使徒行傳 10:17-33 福音打破藩籬
- 馬克牧師
- May 24, 2024
- 8 min read
17 彼得心裏正在猜疑之間，不知所看見的異象是甚麼意思。哥尼流所差來的人已經訪問到西門的家，站在門外， 18喊着問：「有稱呼彼得的西門住在這裏沒有？」 19彼得還思想那異象的時候，聖靈向他說：「有三個人來找你。 20起來，下去，和他們同往，不要疑惑，因為是我差他們來的。」 21於是彼得下去見那些人，說：「我就是你們所找的人。你們來是為甚麼緣故？」 22他們說：「百夫長哥尼流是個義人，敬畏神，為猶太通國所稱讚。他蒙一位聖天使指示，叫他請你到他家裏去，聽你的話。」 23彼得就請他們進去，住了一宿。
次日，起身和他們同去，還有約帕的幾個弟兄同着他去； 24又次日，他們進入凱撒利亞，哥尼流已經請了他的親屬密友等候他們。 25彼得一進去，哥尼流就迎接他，俯伏在他腳前拜他。 26彼得卻拉他，說：「你起來，我也是人。」 27彼得和他說着話進去，見有好些人在那裏聚集， 28就對他們說：「你們知道，猶太人和別國的人親近來往本是不合例的，但神已經指示我，無論甚麼人都不可看作俗而不潔淨的。 29所以我被請的時候，就不推辭而來。現在請問：你們叫我來有甚麼意思呢？」 30哥尼流說：「前四天，這個時候，我在家中守着申初的禱告，忽然有一個人穿着光明的衣裳，站在我面前， 31說：『哥尼流，你的禱告已蒙垂聽，你的賙濟達到神面前已蒙記念了。 32你當打發人往約帕去，請那稱呼彼得的西門來，他住在海邊一個硝皮匠西門的家裏。』 33所以我立時打發人去請你。你來了很好；現今我們都在神面前，要聽主所吩咐你的一切話。」
各位平安，我們今天讀的是《使徒行傳》第十章的第二部分。我們看到彼得與義大利軍長哥尼流見面了。
我們看到上帝在這整件事中的作為。首先，祂啟示哥尼流請彼得來，然後向彼得顯示異象，告訴他有外邦人要來聽福音。接著，聖靈的引導將哥尼流所差派的兵丁和兩個家人帶到彼得那裡。彼得也聽從聖靈的引導，知道這是上帝差派他們來的。
哥尼流非常敬虔，他不僅請了他的家人和親屬，還有一些密友一起來聽這重要的訊息。他知道這是極重要的福音，所以邀請了所有親朋好友，希望他們一同來聽。這個人真不簡單，他知道福音的重要，立刻將自己認為重要的人都召集來，期盼他們一同聽到福音。因此，有時外邦人在信主時，比原本的信徒還要虔誠和努力，因為他們期盼已久的福音終於來到他們的生命中，他們迫不及待地要與他人一起分享。
我們看到，哥尼流迎接彼得的方式是俯伏拜他。他認為彼得是上帝派來的天使，應該用上賓之禮對待他。這樣的熱情連彼得都不知道該怎麼說，只能說：“你趕快起來，我只是個人，不要拜我。”
接下來，哥尼流把整個異象的過程詳盡地說了出來。彼得聽到後，發現與他的異象相符，他們兩人就很明確地知道他們是同感一靈，同樣被聖靈啟示，同樣面對這次會面。因此，這次的會面不是人的意思，而是上帝的安排。上帝給彼得一個外邦人的福音工作，而哥尼流則被揀選成為外邦人中加入教會的重要家庭。
這裡有一個重要的屬靈原則，上帝在感動我們時，也會感動我們周圍的人。當我們願意進行一項事工時，周圍的人也會有所呼應。因此，當我們禱告時要有耐心，上帝會為我們預備周圍的人，讓我們一同被預備，來進行事工，並且異象會彼此呼應。
我們來看看第27節：彼得和他說著話，進去他家裡。他一開口就說，猶太人和別國的人親近往來，本是不合例的。對彼得來說，這是一個不容易跨出的一步。在21世紀的今天，這看起來沒什麼大不了的，但對於很多民族和現今世界上的許多人來說，與非信徒或外邦人交往仍是一件嚴重的事。在某些地方，有非常嚴格的宗教信仰，如果與基督徒交往，會受到家裡的重大批評和打擊。我2023年去土耳其時，與導遊小姐聊天，她說她家很開明，父母尊重她的信仰選擇。我們開玩笑問她，如果交了一個基督徒男朋友會怎樣？她說父母不會太多意見，但如果告訴其他親戚，他們會很生氣，甚至可能斷絕來往，因為土耳其有百分之九十幾是嚴謹的回教徒。
在今天的世界上，我們因政治、宗教、種族或其他原因，看到很多國家和地區分裂。不同的宗教、政治立場使我們無法彼此理解，把對方當作敵人。但彼得跨進哥尼流家門，象徵著一個重大的改變。因著福音的緣故，我們可以彼此和好，重新成為弟兄姊妹。上帝的意思是要我們在祂裡面，重新成為一家人。
彼得跨進哥尼流家門的這一步，是彼得的一小步，卻是福音的一大步。上帝不偏待人，祂真正拯救一切信祂的人。阿門，感謝上帝。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天來讀第十章的最後一段，看看彼得的講道，以及他們全家信主，並領受聖靈。感謝各位的聆聽。
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Peace be with you all. Today, we are reading the second part of Acts chapter 10, where we see Peter meeting with Cornelius, the Italian centurion.
We witness God's work throughout this event. First, He revealed to Cornelius to invite Peter, then He showed Peter a vision, telling him that Gentiles were coming to hear the gospel. Next, under the Holy Spirit's guidance, Cornelius' soldiers and two of his family members were brought to Peter. Peter also obeyed the Holy Spirit's guidance, knowing that God had sent them.
Cornelius was very devout. He not only invited his family and relatives but also some close friends to hear this important message. He knew how crucial the gospel was, so he invited all his close ones, hoping they would hear it together. This man was remarkable. He understood the importance of the gospel and immediately gathered those he deemed important to hear it together. Sometimes, Gentiles, when they come to faith, are more devout and diligent than existing believers because the gospel they longed for finally came into their lives, and they couldn't wait to share it with others.
We see that Cornelius welcomed Peter by bowing down to him. He thought Peter was an angel sent by God and treated him as an honored guest. Peter, not knowing how to respond to such enthusiasm, could only say, “Stand up; I am only a man myself.”
Then Cornelius detailed the entire vision process. When Peter heard this and found it aligned with his vision, they both clearly understood that they were both inspired by the same Spirit and were meant to meet. Thus, this meeting was not by human design but by God's arrangement. God gave Peter a mission to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and Cornelius was chosen to be a key family among the Gentiles to join the church.
Here lies an important spiritual principle: when God moves us, He also moves those around us. When we are willing to undertake a ministry, those around us will respond. Therefore, when we pray, we must be patient, knowing that God will prepare those around us, allowing us to be jointly prepared to carry out the ministry, with visions resonating with one another.
In verse 27, Peter spoke with Cornelius and went into his house. As he began to speak, he mentioned that it was against Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. For Peter, this was not an easy step to take. In the 21st century, this might not seem significant, but for many ethnicities and even in today's world, interacting with non-believers or Gentiles remains a serious matter. In some places, strict religious beliefs mean that associating with Christians could lead to severe family criticism and backlash. When I visited Turkey in 2023, I chatted with a tour guide who said her family was open-minded and respected her choice of faith. We jokingly asked what would happen if she dated a Christian. She said her parents wouldn't mind much, but if she told other relatives, they would be very angry and might even cut off contact, as Turkey is over 90% strict Muslim.
Today, we see many nations and regions divided due to politics, religion, race, or other reasons. Different religious and political stances make understanding each other difficult, turning others into enemies. However, Peter stepping into Cornelius’ house symbolizes a significant change. Because of the gospel, we can reconcile and become brothers and sisters again. God's intention is for us to become one family in Him.
Peter’s step into Cornelius' house was a small step for Peter but a giant leap for the gospel. God does not show favoritism; He truly saves all who believe in Him. Amen, thank God.
Thank you for listening. Tomorrow, we will read the last part of chapter 10, looking at Peter’s sermon and how Cornelius’ household came to faith and received the Holy Spirit. Thank you for listening.
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