2. The Message that Changed the World Acts

3. To the Jew First…. Romans 1:16 Pure Jew by Race Part Jew by Race (Samaritans) Jew by Religion (Proselyte)

4. And Also to the Greek… Romans 1:16 God’s Mystery “to be specific that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” - Eph 3:6

5. But Gentiles Receiving the Word Created Quite A Problem! Jewish Christians Took Issue with Peter “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Acts 11:1-3

6. Cornelius was a “God-fearer” The term "God Fearer" or "one who fears God" was a term that was used to describe the Gentile who believed in the one true God and denied the idols and foreign gods of the Gentile world. They represented a group of Gentiles who shared religious ideas with Jews, to one degree or another. However, they were not converts, but a separate Gentile community, engaged in Jewish religious ideas and practices.

7. Jewish Contact With Gentiles though they allowed of trade and commerce with the Gentiles, yet not any familiar conversation with them; it was prohibited to eat and drink any sort of liquor with them in their houses, nor might they walk with them in the streets, or on the road; says Maimonides (Talmud expert)

8. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Excluded to Included Peter’s Argument in “Orderly Sequence” Acts 11:4ff 1 Peter’s vision: Told 3x to Eat Unclean Food vs. 5-10 2 3 (unclean) men appeared vs. 11; cp. 10:28-29 3 Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings vs. 12 4 Cornelius’ report of his vision of an angel vs. 13-14 5 Holy Spirit fell on Gentiles as on Jews vs. 15-17; 10:47-11:1 Reaction of Jewish Christians: quieted down, glorified God, concluding that God would save Gentiles vs. 18

9. From Excluded to Included Ephesians 2 Separate from Christ 12 Excluded from Israel 12 Strangers 12 No Hope 12 Without God 12 Far Off 13 Access to Father 18 Fellow-citizens 19 No longer strangers 19 Reconciled, peace 16-17 Of God’s household 19 Brought Near 14

10. From Excluded to Included Ephesians 2 One New Man 15 One Body 16 One Holy Temple 20-22

11. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved A Contrast with the Conversion of Saul Saul: no one is too bad to be saved Cornelius: no one is good enough not to need salvation

12. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved What Kind of Man Was Cornelius? Acts 10 Devout 2 Feared God 2, 22 Led his household to fear God 2 Gave many alms to the Jewish people 2,4 Prayed to God continually 2,4 Righteous 22 Good reputation among entire nation 22

13. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved What Kind of Man Was Cornelius? A LOST SINNER! Acts 11:14

14. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved All of This Could Not Atone For Cornelius’ Sins! Devout 2 Feared God 2, 22 Led his household to fear God 2 Gave many alms to the Jewish people 2,4 Prayed to God continually 2,4 Righteous 22 Good reputation among entire nation 22

15. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved “Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know, these for sin could not atone, Thou must save, and Thou alone; In my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.” - A.M. Toplady (“Rock of Ages)

16. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved Words By Which You Will Be Saved; God’s Power to Salvation to the Jew first- also to the Greek Acts 11:14; Rom 1:16 “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ… Acts 10:36-43

17. The Message that Changed the World: Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved Gospel Must be Received By the Sinner Acts 10:47-11:1 Baptism is the time -of acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice, -of forgiveness -of transition from sinner to saved

18. Will You Receive the Gospel? You need salvation; no one can be “good enough” Do you believe in Jesus? 10:43 Are you willing to repent of your sins? 11:18 Will you obey Jesus’ order to be baptized? 10:48

19. Will You Receive the Gospel? Let the gospel that changed the world- that changed Cornelius- changed you from sinner to saved today!