" The ONLY Message That Saves "

 

Acts 10:22-43  "And they said, Cornelius the Centurion, a just man, and one that fears 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. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but GOD has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me ? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of GOD. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he comes, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before GOD, to hear all things that are commanded thee of GOD.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that GOD is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears HIM, and works righteousness, is accepted with HIM. The WORD which GOD sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by JESUS CHRIST: (HE is LORD of all:) That WORD, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 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. 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: HIM GOD raised up the third day, and showed HIM openly; 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. 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. To HIM give all the prophets witness, that through HIS name whosoever believes in HIM shall receive remission of sins."

     Cornelius was a religious and upright man (Acts 10:2 pictured above), but he was not yet saved because he had never heard the Gospel message, which alone can effect the new birth. The LORD made it plain to Cornelius that it was necessary for him to send men to Joppa to retrieve Peter, who would "tell[him] words" by which he and his household would be saved (Acts 11:13-14). This account sets before us the precedent-setting example of how lost sinners, Jew and Gentile alike, are saved in this church age. The Apostle Peter later declared at the Jerusalem Conference in reference to this event, "We shall be saved, even as they" (Acts 15:11 pictured below). It is vital, therefore, to clearly know this Gospel message of salvation whereby all men can be saved if they believe (Acts 10:6,33).

     Peter preached CHRIST unto them (v.36) -- HIS deity (vv.36-38), HIS crucifixion (v.39), HIS resurrection (vv.40-41), HIS future judgment (v.42), and HIS power to save all who would believe (v.43). That is the Gospel ! When they heard the message of salvation and were individually convicted by the HOLY SPIRIT to understand and receive its truth, they were born again by the power of GOD; the moment they trusted CHRIST as their SAVIOR, they received the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT (v.44). Because of these blessed realities, they "[magnified] GOD" with tongues of praise, which, even though they were Gentiles, they spoke in the Hebrew tongue (vv.45-46). This SPIRIT-wrought manifestation was comparable to what had happened to the Jews at Pentecost. Obviously the Gentiles were now included in GOD's plan of salvation as well -- they heard, they believed, and they received the only message that saves. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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