Peter Goes to Caesarea
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Background and Context:
The account of Peter's journey to Caesarea is found in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 10. This narrative marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, highlighting the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Caesarea, a significant Roman city located on the coast of Judea, serves as the setting for this transformative event. The city was an administrative center of the Roman Empire and home to a diverse population, including a substantial Gentile community.

Cornelius the Centurion:
The account begins with Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment stationed in Caesarea. Cornelius is described as "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God continually" (Acts 10:2). Despite being a Gentile, Cornelius's piety and reverence for the God of Israel set the stage for a divine encounter.

The Vision of Cornelius:
Cornelius receives a vision in which an angel of God instructs him to send men to Joppa to summon Simon Peter. The angel tells Cornelius that his prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). Obedient to the heavenly message, Cornelius dispatches two of his servants and a devout soldier to bring Peter to Caesarea.

Peter's Vision:
Meanwhile, in Joppa, Peter experiences a vision while praying on the rooftop. He sees a sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice commands him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). Peter, adhering to Jewish dietary laws, protests, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean" (Acts 10:14). The voice responds, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This vision occurs three times, emphasizing its significance.

Peter's Journey to Caesarea:
While Peter is pondering the vision, the men sent by Cornelius arrive. The Holy Spirit instructs Peter to accompany them without hesitation, for they have been sent by God (Acts 10:19-20). Peter travels to Caesarea with the men, taking along some of the believers from Joppa.

Peter Meets Cornelius:
Upon arrival, Peter finds Cornelius eagerly awaiting him, having gathered his relatives and close friends. Cornelius falls at Peter's feet in reverence, but Peter lifts him up, saying, "Stand up, I am only a man myself" (Acts 10:26). Peter then addresses the assembly, acknowledging the Jewish custom of not associating with Gentiles, but explaining that God has shown him not to call any person impure or unclean (Acts 10:28).

The Gospel to the Gentiles:
Peter shares the message of Jesus Christ, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus, who is Lord of all (Acts 10:36). He recounts the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, emphasizing that "everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name" (Acts 10:43).

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles:
As Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit descends upon all who hear the message. The Jewish believers accompanying Peter are astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they hear them speaking in tongues and praising God (Acts 10:44-46). Peter then declares, "Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have" (Acts 10:47). Consequently, Cornelius and his household are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Significance:
Peter's visit to Caesarea and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles signify a monumental shift in the early church. This event underscores the universality of the Gospel message and God's acceptance of all who believe, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. It marks the beginning of the church's mission to the Gentiles, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
Subtopics

Peter

Peter of the Law of Defilement

Peter of the Law of Forgiveness

Peter of the Parable of the Steward

Peter of the Prophecy of Jesus Concerning his Second Coming

Peter: A Fisherman

Peter: Accused by the Council; his Defense

Peter: Advocates the Preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles in the Hearing of the Apostles and Elders

Peter: Also Called Simon Bar-Jona and Cephas

Peter: An Apostle

Peter: An Evangelist

Peter: Call of

Peter: Calls Attention to the Withered Fig Tree

Peter: Confesses Jesus to be the Messiah

Peter: Cuts off the Ear of Malchus

Peter: Follows Jesus to the High Priest's Palace

Peter: Foretells the Death of Ananias and Sapphira

Peter: Goes to Samaria

Peter: Has a Vision of a Sheet Containing Ceremonially Clean and Unclean Animals

Peter: Heals the Immobile Man in the Portico of the Temple

Peter: His Denial of Jesus, and his Repentance

Peter: His Mother-In-Law Healed

Peter: His Presumption in Rebuking Jesus

Peter: His Presumption in Refusing to Let Jesus Wash Peter's Feet

Peter: His Presumption: when the Throng Was Pressing Jesus and the Woman With the Blood Disorder Touched Him

Peter: His Statement in Front of the Disciples Concerning the Death of Judas

Peter: His Treachery Foretold by Jesus, and his Profession of Fidelity

Peter: Imprisoned and Delivered by an Angel

Peter: Imprisoned and Scourged; his Defense Before the Council

Peter: Jesus Appears To

Peter: Jesus Sends Message To, After the Resurrection

Peter: Lives in Jerusalem

Peter: Prays for the Reception of the Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Peter: Preaches on Pentecost Day

Peter: Present at Lake Tiberias when Jesus Appeared to his Disciples

Peter: Present in the Garden of Gethsemane

Peter: Present: At the Healing of Jairus' Daughter

Peter: Present: At the Transfiguration

Peter: Rebukes Simon, the Sorcerer, Who Desires to Purchase This Power

Peter: Receives Paul

Peter: Receives the Servant of the Centurion

Peter: Returns to Jerusalem

Peter: Sent With John to Prepare the Passover Meal

Peter: Visits Joppa; Stays With Simon, the Tanner; Raises Dorcas from the Dead

Peter: Visits Lydda; Heals Aeneas

Peter: Visits the Gravesite of Jesus

Peter: Walks Upon the Water of Lake Galilee

Peter: Writes Two Epistles

Select Readings: Peter on the Day of Pentecost

Related Terms

Appoint (114 Occurrences)

Elect (32 Occurrences)

Pick (37 Occurrences)

Selected (23 Occurrences)

Choose (116 Occurrences)

Apocrypha

Unanimously (1 Occurrence)

Journey (214 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Wail (50 Occurrences)

Fittest (1 Occurrence)

Try (84 Occurrences)

Task (37 Occurrences)

Reputation (12 Occurrences)

Responsibility (17 Occurrences)

Esther (48 Occurrences)

Elite (2 Occurrences)

Exclusive (1 Occurrence)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)

Draw (212 Occurrences)

Duke (14 Occurrences)

Day's (19 Occurrences)

Decided (54 Occurrences)

Marriage (74 Occurrences)

Popular (1 Occurrence)

Party (47 Occurrences)

Berothah (1 Occurrence)

Berothai (1 Occurrence)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Clean (298 Occurrences)

Choice (113 Occurrences)

Abi (2 Occurrences)

Adopt (4 Occurrences)

Acceptable (48 Occurrences)

Acceptation (2 Occurrences)

Assign (22 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Accept (106 Occurrences)

Single (65 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Swim (8 Occurrences)

Seldom (1 Occurrence)

Sort (143 Occurrences)

Partridge (2 Occurrences)

Dictionaries

Dear (120 Occurrences)

Night (3322 Occurrences)

Business (147 Occurrences)

Hawk (6 Occurrences)

Report (127 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)

Septuagint

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Friends (152 Occurrences)

Seven (404 Occurrences)

Brothers (574 Occurrences)

Company (287 Occurrences)

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)

Master's (52 Occurrences)

Scribes (85 Occurrences)

Deluge (17 Occurrences)

Charge (379 Occurrences)

Turn (963 Occurrences)

Noah (55 Occurrences)

Worthy (92 Occurrences)

Judaeus

Philo

Text (5 Occurrences)

Manuscripts

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)

Throne (181 Occurrences)

Mark (182 Occurrences)

According (7613 Occurrences)

Ethics

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)

Peter Filled with the Holy Spirit
Top of Page
Top of Page