Acts 10 Cornelius is a Gentile who fears God, who prays continually to God and who gives gifts of charity to the Jewish people in his town.  He is a centurion, a commanding soldier, a man of power and influence.  But, a man who has humbly devoted himself to Jehovah, the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.  This man's prayers and alms " have ascended as a memorial before God", he is told by an angel. ( memorial - a reminder; remembrance). Cornelius is told to send for Peter and he does so immediately.

Meanwhile, Peter is in Joppa and goes up on the roof to pray.  He becomes hungry and while waiting for lunch to be prepared, Peter has an unusual experience... he falls into a trance and sees heaven open up.  He sees a large sheet - like a sail - came down from heaven with all kinds of animals, crawling creatures and birds in it.   He hears a voice telling him to kill and eat from these offered animals, but Peter says, " By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." 
But, the Lord says to him, " What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy."   This experience is repeated 3 times!   God is getting a new message across!

Peter is not sure what the message really means, but the Spirit tells him to go with the men who are just now coming to the door of the house to ask for him. So Peter goes with them to Caesarea, to Cornelius's house, and then he gets it!  " ... God has shown me that  I should not call any man unholy or unclean. " ( v28).  This had to be astonishing to Peter, but when he hears Cornelius's testimony, he understands that God is doing a new thing.  " I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him."  Then Peter tells them about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  " ... He ordered us to preach to the people and solemnly testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.  Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." 

All those who were in the house and heard these words, believed and the Holy Spirit came and fell upon them.  They were baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ.  And the world would never be the same!

This is such an important message! God's plan and purpose for the church of Jesus Christ is so much more than what the apostles and disciples first understood.  A door opens that they never expected - any man, from any nation, could believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness of his sins! God had opened the door to Himself for all men who would "fear Him" and do " what is right".  

We need to rejoice and give thanks for Peter and Cornelius' experience!  The door of salvation was opened for us! For me and for you ( non- Jewish) people.  God Himself has cleansed us and made us holy.  He has welcomed us to Himself!

Thank You Lord! We give You thanks, for You have saved us through faith in Jesus Christ, the Judge of the living and the dead, the anointed One.  We praise Your Name and worship You, because Jesus died for us too. He is our resurrected Lord and King!  Amen and amen!!