Perplexity to Purpose / Acts 10:11-23

Do not hastily ascribe things to God Do not hastily ascribe things to God. Do not easily suppose dreams, voices, impressions, visions or revelations to be from God. They may be from Him. They may be from nature. They may be from the Devil. - John Wesley

Perplexity to Purpose / Acts 10:11-23

The Word Any knowledge, concept, feeling or experience that does not submit itself first to the biblical will of God is incongruent with Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

The Word 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Key Point #1 The Word of God reveals the will of God

The Circumstances 17 ¶ Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

Key Point #2 God reorders our circumstances to affirm his will and disaffirm our will.

The Spirit 19 ¶ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Key Point #3 The Spirit of God recites the will of God to our conscience

The Accountability 21 ¶ Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 ¶ And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Key Point #4 God’s spiritual agents reroute us, rally us and remind us of God’s words

Pro 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Pro 27:6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful. Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Our Choice He had a command from God. He had a door knocking downstairs calling him to obey. He had the conviction of the Spirit urging him to obey. He had messengers sent by God beseeching him to obey.

Our Choice He had a command from God. He had a door knocking downstairs calling him to obey. He had the conviction of the Spirit urging him to obey. He had messengers sent by God beseeching him to obey. HE HAD A CHOICE

Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Key Point #5 Our actions reveal the nature of our faith.

Our Choice Acts 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.