In the previous lesson, we learned that Cornelius was ... a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. (Acts 10:1-2) In a vision, an angel of God spoke to Him and said, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” (Acts 10:4-6)
Soon after, God also spoke to Peter through a vision ...and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. (Acts 10:9-16) We must keep in mind that this is the first time that a "Gentile" would be witnessed to. (see ACTS: Cornelius, a Gentile Who Feared God, Sends for Peter!)
As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. (Acts 10:25-29) So now we understand the vision of the animals, ...the mystery ..., which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, (Ephesians 3:3-6)
"I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” (Acts 10:29-33)
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— (Acts 10:34-36) This is very important, and it is the Truth! ...God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (I Timothy 2:3-6)
Peter continued, "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:37-43; see all "THE GOSPELS")
Peter summarized the gospel message perfectly in the above few sentences. We don't have to add to it or take away from it. If we would just put these words in our hearts and share them with all that we come in contact with, then we too will lead others to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, no matter who they are or where they're from. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. (Acts 10:44-48)
We must remember two very important facts, based on the above scriptures: baptism doesn't save us, it's just an outward showing of a spiritual rebirth that has taken place inside of us. Believing the Word of God, in Christ Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit is how we are saved. Remember Jesus told Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8; see THE GOSPEL: Born Again! How?)
Secondly, when we first studied tongues, we learned that the purpose of tongues was for the apostles and disciples to preach the gospel to people from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude [of people] came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:5-6; see ACTS: Tongues and Its Purpose, Spreading the Gospel and the Church) So why were Cornelius and all his relative and close friends speaking with tongues and magnify God, after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit? Jesus had explained to the disciples, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;..." (Mark 16:17)
We must keep in mind that this was the first recorded time that a Gentile was witnessed to and believed; And those of the circumcision [Jews] who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles [non-Jews] also. God spoke through Paul, In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” [Isaiah 28:11-12] says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;... (I Corinthians 14:21-22) God allowed these new Gentile converts to speak in tongues for a sign, to help Peter and those with him in their astonishment and possible unbelief.
For many of us, it's one thing to say we believe something and tell it to others, but many times we aren't really convinced. Peter did what God commanded him to do, but this was still the first time he had done anything like this. Remember he said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. The apostles and disciples had also heard Jesus say, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Whoever believes, but now the the mystery has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs. What better confirmation from God than to let the Gentiles speak in tongues just as the apostles and disciples had, when they had also received the Holy Spirit? Whether this happens to each of us or not when we believe is debatable, because there are many gifts of the Spirit. (I Corinthians 12) But it was very important to God to allow it to happen when the Gentiles believed, for the benefit of His holy apostles and prophets!
We must remember two very important facts, based on the above scriptures: baptism doesn't save us, it's just an outward showing of a spiritual rebirth that has taken place inside of us. Believing the Word of God, in Christ Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit is how we are saved. Remember Jesus told Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8; see THE GOSPEL: Born Again! How?)
Secondly, when we first studied tongues, we learned that the purpose of tongues was for the apostles and disciples to preach the gospel to people from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude [of people] came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:5-6; see ACTS: Tongues and Its Purpose, Spreading the Gospel and the Church) So why were Cornelius and all his relative and close friends speaking with tongues and magnify God, after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit? Jesus had explained to the disciples, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;..." (Mark 16:17)
We must keep in mind that this was the first recorded time that a Gentile was witnessed to and believed; And those of the circumcision [Jews] who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles [non-Jews] also. God spoke through Paul, In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” [Isaiah 28:11-12] says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;... (I Corinthians 14:21-22) God allowed these new Gentile converts to speak in tongues for a sign, to help Peter and those with him in their astonishment and possible unbelief.
For many of us, it's one thing to say we believe something and tell it to others, but many times we aren't really convinced. Peter did what God commanded him to do, but this was still the first time he had done anything like this. Remember he said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. The apostles and disciples had also heard Jesus say, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Whoever believes, but now the the mystery has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs. What better confirmation from God than to let the Gentiles speak in tongues just as the apostles and disciples had, when they had also received the Holy Spirit? Whether this happens to each of us or not when we believe is debatable, because there are many gifts of the Spirit. (I Corinthians 12) But it was very important to God to allow it to happen when the Gentiles believed, for the benefit of His holy apostles and prophets!
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