"Having called together his relatives." This is the mark of a truly pious friend: Cornelius, being surrounded by so many blessings, makes everyone partakers and close friends. They are called close friends because he could rely on them when he faced labors and cares over so many subordinates. Both friends and relatives, it seems to me, were nourished by his food. See how Cornelius was confident that Peter would certainly come. This is because the Angel appeared to him not in a dream, but while he was in a state of wakefulness and during the day.
"But Peter raised him up, saying: stand up; I too am a man." By this he instructs the others as well and offers thanksgiving to God, showing his humility. Look: before everything else he teaches them not to think highly of themselves at all.
Acts 10:28–33. And he said to them: You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or approach a foreigner; but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection when I was sent for. So I ask: for what reason have you summoned me? Cornelius said: Four days ago I was fasting until this present hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said: "Cornelius! Your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God. Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon the tanner by the sea; he will come and speak to you." Immediately I sent for you, and you have done well to come. Now then, we are all present before God to hear all that has been commanded you by God.
He discusses the love of God for mankind and shows that God granted them great gifts, and at the same time speaks of something great, yet speaks with humility. Because he did not say: "People! We have come to you, though we consider it unworthy to associate with anyone," but said: "You know that God pronounced such a commandment that it was considered unlawful 'for a Jew to associate with or approach a foreigner; but God revealed to me that I should not call any person common or unclean.'"
It is remarkable that God Himself commanded the Christian people that they "should not call any man common or unclean," but should live with them, because they too, perhaps, would believe in Christ with particular fervor.
"So I ask: for what purpose have you summoned me?" Peter had already heard everything from the soldiers, but he desired that they confess and become upright in the faith.
"At the ninth hour I was praying in my house." What does this mean? It seems to me that, with the most careful order in his life, his time was distributed, and moreover on certain days, which is why he said: "four days ago." See how powerful prayer is. When he was advancing in the matter of piety, then the Angel appeared to him—that is one day; when those sent by Cornelius set out, that is also one; when they were traveling—one, and the fourth turns out to be from the third hour, when he was praying.
"A man stood before me in bright clothing." He does not say "an angel," but "a man." So far is he from pride. You see the thought that flows from this; you see how he was worthy of all this.
"Now we are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee from God." He did not say "before man," but "before God." Therefore, one must listen attentively to the servants of God.
Acts 10:34–43. Peter opened his mouth and said: Truly I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him. He sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ; He is Lord of all. You know what took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: 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 of all that He did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, and that in the end they killed Him, hanging Him on a tree. This one God raised on the third day, and granted Him to appear not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God, to us, who ate and drank with Him after His resurrection from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
"Truly I perceive…" I perceive that God does not look at the quality of a person's face, but at the distinction 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 also gave alms — that this God is truly God. He lacked knowledge of the Son. See how he does not allow his thought to become exalted.
"In every nation." He says this so that you would not think that the Gentiles belong to the category of the rejected.
"He who works righteousness is acceptable to Him." The expression "righteousness" is used in place of "with every virtue." He did not say "is saved," but "is acceptable to Him," that is, worthy of being accepted by God.
"He sent the word to the sons of Israel." He gives preference to the sons of Israel. He says this for the sake of those present, in order to persuade them.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." This is understood in terms of His humanity. Since He emptied Himself and took on our flesh and our blood (cf. Heb. 2:14), it is said of Him that as man He receives what He possesses by nature as God. For He receives not for Himself, but for us, as in the beginning He did this for Himself, or rather, since He is God the Word, this was His own. The expression "oppressed by the devil" points to the many injuries dependent on the devil and the damage in bodies caused by him.
"They killed Him, hanging Him on a tree." Again he speaks of the humiliation. Having shown that He was sent by God, the apostle Peter says that He was also killed. Lest you consider anything inconsistent, note that they never conceal the teaching about the cross, but along with everything else they also present the manner of death.
"Witnesses… chosen before." Although Jesus Christ Himself chose them, the expression "chosen before" he ascribes to God the Father.
"Who ate and drank with Him." Look at how he confirms the truth of the resurrection. Why did Jesus Christ, after rising, not perform any miracle, but ate and drank? Because the resurrection itself was a great miracle. Moreover, there is not and could not be in this case a greater miracle than that He ate and drank.
"And to testify." To testify, he says, clearly, so that they would not fall into ignorance.
"All the prophets bear witness about Him." Whatever prophets spoke about the remission of sins, they all said that sins are forgiven in this Jesus. Thus Isaiah also speaks in His person: "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins" (Isa. 43:25). Peter, however, did not say that He is the Son of God, but rather what frightened them more — the preparation suited to the occasion is drawn from the prophets, because they enjoyed great renown. But having shaken the people with fear, he grants them a concession, one uttered not by him but by the prophets. Thus the fearful things he speaks on his own behalf, while that which is filled with gentleness — on behalf of the prophets.
Acts 10:44–48. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even upon the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter said: "Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded 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 brought to completion or for baptism to be performed by Peter's order; but as soon as He saw that their minds were filled with amazement and a beginning of instruction had been laid, and they fully believed that baptism is the remission of sins, then the Spirit descended. Moreover, they began to speak in various tongues, which amazed those gathered. Meanwhile, God was arranging in advance a great defense for Peter in this matter.
"Who can forbid water for baptizing these who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And what need was there for water, when the Holy Spirit had descended upon them? So I will show it and explain to you this hidden mystery. In it the Divine symbols are fully expressed: the tomb and dying, resurrection and life. Just as it is easy for us to be immersed and to emerge, so it is easy for God to bury the old man and to reveal the new. And this happens three times so that you may 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 merely a simple conjecture, 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 have been united with Him in the likeness of His death" (Rom. 6:5).