Joppa was Jewish - it was close to where the gospel action had been taking place. Caesarea was outside of these boundaries. Peter has no thought of taking the gospel to the Gentiles at this stage, because it would be out of God's boundaries as he saw them. God was about to change this.
For Peter to be changed required divine intervention - of God saying "go". We ought to be thankful for Peter's obedience.
Both Peter & Cornelius learned new things about God. For Peter, it was that God is for the Gentiles. They are not unclean. For Cornelius, it is the working of God in everyday life (at this stage). Both had to lose prejudice to be receptive to God.
Peter had to learn God does not show favouritism, but accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. For the work to develop, Peter had to learn this.
Peter uses the fact of the Jews killing Jesus to awaken their conscience. Here, Peter talks of this & links it to them, but says they were witnesses of all that had happened and that God would judge all people. He had tailored his address to be more specifically appropriate to Gentiles.
Salvation came to Cornelius' household - he had been devout & God-fearing before. He now received salvation and the Holy Spirit.
Peter emphasises the work of the Spirit in telling him about Cornelius, but also in coming on him and his family.
When the Gentiles heard Peter's message, they were saved - the Holy Spirit came on them. When the circumcision party heard this, they rejoiced and Peter had seen God's work and wanted to be part of it.
The temptation for us is to put up barriers that stop people coming to Jesus - God tears them down. All are invited & must come.
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