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Acts 10:1–8. In Caesarea there was a certain man named Cornelius, a centurion from a regiment called Italian, who was pious and feared God with all his household, who gave much alms to the people and always prayed to God. In a vision, he clearly saw at about the ninth hour of the day an Angel of God who came to him and said to him: Cornelius! He looked at him and was frightened and said: What, Lord? The angel answered him: Your prayers and your alms have come as a memorial before God. So send people to Joppa and call Simon, who is called Peter. He is visiting a certain Simon the tanner, whose house is located by the sea; he will tell you words by which you and your whole house will be saved. When the angel who spoke with Cornelius departed, he called two of his servants and a pious warrior from those who were with him and, having told them everything, sent them to Joppa. This Cornelius was neither a Jew nor one of those under the law, and yet he already led the same way of life as we do. Now two of the people invested with honors believe in Christ - the Ethiopian woman’s treasurer and this one, “pious and fearing God with all his house.” We do not take care of our household, but this one took care of the soldiers. He was a "centurion from a regiment called Italian." For this purpose, he makes this person known and provides detailed information about him, so that someone does not say that there are errors against history in the Holy Scriptures. (You need to know that the regiment - the spira - consisted of two hundred soldiers, and the kustadia of sixty.) “In a vision he clearly saw about the ninth hour of the day an Angel of God who came in to him.” Sees an Angel to replenish Peter's faith. Or, better yet, not for him, but for others weaker in faith. “About the ninth hour of the day,” when he left his worries and was in peace and quiet. Since the True Eye and the Great Judge knows that even great deeds, without faith, are dead, He sends an Angel who confirms their significance behind deeds, so that those who struggle well may be crowned with faith. The vision aroused fear in Cornelius, however moderate, just as much as was necessary just to arouse his attention. Then the words of the Angel destroyed the fear. “Your prayers and your alms have come as a memorial before God.” Look where the prayer goes - to the highest heaven and stands right before the royal throne. Pay attention to the Angel: he first elevates and lifts the thoughts of Cornelius to the highest, then he says: “Send people to Joppa and call Simon, called Peter. He is visiting a certain Simon the tanner." To prevent them from going to someone else, he identifies this person not only by name, but also by the place where he is: “whose house is by the sea.” The apostles chose places remote from cities; they loved the desert and silence. What if it happens that there is another Simon the tanner? Here's a sign: this one lives by the sea. The angel did not say why this should be done in order to fill him with joy. "Calling two of his servants and a godly warrior". Look, it’s not for nothing that it was said that these were people who were constantly with him. “Having told them everything, he sent them to Joppa.” Notice the lack of arrogance. He didn’t say “call me Peter,” but he told me everything in order to encourage him to come to him, because he considered it indecent to call him because of his authority. That’s why I told everything to the messengers. Acts 10:9–16. The next day, as they walked and approached the city, Peter, at about the sixth hour, went up to the top of the house to pray. And he felt hungry and wanted to eat. While they were preparing, he went into a frenzy and sees the open sky and a certain vessel descending towards it, like a large canvas, tied at the four corners and lowered to the ground; in it were all four-legged creatures of the earth, animals, reptiles and birds of the air. And a voice came to him: Arise, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said: No, Lord, I have never eaten anything bad or unclean. Then another time a voice came to him: what God has cleansed, do not consider unclean. This happened three times; and the vessel rose again to heaven. See how the Spirit brings times together and makes it happen neither earlier nor later. “Peter about the sixth hour went up to the top of the house to pray.” That is, in a special place and in silence. "He went into a frenzy." This means both amazement at the sight of a miracle and the state when a person does not control his feelings, being raptured into the spiritual world. So he had a sort of spiritual vision. “A certain vessel descending towards him, like a large canvas.” The first of the apostles, Peter, needed Divine revelation about the calling of the pagans to the Christian faith, because he did not know that circumcision and uncircumcision make no difference in relation to faith. Peter, of course, did not clearly know that the Lord said that when the ministry of faith was revealed, the pagans would be taught this faith, he did not know until His ineffable will through this phenomenon revealed this secret, convincing him of this, on the one hand, by the example of the fallen linen, and on the other hand, by the fact that the grace of the Holy Spirit was taught to the pagans after converting them to faith, convincing him that in In Christ there is no difference between Jew and Greek. "Tied at the four corners and lowered to the ground". The four edges show the four elements, the vessel that appears means the roughest world, and various animals are symbols of the state of people. The symbol of the entire universe was this man, Cornelius, with the foreskin, because he had nothing in common with the Jews. Everyone would begin to accuse Peter as a criminal, and therefore the Spirit arranges for him to have protection; That is why he objects to the Angel. For he had to fully observe the law. So, this is arranged so that he will not be accused. Maybe he knelt down and saw a vision. And what happened was a divine deed, that is, that he saw the highest and was in a state of frenzy, and heard a voice from there and that he confessed three times that there were unclean animals there. And the fact that the vessel descended from heaven and ascended there is a great proof of purity. So, this is done for those to whom it is to be told. Because Peter himself heard the command of the Lord: “Do not go into the way of the pagans” (Matthew 10:5). If even Paul needed circumcision and sacrifice, then even more so at the beginning of his sermon, when they were very weak. But Peter did not say about everyone that they were filthy and unclean, but only about those whom the law called filthy and unclean. And God, who drew the image of His Church, said that it should not consider anything unclean for itself. Because everything is pure to a person, which he accepts with thanksgiving and God’s blessing. But if this contained a parable instruction regarding the calling of the peoples, so as not to consider those who have uncircumcised foreskin as nasty and unclean, then Peter’s speech nevertheless contained an indication not of people, but of animals prohibited by the Law of Moses. Because animal species are taken instead of human properties, and from the description of Petrov’s vision it is known that in the vessel that came down from heaven there were all kinds of animals: reptiles, birds and four-legged animals. This is because the word covertly depicts that those who turn to faith are under the dominion of various sins, that they have become like either four-legged animals in cruelty, or reptiles in poisonousness, or birds in the lightness and inconstancy of their nature. And besides, snakes are taken as a symbol of the Sadducees and Pharisees, and a fox is taken as a symbol of Herod, and horses excited by a passion for sexual intimacy are taken as a symbol of voluptuous people; sheep - for the gentlest people, kids - for the unsociable and indifferent, and hedgehogs - for the rich; The Lord said about them that they pierce the word with their thorns and make it fruitless. “Another time a voice came to him: what God has cleansed, do not consider unclean.” Apparently, the voice refers to Peter, but meanwhile everything is said to the Jews. Because if this teacher suffers censure, then all the more they deserve it. Acts 10:17–20. When Peter wondered within himself what the vision that he saw meant, behold, the men sent by Cornelius, having inquired about the house of Simon, stopped at the gate, and, shouting, asked: Is Simon, who is called Peter, here? While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold, three men are looking for you; get up, get down and go with them, without any doubt; for I have sent them. The cloth (shroud) means the earth, and the animals in it mean the pagans. The saying “slaughter and eat” (v. 13) means that they too must come to Christ, and the fact that this is repeated three times means baptism. So, the true meaning of the vision points him to the doctrine of the Trinity, just as faith in the Trinity represents true worship of God. "Behold, the men sent by Cornelius." These men come in good time to resolve the confusion. For Christ also allowed Joseph to be afraid at first, and then sent an Angel, because the soul easily accepts permission from the bewilderment it had previously experienced. And besides, he did not have to remain in bewilderment for long, and it was not before that it became aroused, but at the very time when they asked about him whether he was visiting here. “While Peter was meditating on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you.” Again, this serves as Peter’s apology to the disciples, so that they would see that he was thinking and was instructed not to think. Because he was told: “Go with them, without any doubt; for I have sent them." Great is the power of the Spirit, because what God the Father does, the Holy Spirit does the same. The angel said: “Your prayers and your alms” (v. 4) to show that he was sent from there; but the Spirit does not do so, but says: “For I sent them.” So, we must obey the Spirit. Acts 10:21–24. Peter, going down to the people sent to him from Cornelius, said: I am the one you are looking for; What business did you come for? They said: Cornelius the centurion, a virtuous man who fears God, approved by all the people of Judea, received a command from the holy Angel to call you to his house and listen to your speeches. Then Peter, inviting them, treated them. And the next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brethren of Joppa went with him. The next day they came to Caesarea. First, Peter admitted that he was the one they were looking for, and then he asked about the reason for their coming, in order to either be ready immediately and go with them, or, if this was not necessary, to accommodate them in the house. And the messengers praise Cornelius in order to convince Peter that an Angel appeared to him. The leadership over the people is in the hands of a pious man, who, according to his merits, has proven worthy of it. True, it still happens that those in power do not correspond to their position; but if this were not the case, then what would we talk about? “Call you to my home.” They say he sent it not out of disdain, but because he was commanded to do so. So, do not neglect it: it is good that Peter first treats these men friendly, since they are tired, and thus wins them over. And the fact that some from Joppa went with him was a dispensation, so that later they would be witnesses when Peter needed to justify himself. Acts 10:24–27. Cornelius was expecting them, having called his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered, Cornelius met him and bowed down at his feet. Peter raised him up, saying: Arise; I'm also a human being. And talking with him, he entered the house and found many gathered. He was a glorious man and had a home in a glorious city. "Calling relatives". This is the characteristic of a completely pious friend: Cornelius, being surrounded by so many blessings, makes everyone associates and close friends. They were called close friends because he could rely on them when he had to work and care for so many subordinates. Both friends and relatives, it seems to me, ate his food. Look how confident Cornelius was that Peter would certainly come. This is because the Angel did not appear to him in a dream, but while he was awake and during the day. “And Peter lifted him up, saying, Arise; I am also a human being." By this he teaches others and brings thanks to God, showing his humility. Look: first of all, he teaches others not to think much about themselves. Acts 10:28–33. And he said to them: you know that it is forbidden for a Jew to communicate or become close to a foreigner; but God revealed to me that I should not consider any person base or unclean. Therefore, when I was called, I came without question. So I ask: for what work have you called me? Cornelius said: On the fourth day I fasted until the present hour, and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in light clothes and said: “Cornelius! your prayer is heard, and your alms are remembered before God. So go to Joppa and call Simon, who is called Peter; he is visiting the house of the tanner Simon by the sea; he will come and tell you.” I immediately sent to you, and you did well to come. Now we all stand before God to listen to everything that is commanded to you from God. He talks about God’s love for mankind and shows that God gave them great gifts, and at the same time he speaks about great things and speaks with humility. Because he didn’t say: “People! We came to you, although we consider it unworthy to touch anyone,” but he said: “You know that God gave such a command that it would be considered lawlessness “for a Jew ... to communicate or become close to a foreigner; but God revealed to me that I should not consider a single person bad or unclean.” It is remarkable that God Himself commanded the Christian people not to “consider a single person base or unclean,” but to live with them, because they too, perhaps, will believe in Christ with special strength. “So I ask: for what work have you called me?” Peter had already heard about everything from the soldiers, but he wants them to confess and become right in the faith. “At nine o’clock I prayed in my house.” What does it mean? It seems to me that with the most careful order in his life, time was distributed, and, moreover, on certain days, which is why he said: “on the fourth day.” Look how powerful prayer is. When he succeeded in the work of piety, then an Angel appeared to him, this is one day; when the messengers of Cornelius departed, this is also one; when they walked - one, and the fourth turns out to be from the third hour, when he was praying. “A man stood before me in light clothes.” He doesn’t say “Angel,” but “husband.” So he is far from proud. You see the thought that follows from this, you see how worthy he was of all this. “Now we all stand before God to listen to everything that God has commanded you.” He did not say: “before man,” but “before God.” So, we must listen to God’s servants with attention. Acts 10:34–43. Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; But in every nation, whoever fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. He sent a word to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ; This is the Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism preached by John: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. And we are witnesses to everything that He did in the land of Judea and in Jerusalem, and that they finally killed Him by hanging Him on a tree. This one God raised up on the third day, and gave Him to appear not to all the people, but to the witnesses chosen by God, us, who ate and drank with Him after His resurrection from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to people and testify that He is the Judge appointed by God of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His name. “Truly I perceive...” I perceive that God does not look at the quality of the person, but at the difference of deeds. By what Peter says, he clearly shows that the God whom Cornelius feared, about whom he received instruction from the law and the prophets, for whose sake he did alms, that this God is truly God. He lacked knowledge of the Son. See how he does not give free rein to exalt his thoughts. "In every nation". He says this so that you do not think that the pagans belong to the category of outcasts. “He who does what is right is acceptable to Him.” The expression “in truth” is used instead of “with all virtue.” He did not say “saved,” but “accepted by Him,” that is, worthy of being accepted by God. “He sent word to the children of Israel.” Gives preference to the children of Israel. This speaks for the sake of those present, to convince them. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Of course - according to humanity. Since He humbled Himself and took on our flesh and our blood (see Heb. 2:14), it is said of Him that He, as a man, accepts what He has by nature as God. Because He receives not for Himself, but for us, as in the beginning He did it for Himself, or, better, since He is God the Word, it was His own. The expression “possessed by the devil” indicates many injuries and injuries in the bodies that depended on the devil. “They killed him by hanging him on a tree.” Again he speaks of humiliation. Having shown that He was sent by God, the Apostle Peter says that He was killed. Lest you consider anything inappropriate, note that they never hide the teaching of the cross, but along with other things they also offer an image of death. "Witnesses... pre-elected". Although Jesus Christ Himself chose them, the expression “pre-elect” is assigned to God the Father. "Who ate and drank with Him". See what confirms the truth of the resurrection. Why did Jesus Christ, when resurrected, not perform any miracle, but eat and drink? Because the resurrection itself was a great miracle. Moreover, there is not and could not have been in this case a greater miracle than the fact that He ate and drank. "And bear witness". To testify, he says, clearly, so as not to fall into ignorance. “All the prophets bear witness to Him.” Whatever prophets spoke about the remission of sins, they all said that sins are forgiven in this Jesus. So Isaiah says on His behalf: “I myself blot out your transgressions for my own sake and will not remember your sins” (Is. 43:25). Peter, however, did not say that He was the Son of God, but, what frightened them more, the preparation appropriate to the time was borrowed from the prophets, because they enjoyed great fame. But, having swayed people with fear, he makes them leniency, which, however, was not spoken by him, but by the prophets. So, he speaks the terrible things from himself, and the things imbued with meekness - on behalf of the prophets. Acts 10:44–48. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from the circumcision who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter said: Who can forbid those who, like us, have received the Holy Spirit, to be baptized with water? And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay with them for several days. Notice God's economy. God did not allow Peter's speech to be completed and the baptism to be carried out by order of Peter; but as soon as He saw that their thoughts were filled with amazement and the beginning of teaching had been made, and they fully believed that baptism was the remission of sins, then the Spirit descended. Moreover, they began to speak in different languages, which amazed those gathered. Meanwhile, God arranged in advance a great apology for Peter in this. “Who can forbid those who, like us, have received the Holy Spirit, to be baptized with water?” And what was the need for water when the Holy Spirit descended on them? So, I will show it and explain to you this hidden mystery. It fully expresses the Divine symbols: the grave and dying, resurrection and life. Just as it is easy for us to dive in and emerge, so it is convenient for God to bury the old man and reveal the new one. And this happens three times so that you learn that all this is accomplished by the power of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And that what has been said is not just a simple guess, listen to Paul, who says: “We were buried with Him through baptism into death” (Rom. 6:4). And again: “Our old man was crucified with Him” (Rom. 6:6). And again: “We are united to Him in the likeness of death” (Rom. 6:5). 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