Context and Preview of Text
Cornelius was a Centurion who lived in Caesarea. He was a good man. Generous to the poor. Prayed regularly to God. Was highly respected by the Jewish people.
One afternoon Cornelius had a vision. The apostle Peter had a vision too at about the same time. And in this vision the Lord essentially addressed Peter’s apprehensions about reaching out to Gentiles with the gospel.
Cornelius sent men to ask Peter to come to his home. Peter obliged them.
Text: Acts 10:24-43 (NIV)
Vs. 34 – “God doesn’t show favoritism”
- When it comes to the gospel, Galatians 3:28 there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female.
- Israel were His chosen people, but before the nation of Israel had come into existence God said of the man who would be the Father of the nation, “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him” (Genesis 18:18).
- His plan and desire was to bless all the nations of the world through Israel and the coming Messiah Jesus Christ. (See Isaiah 60:1-3 “…nations will come to your light.”)
Vs. 36 – “Good news of peace.”
- The motive and driving force behind the gospel is love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” The primary effect of the gospel is peace. It is called the gospel of peace here and in the book of Romans 10:15 and in Ephesian 6:15 to be exact.
- Peace with God; Peace with others; Peace within
Vs. 39 – “We are witnesses”
- Eyewitnesses – of his miracles and of his resurrection 41 “ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
- 2 Peter 1:16 (NIV) “We did not follow cleverly invented stories… but were eyewitnesses”
Vs. 43 – “Everyone who believes receives forgiveness.”
- In considering the story of Cornelius in the Bible, it is important to note that being religious is not enough to save a person. Cornelius was as devout as they come, yet he still needed to hear the gospel and respond to it positively.
Verses 39 and 40 are what Communion is all about. He allowed them to kill Him by hanging Him on a tree. But God raised Him from the dead.
- His death was our payment.
- His resurrection was our receipt from God.
- And the Holy Spirit is God’s down-payment, promising redemption when Christ returns.
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