May 26th
The
Gentiles are blessed
34: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of
a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35: But in every nation
he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36: The
word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus
Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37: That word, I say, ye know, which was published
throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John
preached; 38: 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. 39: 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: 40: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41: Not
to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did
eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42: 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. 43: To him give all the prophets witness,
that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of
sins.
The
Gentiles filled with Holy Spirit
44: While Peter yet spake these words, the
Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45: 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.
46: For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter, 47: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48: And he commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The stage is set (or should l say pulpit.)
for Peter to preach the Gospel to Cornelius. Firstly Peter says that now he
understands that God has no prejudice on the basis of race, because in every
nation he that fears God and lives righteously is accepted with him. In other
words Gentiles who live according to the spirit of the Mosaic Law are just as
acceptable as Jews in the flesh. Then Peter goes on to tell Cornelius that God
sent his word to the children of Israel through the preaching of peace by Jesus
Christ. That Gospel of peace was preached throughout all Judea and Galilee you
know. It followed the preaching John the Baptist. That message was that Jesus
of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power to go about
doing good and healing all that were possessed. Then Peter said, we are
witnesses of all these things which he did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But the
people of Jerusalem crucified him, but God raised him from the dead on the
third day and shewed him openly to us who were appointed to be witnesses of the
resurrection. We ate and drank with him after he had risen from the dead. Jesus
of Nazareth commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he has
been ordained to be the Judge of the living and the dead. Cornelius had heard
of John and Christ’s life, ministry and death but they had never heard of his
resurrection. The OT prophets testified that through his name whosoever
believes in him will receive remission of sins. While Peter spoke these words
the assembled company believed in Christ’s resurrection and the Holy Spirit
came upon them. The Jews that were there were astonished, that the Holy Spirit
came on Gentiles. Those that believed testified in languages given to them by
the Holy Spirit to those Gentiles who were unconvinced. Peter took charge and asked
if anyone could deny baptism? So he ordered them to be baptised in the name of
the Lord. Peter stayed a while with them.
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