What Is Necessary To Do For What God Has For You

Study: # 763- Church in the Houses From: April 2-8, 2013

Topic: “What Is Necessary To Do For What God Has For You” Acts 10:1-20 This man was chosen from Heaven for God to guide in his path. Cornelius was a centurion, a roman army official who was in charge of 100 soldiers (this is where the word centurion comes from). Even more noteworthy than his importance as a high ranking militant was his piety. In spite of not being a Jewish but rather a gentile, Cornelius was a man of mercy, reverent with God and who gave a great deal of charity to the impoverished Jewish people. This self-denying man prayed to God continuously. Cornelius believed in the God of Judaism, well he had not heard yet the preaching of the gospel, so he still had not taken a step to convert to Christ. But, although he didn’t found or received Jesus in his path, Jesus did indeed find him and was preparing him for his conversion. With the vision he received God wanted to reach him and accommodate him in the service that was necessary for him to perform. He was someone of much well-being and a big heart, but what is perfect he had not yet taken it into his life, the Savior. Some argue if Cornelius was saved before or after this vision and experience, but now what we should know is how God takes the lives and how He works within them so that they will acknowledge Him in all His essence, not in some areas only. God wanted Peter to teach this man what he had learned directly from Jesus himself. Cornelius is for us an example of a man who lived in accordance with a measure of light that God had given him. Although that light was not enough to save him, God made sure he received the additional light of the gospel. Before Peter’s visit Cornelius was not certain of the salvation, but he did feel identified with those who worshiped the true God. For that reason, we see that on one good day at about three o’clock in the afternoon Cornelius had a clear vision in which an angel of God appeared to him calling him by his name. We know that he was a gentile who was unfamiliar with the angels; it was the Jewish who knew of the ministry of the angels and that is why Cornelius confused the angel with the Lord Himself. The angel addressed him with tranquil words about the appreciation God had for him because of his prayers and charities and then told him to send for the apostle Peter who was in Joppa. There was Peter in Joppa lodging in the home of a certain Simon, the tanner, by the sea. Obeying right away what was said by the angel, the centurion sent two of his servants and a soldier who was also fearful of God to find Peter. In Joppa God was already working with Peter so that he could help Cornelius to acknowledge the Lord in Spirit and in truth. About noon the following day Peter went to the roof of the house of Simon to pray. Prayer is that conversation with God, it is when God also converses with the men on earth, it is Heaven and earth in communication. Maybe Peter had wanted to eat something, but the meal was not ready yet. His hunger resulted naturally in an adequate preparation for what was about to happen. He fell into a trance and saw a large linen that was descending towards him containing all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles and heard God saying to him to kill and eat. Peter remembered the Law of Moses and said: “Surly not, Lord”. Now would follow the teaching about what was impure for Peter’s understanding. The important thing was what the Holy Spirit wanted him to see and understand about the inclusion and salvation of the gentiles. Lead by the Holy Spirit, the apostle went down from where he was to see the three men who were looking for him. Peter followed them and went to visit Cornelius just as indicated by the Holy Spirit. And this is what God wanted; that is the flow of the Holy Spirit to guide and join these men to fulfill His perfect and marvelous plan. It is through Peter that the Holy Spirit is revealed to Cornelius all the things he needed to know about the gospel and fills him. Cornelius acknowledges the Lord and with him all his beloved family and friends. (Verse. 44-48) They received the forgiveness of their sins (43). Then they all received the tongues magnifying God. This was testimony, for all who saw then, that Cornelius and all his household had surely received the Holy Spirit. There they decide that everyone in Cornelius house would be baptized in the waters before the amazed eyes of the Jewish who were with Peter. Those gentiles heard the Word and believed, they received the Holy Spirit and were then baptized. How wonderful God’s plan for salvation, for the Jewish as well as the gentiles!

Before, Cornelius was known by God, but now he is reached to become a SON! Now Cornelius would know exactly what was necessary to acknowledge and experience for his fullness. That is how God works with the lives. Let us also be docile to the Holy Spirit. Glory we give to God for His love and mercy! Amen.