使徒行傳 10
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
哥尼流邀請彼得
10 在凱撒利亞有一位隸屬義大利營的百夫長名叫哥尼流。 2 他和全家都是虔誠敬畏上帝的人，他慷慨賙濟窮人，常常禱告。 3 一天，大約下午三點，他在異象中清楚地看見一位上帝的天使進來呼喚他：「哥尼流！」
4 哥尼流驚恐地注視著他，問：「主啊，什麼事？」
天使回答說：「你的禱告和賙濟窮人的善行已經在上帝面前蒙悅納。 5 如今你要派人去約帕，請一個叫西門·彼得的人來。 6 他住在一個叫西門的皮革匠家裡，房子在海邊。」
7 向他說話的天使離開後，哥尼流叫來兩個家僕和自己的一個敬虔侍衛， 8 把剛才的事告訴他們，然後差他們去約帕。
彼得見異象
9 第二天中午，他們快要到達約帕時，彼得上屋頂去禱告。 10 他覺得肚子餓了，想吃東西。那家人正在預備午飯的時候，彼得進入異象， 11 看見天開了，有一樣東西好像一大塊布，四角吊著降到地上， 12 裡面有各種天上的飛禽、地上的爬蟲和四足的走獸。 13 然後有聲音對他說：「彼得，起來，宰了吃！」
14 彼得卻說：「主啊！這可不行！我從未吃過任何污穢不潔之物。」
15 那聲音又一次對他說：「上帝已經潔淨的，你不可再稱之為不潔淨。」 16 這樣一連三次之後，那塊布就被收回天上去了。
17 彼得不知所措，正在猜測這異象到底是什麼意思，哥尼流的僕人們剛好找來了， 18 正站在門口大聲問西門·彼得是否住在這裡。
19 彼得還在苦苦思索的時候，聖靈又對他說：「彼得，外面有三個人來找你， 20 快下樓跟他們去，不必多慮，他們是我差來的。」 21 彼得就下去見他們，說：「我就是你們要找的人，有什麼事？」
22 他們說：「哥尼流百夫長是個又正直又敬畏上帝的人，連猶太人都稱讚他。上帝的天使指示他請你到他家裡去，好聽你的指教。」
23 彼得就留他們住了一夜。第二天，彼得和他們以及幾個約帕的弟兄一同出發了。 24 又過了一天，他們到達凱撒利亞。哥尼流已經請來親朋好友，在等候他們。 25 他一看見彼得，就迎上去俯伏在他腳前拜他。 26 彼得連忙把他扶起來，說：「快起來，我只不過是人。」
27 彼得和他邊走邊談，進屋後，見聚集了許多人， 28 就對他們說：「你們都知道，按照猶太人的傳統，我們不可以和外族人來往。但上帝已經指示我不可把任何人視為污穢不潔。 29 所以，我受到邀請後，毫不猶豫地來了。請問你們為什麼請我來？」
30 哥尼流說：「四天前，大約也是下午三點這個時候，我在家裡禱告，忽然有一個身穿明亮衣服的人站在我面前， 31 說，『哥尼流，上帝已經垂聽了你的禱告，也悅納你賙濟窮人的善行。 32 你派人去約帕把那位叫西門·彼得的人請來，他住在海邊一個叫西門的皮革匠家。』 33 於是我立刻派人去請你。你能來，真是榮幸，現在我們都在上帝面前，想聆聽主吩咐你傳給我們的話。」
福音臨到外族人
34 彼得說：「現在我深深地明白，上帝不偏待人。 35 無論哪一個民族，只要敬畏祂，秉公行義，都會蒙祂接納。 36 上帝藉著萬物的主宰——耶穌基督把平安的福音傳給以色列人。 37 你們都知道，自從約翰宣講洗禮以來，從加利利開始，整個猶太地區發生了什麼事。 38 你們也知道，拿撒勒人耶穌是上帝用聖靈和大能膏立的。祂周遊四方，廣行善事，醫好被魔鬼壓制的人，因為上帝與祂同在。 39 我們親眼目睹了耶穌在猶太全境和耶路撒冷所做的一切。可是，世人卻把祂釘死在十字架上。 40 但第三天，上帝使祂從死裡復活，並且向人顯現， 41 不是向所有的人顯現，而是向被上帝預先揀選為祂做見證的人顯現，就是我們這些在祂復活以後與祂一同吃喝過的人。 42 祂命令我們向世人傳道，見證祂就是上帝指派來審判活人和死人的那位。 43 所有先知也都為祂做見證說，『誰信祂，誰的罪就能藉著祂的名得到赦免。』」
44 彼得還在說話的時候，聖靈就降臨在每一個聽道的人身上。 45 跟彼得一起來的那些嚴守割禮的信徒，看見聖靈的恩賜也澆灌到外族人身上，都很驚奇。 46 因為他們聽見這些人又說方言又讚美上帝。於是彼得說： 47 「既然這些人已經和我們一樣領受了聖靈，誰能阻止他們接受洗禮呢？」 48 彼得吩咐他們奉耶穌基督的名受洗。之後，他們又請彼得住了幾天。
使 徒 行 傳 10
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
彼得与哥尼流
10 该撒利亚有一个叫哥尼流的人。他是罗马军队里“意大利营”的一名军官。 2 他是个虔敬的人，一家老小都敬畏上帝。他经常慷慨地帮助穷人，并且一直向上帝祷告。 3 一天下午大约三点钟左右，他看见了异象，清楚地看到上帝的一位天使进来，对他说∶“哥尼流！”
4 哥尼流恐惧地注视着他问∶“先生，什么事呢？”
天使对他说∶“上帝听到了你的祷告，并看到你对穷人的周济，所以，上帝记得你。 5 你现在派人去约帕，请一位名叫西门也称彼得的人来。 6 他在硝皮匠西门的家里做客，他的房子靠近海边。” 7 说这话的天使一走，哥尼流便叫了两个仆人和他的私人随从里的一个虔诚的士兵， 8 向他们解释了一切，然后便派他们去了约帕。
9 第二天，这三个人快走到约帕时，大约在中午时分，彼得到房顶上去祈祷。 10 他感到饥饿，想吃东西。当他们正在备饭时，他感到一片恍惚， 11 他看到天敞开，好似一大块布的东西被吊住四角，从天而降，直缒到地。 12 里面装满各种走兽、飞禽和爬行动物。 13 这时，一个声音对他说∶“起来，彼得，把它们宰了吃吧！”
14 彼得答道∶“主啊，这肯定不行！我还从来没有吃过污秽和不洁净的东西呢！”
15 那个声音又对他说∶“上帝洁净过的东西，你不要认为不洁净。” 16 这样如此一连三次，那个东西便被立即收回天上去了。
17 彼得还在纳闷所见的异象是什么意思时，哥尼流派来的人已经到了，他们已经打听出西门的家在哪里。这时，这些人已经站在大门口了。 18 他们高声问道，有没有一位叫西门彼得的客人住在那里。
19 彼得还在琢磨那异象的时候，圣灵对他说∶“听着，有三个人正在找你！ 20 所以，赶紧起身下去，跟他们去，不要犹豫，因为是我派他们来的。” 21 彼得于是走下来，对那三个人说∶“我就是你们要找的那个人，你们为什么来呢？”
22 他们说∶“军官哥尼流派我们来的，他是个好人，敬畏上帝，受到所有犹太人的尊重。一个圣天使指示他，邀请你去他家，好听你的话。” 23 彼得把他们请进屋来，安排他们住下了。
第二天，他做好了准备，跟着他们一起上路了。从约帕来的一些基督兄弟也与他一起同行去了。 24 第二天，他们到达了该撒利亚。哥尼流正在等候他们，并已邀请了亲戚好友。 25 彼得刚要进屋，哥尼流就迎了上去，匍伏在彼得的脚边，拜他。 26 彼得把他扶起来，说∶“快起来！我只不过是个凡人而已。” 27 彼得边说边走进了屋子。他发现很多人聚集在里面， 28 就说∶“你们知道，我们的法律是不允许犹太人和外族人交往，并去拜访外族人。但是，上帝指示我不该把任何人看成是不洁净或污秽的， 29 所以，你们邀请我，我没有推辞就来了。不过，我要问你们：你们为什么邀请我呢？”
30 哥尼流说道∶“四天前，大约在这个时候，也就是下午三点钟左右，我正在屋里做祷告，突然，一个身穿耀眼衣服的人站到我面前。 31 他说∶‘哥尼流，上帝听到了你的祷告，你对穷人的施舍，也被上帝记在心里了， 32 所以，你要派人去约帕，请一个叫西门彼得的人到这儿来。他住在海边，在硝皮匠西门的家里做客。 33 所以，我马上就派人去请你，而你，竟肯光临寒舍。那么，现在我们都在此，在上帝的面前，准备聆听上帝吩咐你讲述所有的话。”
彼得在哥尼流家讲话
34 彼得便开口说道∶“我现在真正彻底地明白了上帝是不偏不倚的。 35 任何一个民族的人，只要敬畏他、做正确的事情，他都会接受的。 36 你们知道他通过全人类之主耶稣基督，把信息送给了以色列人，传播福音。 37 约翰传播洗礼的信息后，从加利利开始，发生在犹太各地的大事，你们是知道的。 38 你们知道拿撒勒的耶稣—上帝是怎样用圣灵和力量膏泽他，他又怎样走遍各地，到处行善，治愈了受到魔鬼控制的人。那是因为上帝与他同在。 39 我们是他在犹太城和耶路撒冷所做的一切的见证人。他们把他钉死在了十字架上， 40 但是，在第三天，上帝使他复活，而且向人们显示了他， 41 但不是在所有的人的面前，而是在事先被上帝挑选的证人的面前出现，即向我们显示了他。我们在他从死里复活后，还与他同吃同喝。 42 他还命令我们向这些人们传道，证明，他就是上帝任命来审判生者和死者的那位。 43 所有的先知关于他都证实说：信仰他的人都会通过他的名字领受到对罪孽的宽恕。”
上帝展示他接受所有的人
44 彼得正说着这些事时，圣灵降临到所有正在听这信息的人的身上了。 45 和彼得一起来的犹太信徒都非常惊讶，因为圣灵的馈赠竟然也倾注到了外族人的身上了。 46 因为他们听见，这些人在说不同的语言并且盛赞上帝的伟大。这时，彼得说∶ 47 “他们也和我们一样，领受了圣灵，那么，谁能阻止他们接受水的洗礼呢？ 48 因此，他便吩咐他们以耶稣基督的名义接受了洗礼。然后，那些人又请求彼得他们多住了几日。
Gevurot 10
Orthodox Jewish Bible
10 Now a certain ish in Caesarea by name Cornelius, a centurion from what was called the Italian cohort,
2 A devout man, a yire Elohim, as was all his bais, who practiced much tzedakah for the benefit of Am Yisroel, and davened to Hashem continually.
3 Cornelius clearly saw in a chazon (vision) lav davka (approximately) at the ninth hour of the day (three o’clock in the afternoon) a malach Hashem having come to him and having said to him, "Cornelius!" [TEHILLIM 55:17]
4 And having looked intently at him and having become afraid, Cornelius said, "What is it, Adon?" The malach said to him, "Your tefillos and your giving tzedakah have ascended as a zikaron (memorial) before Hashem. [TEHILLIM 20:3]
5 "Now dispatch some anashim to Yafo and send for a certain Shimon who is also called Kefa.
6 "This one is staying with a certain Shimon, a tanner, whose bais is by the sea."
7 And, when the malach speaking to him had departed, Cornelius summoned shnayim of his household avadim and a devout chaiyal (soldier) from among the ones in his service,
8 Having explained everything, sent them to Yafo.
9 Now on the next day, as these were traveling and drawing near to Yafo, around the sixth hour (noon), Kefa went up on to the roof to daven (pray).
10 And Kefa became hungry, and was wanting to have a meal; but while they were preparing it, Kefa fell into a trance;
11 And he sees Shomayim having been opened, and a certain object descending like a large linen cloth lowered by four corners upon haAretz.
12 In this were all the fourfooted animals and remasim haAdamah (creepers of the earth) and oph haShomayim (birds of heaven, birds of the air).
13 And there came a bat kol (voice) to him, "Get up, Kefa, kill and eat!"
14 But Kefa said, "Chalilah li, Adonoi! For I have never eaten basar piggul (unclean meat) or shikkutz tameh (abominable unclean thing)." [VAYIKRA 11:4-20; 20-25; DEVARIM 14:3-20; YECHEZKEL 4:14]
15 And the bat kol came to Kefa again for a second time, "What Hashem made tahor (clean), you should no longer regard as tameh (unclean)." [BERESHIS 9:3]
16 And this happened shloshah pe’amim; and immediately the object was taken up into Shomayim.
17 Now, while Kefa was greatly perplexed within himself as to what the chazon which he saw might be, hinei, the anashim, who had been sent by Cornelius, and who had, by inquiring, found the bais of Shimon, stood at the gate.
18 And, calling out, they were asking if Shimon, the one called Kefa, is staying here.
19 And while Kefa was reflecting on the chazon, the Ruach Hakodesh said to him, "Hinei, shloshah anashim are looking for you.
20 "But get up and go downstairs and accompany them without apprehensions, for I myself have sent them."
21 And Kefa went downstairs to the anashim and said, "Hinei, I am the one whom you are seeking; for what reason did you come?"
22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an ish tzaddik, and a yire Elohim with a shem tov with all the Am HaYehudim, was directed by a malach kadosh to summon you to his bais and to hear a message from you."
23 Therefore, having invited them in, Kefa gave them hachnosas orchim (hospitality, lodging). And on the next day Kefa got up and went away with them, and some of the Achim b’Moshiach from Yafo accompanied him.
24 And on the following day, Moshiach’s Shliach Shimon Kefa entered into Caesarea, and Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his krovey mishpokhot (relatives) and close friends.
25 Now when it came about that Kefa entered, Cornelius met him, falling at his feet to pay him reverence. [DANIEL 7:14; 3:18]
26 Kefa made him stand up, saying, "Get up. I myself am only a ben Adam like everyone else."
27 And as he conversed with Cornelius, Kefa entered and finds many having assembled,
28 And he said to them, "You have da’as that it is asur (prohibited) for an ish Yehudi to associate with or to approach a nokhri (foreigner). And yet to me Hashem showed to call no one shikkutz (abomination) or tameh (unclean).
29 "Therefore, also, when summoned, I came, raising no objections. And so I ask for what reason you summoned me?"
30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was davening in my bais at the ninth hour, and, hinei, a being stood before me enrobed in shining radiance,
31 "And he said, ‘Cornelius, your tefillah was heard and your tzedakah is remembered before Hashem.
32 ‘Therefore, send to Yafo and summon Shimon who is called Kefa. He is staying in the bais of Shimon the tanner by the sea.’
33 "At once I sent for you and you did well having come. Now, therefore, we all are present before Hashem to hear all the things that have been commanded to you by Adonoi."
34 And opening his mouth, Kefa said, "Omein, I have binah that Hashem is not one to show masso panim (partiality), [Dt 10:17; 2Ch 19:7; Job 34:19]
35 "But in every nation the ones who have yirat Shomayim and work Tzidkat Hashem are acceptable to him.
36 "The dvar which he sent to the Bnei Yisroel, preaching shalom through Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua (Hu Adon Kol!) [Isa 52:7; Ps 107:20; 147:18 TARGUM HASHIVIM]
37 "That word, I say, you know the thing which took place throughout all Yehudah, having begun from the Galil after the tevilah of teshuva which Yochanan preached;
38 "You know Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua from Natzeret, how Hashem anointed him with the Ruach Hakodesh and with ko’ach (power), and how he went about doing mitzvot and giving refu’ah shlemah to all the ones being oppressed by Samael (the devil) because Hashem was with him. [YESHAYAH 61:1]
39 "We are edim (witnesses) of all things which he did both in the countryside of Yehudah and in Yerushalayim. And they also put him to death, having hanged nivlato al haEtz (his body on the Tree, DEVARIM 21:23).
40 "This one Hashem made to stand up alive again on the Yom HaShelishi and granted to him to be visible,
41 "Not to Klal Yisroel, but to edim which had been chosen beforehand by Hashem, that is, to us who ate and drank together with him at Tish after the Techiyas HaMoshiach.
42 "Moshiach gave mitzvah to us to preach to the people and to bear solemn edut that this one is the one having been appointed by Hashem as Shofet HaChayyim v’HaMesim.
43 "To this one all the Nevi’im bear witness that through ha-Shem of him [Moshiach Yehoshua, Yeshua] everyone who has emunah in him has selicha (forgiveness) of chatta’'im (averos, sins).
44 While Kefa was still speaking these words, the Ruach Hakodesh fell upon all the ones hearing the dvar.
45 And the Messianic Jews who had come with Kefa were mishpoyel (standing in awe) that also upon the Goyim the matnat HaRuach Hakodesh has been poured out.
46 For they were hearing them speaking in leshonot and exalting Hashem. Then Kefa answered,
47 "Surely no one can refuse the mikveh mayim for these to be given Moshiach’s tevilah of teshuva who have received the Ruach Hakodesh just as we did, can he?" [Ac 2:4; cf Lk 3:16; Ac 11:16]
48 And Kefa directed for them to be given Moshiach’s tevilah of teshuva in the Shem of Moshiach Yehoshua (Yeshua). Then they asked him to remain some yamim.
Acts 10
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
IV. The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission
Chapter 10
The Vision of Cornelius.(A) 1 [a]Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Cohort called the Italica,[b] 2 devout and God-fearing along with his whole household, who used to give alms generously[c] to the Jewish people and pray to God constantly. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock,[d] he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 He looked intently at him and, seized with fear, said, “What is it, sir?” He said to him, “Your prayers and almsgiving have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send some men to Joppa and summon one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with another Simon, a tanner, who has a house by the sea.”(B) 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier[e] from his staff, 8 explained everything to them, and sent them to Joppa.
The Vision of Peter. 9 [f]The next day, while they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up to the roof terrace to pray at about noontime.[g] 10 He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance. 11 (C)He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all the earth’s four-legged animals and reptiles and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, sir. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.”(D) 15 The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.”(E) 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky.
17 [h]While Peter was in doubt about the meaning of the vision he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius asked for Simon’s house and arrived at the entrance. 18 They called out inquiring whether Simon, who is called Peter, was staying there. 19 As Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said [to him], “There are three men here looking for you.(F) 20 So get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.” 21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your being here?” 22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, respected by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.”(G) 23 So he invited them in and showed them hospitality.
The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 [i]On the following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 (H)When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” 27 While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together 28 (I)and said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean.[j] 29 And that is why I came without objection when sent for. May I ask, then, why you summoned me?”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago[k] at this hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said, 31 ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your almsgiving remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Peter’s Speech.[l] 34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said,[m] “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.(J) 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. 36 [n]You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites[o] as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,(K) 37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,(L) 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth[p] with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.(M) 39 We are witnesses[q] of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and [in] Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 40 This man God raised [on] the third day and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.(N) 42 He commissioned us(O) to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.[r] 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Baptism of Cornelius. 44 (P)While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.[s] 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?”(Q) 48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. 49 Then they invited him to stay for a few days.
Footnotes
- 10:1–48 The narrative centers on the conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile and a “God-fearer” (see note on Acts 8:26–40). Luke considers the event of great importance, as is evident from his long treatment of it. The incident is again related in Acts 11:1–18 where Peter is forced to justify his actions before the Jerusalem community and alluded to in Acts 15:7–11 where at the Jerusalem “Council” Peter supports Paul’s missionary activity among the Gentiles. The narrative divides itself into a series of distinct episodes, concluding with Peter’s presentation of the Christian kerygma (Acts 10:4–43) and a pentecostal experience undergone by Cornelius’ household preceding their reception of baptism (Acts 10:44–48).
- 10:1 The Cohort called the Italica: this battalion was an auxiliary unit of archers formed originally in Italy but transferred to Syria shortly before A.D. 69.
- 10:2 Used to give alms generously: like Tabitha (Acts 9:36), Cornelius exemplifies the proper attitude toward wealth (see note on Acts 9:36).
- 10:3 About three o’clock: literally, “about the ninth hour.” See note on Acts 3:1.
- 10:7 A devout soldier: by using this adjective, Luke probably intends to classify him as a “God-fearer” (see note on Acts 8:26–40).
- 10:9–16 The vision is intended to prepare Peter to share the food of Cornelius’ household without qualms of conscience (Acts 10:48). The necessity of such instructions to Peter reveals that at first not even the apostles fully grasped the implications of Jesus’ teaching on the law. In Acts, the initial insight belongs to Stephen.
- 10:9 At about noontime: literally, “about the sixth hour.”
- 10:17–23 The arrival of the Gentile emissaries with their account of the angelic apparition illuminates Peter’s vision: he is to be prepared to admit Gentiles, who were considered unclean like the animals of his vision, into the Christian community.
- 10:24–27 So impressed is Cornelius with the apparition that he invites close personal friends to join him in his meeting with Peter. But his understanding of the person he is about to meet is not devoid of superstition, suggested by his falling down before him. For a similar experience of Paul and Barnabas, see Acts 14:11–18.
- 10:28 Peter now fully understands the meaning of his vision; see note on Acts 10:17–23.
- 10:30 Four days ago: literally, “from the fourth day up to this hour.”
- 10:34–43 Peter’s speech to the household of Cornelius typifies early Christian preaching to Gentiles.
- 10:34–35 The revelation of God’s choice of Israel to be the people of God did not mean he withheld the divine favor from other people.
- 10:36–43 These words are more directed to Luke’s Christian readers than to the household of Cornelius, as indicated by the opening words, “You know.” They trace the continuity between the preaching and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and the proclamation of Jesus by the early community. The emphasis on this divinely ordained continuity (Acts 10:41) is meant to assure Luke’s readers of the fidelity of Christian tradition to the words and deeds of Jesus.
- 10:36 To the Israelites: Luke, in the words of Peter, speaks of the prominent position occupied by Israel in the history of salvation.
- 10:38 Jesus of Nazareth: God’s revelation of his plan for the destiny of humanity through Israel culminated in Jesus of Nazareth. Consequently, the ministry of Jesus is an integral part of God’s revelation. This viewpoint explains why the early Christian communities were interested in conserving the historical substance of the ministry of Jesus, a tradition leading to the production of the four gospels.
- 10:39 We are witnesses: the apostolic testimony was not restricted to the resurrection of Jesus but also included his historical ministry. This witness, however, was theological in character; the Twelve, divinely mandated as prophets, were empowered to interpret his sayings and deeds in the light of his redemptive death and resurrection. The meaning of these words and deeds was to be made clear to the developing Christian community as the bearer of the word of salvation (cf. Acts 1:21–26). Hanging him on a tree: see note on Acts 5:30.
- 10:42 As judge of the living and the dead: the apostolic preaching to the Jews appealed to their messianic hope, while the preaching to Gentiles stressed the coming divine judgment; cf. 1 Thes 1:10.
- 10:44 Just as the Jewish Christians received the gift of the Spirit, so too do the Gentiles.
Copyright © 2004 by World Bible Translation Center
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International
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