Lesson 9 for August 29, 2015

“Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:9-11) Just ten days after Jesus’ Great Commission, the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to preach Jesus before an audience of Jewish people from all over the world. Peter’s speech was simple, clear and convincing. The prophecies were being fulfilled (Acts 2:16-21). The Scriptures predicted Jesus’ exemplary life and His miracles. He was resurrected and exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:22-36). Thanks to His death, our sins are forgiven through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:37-39).

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, 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) A Jew would hardly preach to an uncircumcised man, so God had to intervene in an extraordinary manner. God sent an angel so salvation could come to Cornelius’ home. The angel didn’t preach the Gospel to Cornelius; he got him in touch with the Church. God wants us to spread the Gospel; that’s not the angels’ mission.

“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.’” (Acts 10:34-35) Cornelius was eager to better understand God’s will, so he obeyed the angel and sent some people to find Peter at Joppa (50 Km or 31 miles to the south of Caesarea). He accepted the Gospel, so God sent the Holy Spirit upon Gentiles for the first time. That shook Peter’s and the other Jews’ minds. God has people who love Him in every place and religion. He wants us to proclaim the good news of salvation to them. Cornelius was willing to worship Peter (Acts 10:25), so he obviously needed to understand salvation in a deeper way (Acts 11:14).

“And a voice spoke to him again the second time, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’” (Acts 10:15)  The sheet bound at the four corners. The Earth.  The four-footed animals, creeping things and birds of the air. Non-Jewish inhabitants, the Gentiles.  Rise, Peter; kill and eat. “Arise therefore, go down and go with them [the Gentiles], doubting nothing.” (Acts 10:20).  What God has cleansed you must not call common. “God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” (Acts 10:28) God sent Peter a vision to break that cultural barrier down, so the Gospel could be preached to the Gentiles.

We can learn from this story that everyone is acceptable before God, but not every religion is. We cannot equate Jesus to any other “path to salvation.” There is only one way, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6). “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30) We must go to the people wherever they might be. We must also respect their beliefs and customs… And we must always show them a better way, the Way.

“The Gentiles, and especially the Greeks, were extremely licentious, and there was danger that some, unconverted in heart, would make a profession of faith without renouncing their evil practices. The Jewish Christians could not tolerate the immorality that was not even regarded as criminal by the heathen. The Jews therefore held it as highly proper that circumcision and the observance of the ceremonial law should be enjoined on the Gentile converts as a test of their sincerity and devotion. This, they believed, would prevent the addition to the church of those who, adopting the faith without true conversion of heart, might afterward bring reproach upon the cause by immorality and excess.” E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 19, pg. 192)

The argument about observing the Jewish laws could’ve been settled when Peter talked to the Church of Jerusalem in Acts 11:1-18. Nevertheless, when Paul began to extensively preach to the Gentiles, the problem got worse. A council was called so the Church could discuss that point (Acts 15:1-29). “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:28-29) The decree of the council provided a common platform where Jewish and Gentile Christians could coexist in fellowship. It set a pattern for the church to deal with issues and problems before they became too divisive.

“Because Cornelius was living in obedience to all the instruction he had received, God so ordered events that he was given more truth… There are in our world many who are nearer the kingdom of God than we suppose. In this dark world of sin the Lord has many precious jewels, to whom He will guide His messengers. Everywhere there are those who will take their stand for Christ. Many will prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage, and will become faithful light bearers. Constrained by the love of Christ, they will constrain others to come to Him.” E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 14, pg. 140)