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This significant chapter reveals the opening of the door
of faith to the Gentiles. The Church was already established, multiplying and
growing in Jerusalem, Judea, Galilee and Samaria (Acts 9:31) but the Gentile
world had not been reached. The Apostles and the evangelizing believers were
preaching the gospel everywhere but only to the Jews. “Now they which
were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled,
preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only” (Acts 11:19). Bound
by religious nationalism and tradition, they thought that the Gentiles could
not be saved except they were circumcised and kept the law of Moses (Acts
15:1,5). Though they had received the Holy Spirit who should “guide you
into all truth” (John 16:13), the voice of tradition drowned the voice
of the Spirit. They appeared to have
been ignorant of the many prophecies concerning the salvation of Gentiles. “And
in that day there shall be a root of Jesse; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and
his rest shall be glorious.” “I the LORD have called thee in
righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for
a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” “The
Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light and to them which
sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” “And
in His name shall the Gentiles trust.” “For mine eyes have
seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A
light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”
“And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, That the
residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My
name is called saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are
all His works from the beginning of the world.” “Be it
known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it” (Isaiah 11:10; 42:6; Matthew 4:15,16; 12:21;
Luke 2:30-32; Acts 15:15-18; 28:28).
Both
Cornelius and Peter were instructed by the Lord on what to do and they both
obeyed. Their obedience was prompt, exact and wholehearted. Neither of them
consulted with flesh and blood. None of their Jewish or Gentile brethren would
have encouraged implicit, unswerving obedience. Their obedience brought salvation
to many souls. Obedience to the heavenly vision will always demand
self-sacrifice, self-denial and self-forgetfulness. Being full of self, pride
and self-consciousness hinders obedience. Peter had to forsake tradition,
overcome Jewish prejudice, resist the fear of fellow Apostles, become dead to
public opinion and count earthly gain as loss in order to obey, go to a Gentile
household and preach to bring Gentiles into Christ’s Kingdom through the
divinely opened door of faith. Cornelius had to be submissive and self-effacing
to be obedient to the heavenly vision. The pride of his position in society,
the prejudice of Gentiles against Jews, the perverted perception of the public
concerning centurions were not allowed to hinder or delay his obedience to God. Obedience may cause us to lose fame, favour
or finance but it is the only right response to divine revelation.
Peter,
Cornelius and all who were gathered together were submissive to God and His
word. Peter was willing to speak “all the word” and the people
were willing to hear “all the word”. God’s purpose was to save
them, purify their hearts and baptize them with the Holy Ghost (Acts 11:14,15;
15:7-9; 10:44-46). Peter preached the Word faithfully and proclaimed Christ as
the Saviour through whom we have forgiveness, remission of sin, full redemption
and free and full salvation. His message was free of Jewish tradition and
religious dogma. Cultural elements, personal preferences and opinions had no
place in the straight-forward preaching of the gospel. The message emphasized
that “whosoever believeth” would receive the salvation provided
by Christ. “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.”
“Whosoever believeth” will receive all things provided by Christ
through His redemptive sacrifice at Calvary. And they all believed. So, they
were saved, sanctified, baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized in
water and “added to the Church”.
This message was amazing! It was very revelatory to me. Be blessed as you listen with an open heart.
-Charity
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