Acts 10:34 says, Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Having been told why Cornelius sent for him, Peter began to speak, stating that he now understood that God is no respecter of people. We must truly accept this fact today if we are going to effectively reach people with the gospel. Verse thirty-five adds, But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Peter said people of any nation who believed in God, which meant that they accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and worked righteousness is accepted to God. I don’t believe that he meant we must work to be righteous, but that our righteousness trough faith in Jesus Christ will lead us to good works for God. Verse thirty-six continues, The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Peter spoke of the word that was sent by God to the children of Israel preaching the peace of Jesus Christ, Who is Lord of all. The only way to peace with God and even with other people is through faith in Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord. Verse thirty-seven states, That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; Peter said this word was preached throughout Judea beginning in Galilee with the baptism which John preached. John’s baptism was by faith in the coming Messiah, Jesus. Verse thirty-eight adds, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Peter then told Cornelius of the good works that Jesus did, because He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power. If we want to do good works today, we need to be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Verse thirty-nine continues, And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Peter said that they, the disciples, were witnesses to all that Jesus did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, including His crucifixion. Though we did not personally crucify Jesus then, we are still guilty because He died for our sins. Verse forty declares, Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Jesus arose from the grave and was seen openly. This was the good news then and it still is today. Verse forty-one adds, Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Peter said that Jesus wasn’t seen by everyone after His resurrection, but by witnesses that were chosen. This included the disciples, who not only saw Him, but ate and drank with Him. Verse forty-two continues, 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 of quick and dead We may not have physically seen Jesus as He lived, died; and rose again, but once we are called to and accept salvation through Him, we are a part of those who are commissioned to proclaim Him to the world. We also must acknowledge that He will one day judge everyone. Verse forty-three states, To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Peter said that all the prophets pointed to Jesus, the One Who will forgive the sins of all who put their faith in Him. Through Jesus Christ alone can we find remission for our sins. Verse forty-four adds, While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the word. I believe this means all who accepted the truth of the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord and not just everyone who heard the word. Once we accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells us. Verse forty-five continues, And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Jews were astounded because the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles as well, even though this was what Peter had just been explaining. We should not be amazed when what is proclaimed by God’s word comes to pass. Verse forty-six says, For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, They knew that the Gentiles were filled with the Holy Spirit because they began to speak in tongues, or I believe other languages, and magnify God. They weren’t just calling attention to themselves but were witnessing of and glorifying God. Verse forty-seven adds, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? They asked if anyone could forbid these Gentiles from being baptized, since they had received the Holy Spirit just as the Jewish believers had. We should never believe that certain people cannot be saved. Verse forty-nine concludes, And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Peter commanded that these new believers be baptized, and they asked him to stay with them for a while. Of course, they should have known that what Peter did next would be up to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I will summarize and bring to an end the encounter between Peter and Cornelius. We know God spoke to Peter in a vision while Peter was in prayer. We know Peter stood on his own righteousness at first, telling God he had never eaten anything unclean, so the vision appeared three times before Peter began to question what God was telling him. Sometimes, God has to get past our self-righteousness to get us to see the truth. We know that Cornelius, a non-Jew, who was known for his dedication to God, evidenced by the way he lived, had a vision from God. He was to send for Peter, and he obeyed. Cornelius was quicker to obey God than Peter was, but God was at work in both lives. I believe God is at work today preparing the heart of people all around to receive His word. When Peter and Cornelius got together, there was God in the midst of them. If we get together with a person God sends us to today, He will be in the midst of us. Cornelius was a good man, but he needed Christ as his Savior. Peter was a follower of Christ, but he needed to learn the full implication of the gospel- that it was for everyone, not just a select group. When they both understood what God was telling them, the Holy Ghost fell on the group of Gentiles who believed. The Jews were astounded. Then, Peter asked in verse 47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we." (KJV) They were baptized and became a part of God's family, just as much as any Jew who had accepted Christ. We are all equal in the eyes of God and we should live accordingly. Peter didn't just baptize them and then leave their company immediately. He tarried with them certain days. Peter had come to understand the inclusive nature of the sacrifice of Christ. We today need that understanding even more. The world is calling more and more for division and hatred, and unfortunately many Christians seem to be doing the same. We can never afford to forget that God is no respecter of persons.
As we summarize and bring to an end the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, we will conclude Acts 10. We know God spoke to Peter in a vision while Peter was in prayer. We know Peter stood on his own righteousness at first, telling God he had never eaten anything unclean, so the vision appeared three times before Peter began to question what God was telling him. Sometimes, God has to get past our self-righteousness to get us to see the truth. We know that Cornelius, a non Jew, who was known for his dedication to God, evidenced by the way he lived, had a vision from God. He was to send for Peter, and he obeyed. Cornelius was quicker to obey God than Peter was, but God was at work in both lives. I believe God is at work today preparing the heart of people all around to receive His word. When Peter and Cornelius got together, there was God in the midst of them. If we get together with a person God sends us to today, He will be in the midst of us. Cornelius was a good man, but he needed Christ as his Savior. Peter was a follower of Christ, but he needed to learn the full implication of the gospel- that it was for every one, not just a select group. When they both understood what God was telling them, the Holy Ghost fell on the group of Gentiles who believed. The Jews were astounded. Then, Peter asked in verse 47, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we." (KJV) They were baptized and became a part of God's family, just as much as any Jew who had accepted Christ. We are all equal in the eyes of God and we should live accordingly. Peter didn't just baptize them and then leave their company immediately. He tarried with them certain days. Peter had come to understand the inclusive nature of the sacrifice of Christ. We today need that understanding even more. The world is calling more and more for division and hatred, and unfortunately many Christians seem to be doing the same. We can never afford to forget that God is no respecter of persons.
No comments:
Post a Comment