SURREY CHAPEL – Fellowship Group Notes for the 26th/27th February 2014
ACTS – CHURCH ON THE MOVE
(Theme Acts 1:8)
Chapter 10: 1-23 Attitude change

This chapter starts a long section about the Gentiles coming into the church as believers.
In this section we see God speaking to Cornelius and then to Peter. Both men, Jew and Gentile, God would change. What that change means is seen in Ephesians 2v11-13.

GOD SPEAKS TO CORNELIUS – v 1-8
Note how the Gospel had spread from the Jews to those with a Greek background 6:1; then to those of Samaria (half Jews) 8:1; next to an African (Jewish convert) 8:27 and now spreading to the Gentiles.
v2	family who were ‘devout’ and ‘God fearing’ –what do these two descriptions mean?
What ways, mentioned here, was this evidenced in his life? All this before he knew Christ!
v3-4a	Called by name. Notice how similar his response is to that of Saul 9:5
What does his tell us about how well God knows us? How does this affect our daily living?
v4b	What does this tell us of God answering prayer?
v5-6 	Notice the clear directions given (better than sat-nav).
v7-8	Cornelius was immediately obedient - -what would we have done?
Two servants and a devout soldier were called by him –what does this tell you about Cornelius?     What did he tell them?  This man was ready to follow the Lord implicitly.

GOD SPEAKS TO PETER –v 9-16
v9 	Another pray’er.  Do we expect or leave time for God to speak to us in prayer?
Watch carefully as you see God changes the mind of Peter, before He can use him.
v11-16	See what Paul says in Romans 10v1-4.
Look up Leviticus 11:25-29 –to see what troubles Peter with God’s command.
See Mark 7:18-19 for the words of Jesus (now under the New Covenant).
Does God still speak in these ways (v3 and v10)? How does He guide us, now?
Do we have traditions and customs that have built up over the years? What are they?
Are we concerned that these may put people off from coming to church –or from Christ?

GOD’S BLIND DATE –v 17-23
v17	With these words (v13) ringing in Peter’s ears something is happening downstairs. 
He is left wondering (v17 and v19). What will Peter say and what will he do?	
v18-20	God speaks again to Peter –but note he is not told about who the men are. However, he is told to go with them. Why should he go with them? (v20)
v21	Peter is ready to talk to them. Is he willing to hear their message?
v22-23	Double surprise here. He invites them in for lodging – then the next day goes willingly with them. A hard step for him to take, yet he trusted and acted.
How has Peter’s attitude changed (v14 to v23)?

Sometimes the right reaction is ‘Ill go away and pray about it’. When would that be wrong?
Instead of an escape clause –perhaps at times we should ‘trust and obey’.
As a conclusion read - Ephesians 2:14-18 (praise the Lord!)

												DJ
PRAYER POINTS:
Pray that we may not treat anyone as ‘common’ or ‘unclean’. Pray that we may have grace 
to love all equally –and thus reach them with the gospel. 
Surrey Sketchers – meeting Tuesdays and Fridays
Surrey Smarties –toddler group.