Eyewitnesses

Pete Kersker - Jun 11, 2026

Simon Peter, as we saw last week, was convinced that Jesus wanted Gentiles (non-Jews) in His Church. Christ's offer to provide forgiveness for our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit would be available to everyone. Peter, convinced of this leading from God, started to tell the rest of the disciples (students) about the vision he saw.

"Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them'” (Acts 11:11-12a NIV).

The men who came to get Peter were Gentiles (non-Jews) from the house of Cornelius. Jewish tradition would have instructed Peter not to associate with these men and definitely not go inside their house. The vision Peter received from God, though, cleared Peter's conscience about this. These "unclean" people were being made "clean" by God.

"These six (Jewish) brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house'” (Acts 11:12b NIV).

Peter went on to explain that he was not the only one who went. Six more Jewish brothers went with him to the house of Cornelius. They may have gone just because they trusted Peter's vision and direction from God. The result, though, was that there were seven Jewish eyewitnesses for what would come next: Cornelius would tell them that he, too, received a message from God.

"He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved'” (Acts 11:11-14 NIV).

Have you ever followed someone because you were convinced they were being led by God?
What happened? Did you see God at work because you went with that person?