged Peter’s assumptions about who was clean and who belonged. Peter was beginning to understand that what mattered to Jesus should matter to him too.
• Gentile Conversion (Acts 10:24–48) Peter preached the gospel, and the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles just as he had on the Jews. The gospel is what transforms, and salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
• Jewish Celebration (Acts 11:1–18) The Jewish believers realized that God’s heart was bigger than they had understood. The gospel that started in Jerusalem was always meant to go to the ends of the earth.

Four Things That Matter to Jesus and Should Matter to Us

• God wants to use us in the spread of the gospel. (Acts 10:1–8; Acts 10:17–23; 2 Timothy 1:7) God could have used the angel to tell Cornelius about Jesus directly, but instead, he chose to use Peter. God has chosen to save the world through his people.
• The gospel is what transforms. (Acts 10:34–48) Cornelius was devout, generous, moral, and prayerful, but he still needed Jesus. The question is not whether you are a good person; the question is whether you are a saved person.
• The gospel confronts our prejudices. (Acts 10:9–16; Acts 10:28; Acts 10:34–35) Peter spent his life avoiding Gentiles, and even after his vision, he still struggled to fully embrace God’s heart for them. Instead of villainizing people, followers of Jesus should pray for them and move toward them with the gospel.
• God’s heart is a global heart. (Acts 11:1–18; Genesis 12:3) The gospel that started in Jerusalem was always meant to go to the ends of the earth.

Discussion Questions

• Where might God be inviting you to take a step in sharing the gospel this week?
• Why is it important to remember that good behavior and morality cannot save us?
• How does the life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Holy Spirit speak to your marriage issues, your battle with addiction, fear of man, people pleasing, or unforgiveness?
• Who are the people in your life you struggle to move toward, understand, or love? What prejudices or assumptions might God want to confront in your heart?
• How does this passage challenge the way you think about God’s heart for the nations?

Recommended References:

• John Stott, The Message of Acts
• John B. Polhill, Acts (New American Commentary)