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The
Conversion Of Cornelius
– Acts Ten
It was God's will that the
gospel be preached to every creature. (Mark
Cornelius, was the captain or centurion
of a group of soldiers called "The Italian Band." He and the other
soldiers in this unit were from
In a vision the Lord told Peter to kill and eat unclean animals.
Peter told the Lord he had never eaten anything unclean. Peter was told that
what God had cleansed no one should call unclean. The vision was not really
about food, but it was about people. While Peter thought about what the vision meant three men came from Cornelius. He
went with these men without doubting. Some brethren accompanied him from Joppa.
When they arrived at Caesarea Cornelius was waiting. Cornelius,
his family and friends were ready to hear what they must do to be saved.
Cornelius fell down and worshipped at Peter's feet. Peter said to him,
"Stand up! I am just a man." Peter explained to Cornelius how he had
learned that no man is common or unclean.
Peter now knew that any person that fears God and works
righteousness is accepted with God. He is no respecter of persons. Peter
preached the gospel to those that had gathered. He told them of the work of
Jesus and of His death and resurrection. Peter showed that Jesus is the one
that God has chosen to judge the living and the dead. As Peter was speaking,
the Holy Spirit fell upon those that heard the word. The Jewish brethren that
had come with Peter were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to
Gentiles. They heard the Gentiles speaking in unknown languages and praising
God. Peter now saw clearly that the Gentiles should be baptized. So He
commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Cornelius, a good moral man – Acts 10:1-8:
In Acts chapter ten we meet a man named Cornelius, who was a captain of a
group of soldiers called "The Italian Band." He lived in
At about the ninth hour of the day Cornelius saw an angel of God.
The angel told him his prayers and alms have come up for a memorial before God.
The angel instructed him to send for Peter. Peter was lodging with Simon the
tanner in Joppa. Cornelius sent two of his servants and a devout soldier to
Joppa to seek for Peter. The Lord brought Peter and Cornelius together so
Cornelius could learn the truth.
Peter's vision while on the housetop – Acts
10:9-18: Peter was
prejudiced against Gentile and his Jewish prejudice had to be broken. While on
a housetop praying Peter saw a vision of something like a great sheet bound at
the four corners coming down to the earth. In the sheet there were all kind of things unlawful for Jews to eat. A voice
told peter to "Kill these and eat them."
Peter protested that he had never eaten
anything common or unclean. Peter is told that when God says that something is
clean man should not call it unclean. The vision happened three times before
the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven. The vision was to show Peter that
God would receive Gentiles into the kingdom. The result of the vision was that
Peter went with those sent by Cornelius.
Peter went to Cornelius – Acts 10:19-33: As Peter
thought about what the vision meant, the men from Cornelius arrived. The Holy
Spirit instructed Peter to go with them, doubting nothing. The men told Peter
that Cornelius was a good man that worshiped God and that he was loved by the
Jewish people. Peter invited the men to stay the night and then he went with
them.
Cornelius had an audience waiting to hear God's message. He had invited his relatives and close friends to hear the preaching. Cornelius was concerned that all would hear the things commanded by God. When Peter arrived, Cornelius greeted him and knelt down at his feet to worship him. Peter took hold of him and said, "Stand up! I am nothing more than a human." No man is to be worshipped, not even those that might call themselves 'Pope."
Peter explained to Cornelius that the Jews are not allowed to have
anything to do with other people. But God has shown him not to call any man
common or unclean. Peter said that he had agreed to come but he wanted
Cornelius to tell him why he had sent for him. Cornelius recounted the vision
that had occurred four days before. Now all of these people were present before
God to hear everything He has commanded.
Peter's sermon to the Gentiles – Acts
10:34-48: Peter said that
he was certain that God treats all people alike. Everyone that worships God and
does His will, can be saved. Peter recognized that God
respects no man because of his nationality. He also understood that the gospel
is for all and the conditions of gospel obedience are the same for all.
Peter's sermon involved the same message that he had preached from
Pentecost. He said that, (1) God sent Jesus as Lord of all, (2) God offers
peace through Jesus, (3)
God gave miraculous power to Jesus, (4) Jesus died, was buried and was raised on
the third, (5) the prophets witness to Jesus, and (6) Peter and others were commanded to testify that Jesus was ordained to be the
Judge of the living and the dead.
As Peter began to speak the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and
his house. Some Jewish brethren had come with Peter. They were surprised that
the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. They knew the Gentiles had received
the Holy Ghost because "they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God." Peter questioned as to whether anyone could forbid water for the
baptism of those that had received the Spirit just as the Jews did? Peter
commanded baptism in water as a condition of salvation from past sins.
Now is the time to serve God faithfully. To
become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Malachi Beauchamp, Teresa Boutwell, Ethel
Gafford, Jean Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Frank Johnson,
Ricky Johnson, Jessie Kennemore, Mary
Lawrence, Evelyn Lewis, Joyce Massey, Glennie Palmer
(aunt of Neomia Collins & Jerri Davis), Mary Powell, Anna Salter, Joe
Smith, and Trisha Shirley (auto accident). Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis,
Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. Please
Pray For: (a)
Alan Jackson as he serves in
3. Special
Need For Prayer: Brenda & Willie Herring
are expecting triplets. Brenda is facing several weeks of bed rest. Please pray
for her and the babies.
4. Sympathy
Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to George Lewis and his
family in the death of his brother, Alvin Fritz Lewis.
5. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: June 4th Jordyn Bagents
and Linda Bender, June 5th Ryan Bagents, and June 6th Billy
Heartsill and April Schofield.
6. Golden
Anniversary: You are invited to join us in the celebration of the Golden
Wedding Anniversary of our parents William and Margaret
Pierce, Saturday, June 17th,
7. Thank
You: (a) Dear Church Family,
We would like to thank you for the delicious lunch and all the emotional
support when Grandmother Mary passed away. Many of you have always been there
for our family, and we are so lucky to have such caring people in our lives! A
special thanks to Mr. Bobby Terrell and Brother Box! Thank you very much! Denise
Tindal Norrell & Family (b) Thank you for the care you have shown
me during my knee surgery. The cards have been uplifting, and your prayers have
sustained me. Please continue to pray for me. In Christian Love,
Charles
Box Sr
8. Graduation
Invitations: The Board of Regents, Administration, and Faculty of
Southern Christian University Montgomery, Alabama join President and Mrs. Rex A
Turner, Jr. in requesting the honor of your presence at the Davis Theater,
9. Fish
Fry: A fish fry is planned for June 10th at
10. Area
Events: (a) June 4-7 –
Gospel Meeting – Highland Home Church of Christ – Sam Long – 7:00 p.m. (b) June 4-7 – VBS – Georgiana Church
of Christ – 6:30–8:00 p.m. (c) June
4-7 – VBS – Grady Church of Christ – 6:00–8:00 p.m. (d) June 4-8 – Gospel
Meeting – Sasser Church of Christ – Garland Elkins – 7:30 p.m. (e) June 4-8 – VBS – Cedar Grove Church
of Christ – 6:30-8:30 p.m. (f) June
11th – Singing – New Providence Church of Christ – Highway 62 near
Greenville – 2:30 p.m. (g) June
11-14 – Gospel Meeting – Ramer Church of Christ –Alan Watkins – 7:30 p.m. (h) June 11-15 – Gospel Meeting – Rock
Hill Church of Christ –Raymond Elliott – 7:30 p.m. (i) June 11-16 – Gospel Meeting – Wald
Church of Christ –Charles White – 7:30 p.m. (j) June 18-23 – “National Worship for the Deaf” – Niceville Church
of Christ – call 850-678-2911 for details. (k)
July 9-14 – Backwoods Christian Camp. (l) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrich-ment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel –
12. Please Pre-Register: We anticipate a
great week at Backwoods Christian Camp. The dates are July 9th – 14th.
Our theme for the week is “Learning to Lean on Jesus”. We anticipate a great
number of people so we are asking all groups and individuals to pre-register.
If you need registration forms please contact Walnut Street Church of Christ,
“Once-Saved, Always-Saved”
My wife,
Jamie, told me the other day about an experience that she had when she accepted
a Baptist friend’s invitation to attend a “judgment house” around Halloween one
year. The people inside the judgment house began by acting out the deaths of
two men. One, a very moral and decent young man, was killed. But he had never
“accepted Christ as his personal savior,” so he was sent to hell. The other
man, a forty year old drunk, who mistreated his family, died. But since he had
accepted Christ by saying a simple prayer when he was a very young man, he was
sent to heaven to be rewarded for all eternity. It is true that the young man’s
morality, without obedience to God, would not save him (Mt
Here is how
one Baptist explains this doctrine: “We take the position that a Christian’s
sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his
character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing
whatever to do with the salvation of his soul.”
(Sam Morris,
Paul was
speaking to Christians in the church at
The idea that
one who becomes a Christian cannot fall from grace and once again be lost in
sin is clearly contrary to the teachings of the Bible. It is sad to think about
the countless souls that have been convinced that all they must do is say a
little prayer (that is also foreign to scripture) and they will be secure in
Christ no matter what. There is security in the Lord, but only to those that
obey Him (Jn
- - - - Darrell Powell
Evangelism
will bring us face to face with all kinds of human needs.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)