The First Gentile Church
The First Gentile Church
God is on the move to accomplish all that he destined to do to save men and women from our sins. The promise of the Father which is the thesis of the Book of Acts is being fulfilled on a day basis. Let’s remind ourselves of this promise of God to live in us. 17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18. We have seen this promise fulfilled among the Jews in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. We also learned about the baptism of the Ethiopian who was going to take the gospel to Africa. Now God is going to open the door to the rest of the Gentile world through the ministry of Apostle Peter. We will see later that the ministry to the Gentiles would be spearheaded by Apostle Paul while Peter focuses on the Jews.
Cornelius, a God fearing gentile is visited by God through an angel. Through the obedience Cornelius and Apostle Peter many would come to believe in the savior Jesus Christ and the first Gentile Church will be born. God sees every act of faith and obedience towards Him and shows us mercy accordingly. Apostle Peter would be stretched today beyond is usual “box” to embrace the gentiles. Are you willing to be stretched beyond your prejudices, tradition and comfort zone for the purposes of God?
Acts 10: 1-8 (Please read the entire chapter 10)
1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." 7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Cornelius was a Roman soldier of high rank and was stationed in Caesarea. Our worldly accomplishment should not diminish our love for God. “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing”. Cornelius was also a generous man caring for the poor. Above all he was in communion with God through prayer. Likewise, Peter was also praying when God spoke to him vs. 9. God will show us things when we are in touch with Him and we will recognize God’s voice because we are in constant relationship with Him. God is not interested in “drive-by” or "one-night-stand” relationships. In this account, God has come to dwell in Cornelius through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
2. Cornelius was not Jewish but a Gentile. He believed in the God of the Jews. When the Scripture says he was “God-fearing”, it was not just any God but the true and only God. There were so many gods to worship in his day but he chose to fear the God of Israel. Many today are worshipping all kinds of gods and not the living God. We must be mindful of the gods (money, fame, job etc) around us that people are worshipping.
3. All our prayers and acts of love are noticed by God and he will reward accordingly vs.4. God heard Cornelius prayers and noted his help to the poor. Galatians 6:7-10 tells us that whatever we sow, we shall reap and we are never to give up doing good deeds.
4. God was also working on Peter. Just because we have come to believe in Jesus does not mean that all our prejudices are gone. Peter said to Cornelius, "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection vs. 28. God will dismantle our prejudice not just once but on-going as part of the process of our sanctification (making us like Christ). Paul had to confront Peter again on this issue (Galatians 2:11-13). Do you have any prejudices or traditions you have inherited from birth? I have some and I am praying that like Peter, I will lay them aside for the glory of God. In Acts 11, Peter will get a ‘flag” from the Church leadership for visiting gentiles. Prejudice is real and we need the power of the Holy Spirit to deal with it.
5. Knowledge of Jesus is not enough to establish a relationship with God. Many people know about Jesus. Peter addressed Cornelius as such. “36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him vs.36-38. We need to remind people or tell them about Jesus for the first time. But it will take believing in Jesus that He is whom God said He is to produce faith in God. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Vs.43.
6. God shows no favoritism vs. 34 but will respect and judge our character. 44”While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God” Cornelius and his household have been filled with Holy Spirit because they believed the message and subsequently were baptized in water. This is a miracle and an out-pouring of grace. The Gentiles are now praising God in fulfillment of God’s promise to visit all people.
7. Notice that the Jewish believers traveling with Peter were “astonished” and could not believe what they saw. When God visits us or anyone else, at times it is hard to believe. Do you have a friend or loved one whom if God visited you will be astonished? Let’s pray for them right now and please fill in the names. Lord help Mr. X and Ms. Y know who you are and that you have sent Jesus to pay for their sins. Grant him/her faith in you.
8. Peter stayed for some time (vs.48) with Cornelius and his household to further disciple them. We are called to make disciples for Jesus and not just introduce them to Christ. Are you helping make someone a disciple of Christ or are you being discipled?
What is your prejudice or tradition that stands in the way for you to accomplish God’s purpose in your life? Lord, help us see all people as you see them and to love them as you have loved us. Help us to know and put in practice that all people are important to you regardless of their background. Amen. Reach out to someone outside of your “box” today!
God is on the move to accomplish all that he destined to do to save men and women from our sins. The promise of the Father which is the thesis of the Book of Acts is being fulfilled on a day basis. Let’s remind ourselves of this promise of God to live in us. 17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18. We have seen this promise fulfilled among the Jews in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. We also learned about the baptism of the Ethiopian who was going to take the gospel to Africa. Now God is going to open the door to the rest of the Gentile world through the ministry of Apostle Peter. We will see later that the ministry to the Gentiles would be spearheaded by Apostle Paul while Peter focuses on the Jews.
Cornelius, a God fearing gentile is visited by God through an angel. Through the obedience Cornelius and Apostle Peter many would come to believe in the savior Jesus Christ and the first Gentile Church will be born. God sees every act of faith and obedience towards Him and shows us mercy accordingly. Apostle Peter would be stretched today beyond is usual “box” to embrace the gentiles. Are you willing to be stretched beyond your prejudices, tradition and comfort zone for the purposes of God?
Acts 10: 1-8 (Please read the entire chapter 10)
1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." 7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Cornelius was a Roman soldier of high rank and was stationed in Caesarea. Our worldly accomplishment should not diminish our love for God. “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing”. Cornelius was also a generous man caring for the poor. Above all he was in communion with God through prayer. Likewise, Peter was also praying when God spoke to him vs. 9. God will show us things when we are in touch with Him and we will recognize God’s voice because we are in constant relationship with Him. God is not interested in “drive-by” or "one-night-stand” relationships. In this account, God has come to dwell in Cornelius through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
2. Cornelius was not Jewish but a Gentile. He believed in the God of the Jews. When the Scripture says he was “God-fearing”, it was not just any God but the true and only God. There were so many gods to worship in his day but he chose to fear the God of Israel. Many today are worshipping all kinds of gods and not the living God. We must be mindful of the gods (money, fame, job etc) around us that people are worshipping.
3. All our prayers and acts of love are noticed by God and he will reward accordingly vs.4. God heard Cornelius prayers and noted his help to the poor. Galatians 6:7-10 tells us that whatever we sow, we shall reap and we are never to give up doing good deeds.
4. God was also working on Peter. Just because we have come to believe in Jesus does not mean that all our prejudices are gone. Peter said to Cornelius, "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection vs. 28. God will dismantle our prejudice not just once but on-going as part of the process of our sanctification (making us like Christ). Paul had to confront Peter again on this issue (Galatians 2:11-13). Do you have any prejudices or traditions you have inherited from birth? I have some and I am praying that like Peter, I will lay them aside for the glory of God. In Acts 11, Peter will get a ‘flag” from the Church leadership for visiting gentiles. Prejudice is real and we need the power of the Holy Spirit to deal with it.
5. Knowledge of Jesus is not enough to establish a relationship with God. Many people know about Jesus. Peter addressed Cornelius as such. “36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him vs.36-38. We need to remind people or tell them about Jesus for the first time. But it will take believing in Jesus that He is whom God said He is to produce faith in God. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Vs.43.
6. God shows no favoritism vs. 34 but will respect and judge our character. 44”While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God” Cornelius and his household have been filled with Holy Spirit because they believed the message and subsequently were baptized in water. This is a miracle and an out-pouring of grace. The Gentiles are now praising God in fulfillment of God’s promise to visit all people.
7. Notice that the Jewish believers traveling with Peter were “astonished” and could not believe what they saw. When God visits us or anyone else, at times it is hard to believe. Do you have a friend or loved one whom if God visited you will be astonished? Let’s pray for them right now and please fill in the names. Lord help Mr. X and Ms. Y know who you are and that you have sent Jesus to pay for their sins. Grant him/her faith in you.
8. Peter stayed for some time (vs.48) with Cornelius and his household to further disciple them. We are called to make disciples for Jesus and not just introduce them to Christ. Are you helping make someone a disciple of Christ or are you being discipled?
What is your prejudice or tradition that stands in the way for you to accomplish God’s purpose in your life? Lord, help us see all people as you see them and to love them as you have loved us. Help us to know and put in practice that all people are important to you regardless of their background. Amen. Reach out to someone outside of your “box” today!
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