Godbey's Commentary - Acts - Romans - Enter His Rest

included with it.] In this distribution he gave Ham, Africa; Shem, Asia; and Japheth, Europe. In
Hebrew, Ham means black, hence he became the ancestor of the black races. Shem means red,
therefore he became the ancestor of the Mongolian races of Asia, from whom the American Indians
also came, doubtless having crossed Behring Strait from Asia into America at an early day. Japheth
means white, hence he became the ancestor of all the white races of Europe, who, in the last four
hundred years, have spread out over the continent of America, pursuant to God’s promise to Noah
(Genesis 9:27): “God shall enlarge Japheth and shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and
Canaan [Ham] shall be his servant.”
This prophecy is now literally fulfilled in America, where the white man, Japheth, dwells in the
tents of Shem [the Indians], and Ham [the colored people] is his servant. Hence you see the
persistency of the triple gospel proclamation symbolized by the three repetitions of Jehovah’s call
in this vision, forcefully indicative of the world’s triple evangelism as we carry the gospel to the
children of the dark continent, to the Mongolian millions of Asia, and to all the white races of
Europe and America.
17-23. Meanwhile Peter, wrapped in heavenly bewilderment, is contemplating the astounding
vision and electrified by Jehovah’s voice. Cornelius’s messengers having arrived, and hunted around
through the city for the house of Simon the tanner, and standing before the gate, are now
interrogating some member of the family whom they had called out, “Is Simon, called Peter, lodging
here?” When Peter hears the voice calling his own name, the Spirit immediately speaks to him,
ordering him to go down without delay and depart with them, responsive to the call of Cornelius,
assuring him that they are sent of God.
24. As this is a new departure in the divine economy, Peter very prudently takes with him six holy
brethren from Joppa to serve as witnesses of the important transactions pending. Meanwhile
Cornelius, knowing the time necessary for pedestrians to make the round trip, has assembled his
holiness band in mid afternoon of the fourth day, all holding on to God in prayer, that he may bring
on the noted apostolic senior in the fullness of Christ.
25. “And it came to pass when Peter was coming in, Cornelius meeting him, falling at his feet,
worshipped.” E.V. erroneously says “worshipped him.” Cornelius was no idolater. He did not
worship Peter, but God. When I arrive at my preaching place responsive to a brother’s call, I am
always glad on meeting him to drop on my knees and unite with him at a throne of grace, thus
invoking God to sanctify our introduction and bless the work.
26. Cornelius, of course, paid to Peter the Oriental civility due a person of distinction, which here
Peter modestly declines, having profited by the vision, which revealed to him for the first time in his
life that a Jew is no better than a Gentile.
27-38. Peter now enters, and Cornelius introduces him to his holiness band, who are so delighted
with a visit by the senior apostle. He now proceeds to give them the benefit of the heavenly sunburst
he had received at Joppa, shining away all the clouds which, in Jewish vision, had hung over the
Gentile world from the days of Abraham, assuring them of their glorious privileges and equal rights