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.
- What is the first conclusion that Peter had come to?
- What does Peter preach to Cornelius?
- What happened to Cornelius and his family?
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