What did Peter have to admit about salvation for Gentiles at Cornelius's house?
Peter had to admit that God was indeed saving Gentiles without bringing them into contact with Judaism. Though he could not comprehend it, he acknowledged that God was saving Gentiles apart from Judaism at the house of Cornelius, carrying on the transition out of Judaism.
Les explains that God commissioned Peter to go up to the house of Cornelius. He notes that chapter 10 followed chapter 9 in content, not merely numerically, because it makes everything fit; had chapter 10's events taken place before Saul's conversion, he could not teach the way he teaches. Saul was converted in chapter 9 as the head of the long line of sinners saved by grace. Then God sends Peter to a Gentile house, Cornelius. Even though Peter could not comprehend it, he had to admit that God was indeed saving Gentiles without bringing them in contact with Judaism. That carries on the transition out of Judaism, where God had been dealing with Israel, and now He goes to the Gentiles. In chapter 11, Jewish believers chased out of Jerusalem by Saul's persecution reached Antioch, and God began generating interest among Gentiles for the first time.
More Questions
What did Peter say to Cornelius about a Jew associating with a Gentile?
Peter told Cornelius at the threshold of his house that it was unlawful for him, a Jew, to keep company with a Gentile, which illustrates how strong the Jew-Gentile separation was right before God turned to the Gentiles.
Why did Peter go to the house of Cornelius?
Peter went to Cornelius's house because God forced him to go, contrary to Peter's own desires.