Acts 10

“There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,” Naming Cornelius and Italian keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him…” Naming Cornelius keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.” Naming Joppa keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray…” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,” The line’s distinctive content terms include became, eaten, fell. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” Naming Wherein keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” Naming Peter and Rise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.” Naming Not keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.” The line’s distinctive content terms include heaven, received, thrice. Its relationship to verses 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent…” Naming Cornelius and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.” Naming Peter and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa…” Naming Joppa and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and…” Naming Cornelius keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.” Naming Cornelius and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” Naming Peter and Stand keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.” The line’s distinctive content terms include talked. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.” Naming Cornelius keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include accepted, feareth, nation. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which…” Naming Galilee and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that…” Naming Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and…” Naming Jerusalem and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;” Naming Him keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he…” Naming Not keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles…” Naming Gentiles and Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.