BE LOVINGLY AND FAITHFULLY OBEDIENT TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
BE LOVINGLY AND FAITHFULLY OBEDIENT TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ —Acts 11:13-14
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. —Acts 10:1-5
Here is a Roman centurion, a soldier with responsibility over 100 men, a man with authority and he was also a man who feared God. Here’s a man who did not have a relationship with God, was not saved, but he was praying and giving alms— charitable donations. Not only did this man fear God, but his whole household did. This was a man that God was drawing to Himself (John 6:44). Who around us may God be doing so with?
We get some insight with Cornelius. God was already at work preparing this man to hear the gospel, not only this man, but his whole household! At the right time, the time that only our Lord knows, God sent an angel to Cornelius with instruction as to what to do next— He was to send for Joppa to bring back Simon Peter— “he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.”
Peter is story-telling to “the circumcision party” exactly what happened in Acts with Cornelius from chapter 10. He had been criticized by them for going to uncircumcised men and eating with them (10:3). So in Chapter 11 Peter recounted what happened to him and how the Lord communicated to him and also to Cornelius. “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life’” (Acts 11:18).
What joy that must have filled all the hearts of those in this salvation experience at Cornelius’ home and now of those who have heard testimony of it. Wow, to have the Lord guide the lost and save together so the lost can be saved! Yes, there was joy among them and also rejoicing in heaven! (Luke 15:7).
Dear Father who are You guiding me to that I might bring the gospel of salvation to them. Please help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit and go where You desire me to go and do so in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g02mOpdNDtY