Acts 10:1-8

       

         This chapter is incredible as it shows the life-changing power of people hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the message of Our Lord. And it speaks volumes about Christian leadership - and how such leadership, by comparison, is lacking in the modern church.

Godliness, and your reputation as a godly person, are developed by a lifetime of behavior. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, yet your character and reputation start from a young age and are an accumulation of your belief in action. We see in 1 Timothy and Titus the essential attribute of a Christian leader's good reputation. What is your reputation? What's mine?

        Look at Cornelius’ primary characteristics that mattered to God: he feared God, his entire household feared God, he gave generously to the poor, and he prayed regularly to God (v. 2). Modern preachers will make up all sorts of legalistic rules about how you can’t drink, can’t smoke cigars, and you have to give them your money to be righteous. You can discern for yourself whether they are men like Peter and Cornelius or if they are self-serving frauds.

We see clearly in this story the characteristics of what Jesus’ men look like. We see it in Cornelius, his servants, his soldiers, Peter, and Peter’s brothers in Christ.

Cornelius is an officer, yes. But much more than a soldier. He’s a God-fearing man - let’s be men of faith today! Such faith impacts not only our family but also the entire community. Be disciplined - daily. Be wise and calm. Be sensible. Be an ordinary person (no claim or desire for fame). Be a hard worker. And, like Cornelius, when God speaks, listen. Be decisive. Don’t hold off being baptized. Use your position, whatever it is right now, to share the love that Christ Jesus commands we share with all people. As we read this story, think of ways to charge courageously through divisions and seek unity through faith in Christ.

Be wary of anyone who puts God in a box with simplistic systematic theology, saying God only chooses some people for Salvation, hates others, and only operates in this fashion: A, B, and C. Nonsense. God shows us in Scripture his character and his goodness. In God’s character, God can and will do whatever he so chooses. He will not be boxed in.

We saw Philip explaining God’s message to the Egyptian Treasurer just a few chapters back. The Egyptian was seeking God but needed to hear Jesus’ message that “everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Every person on earth has a responsibility to God. To accept and obey Jesus, or to reject and ignore him. Jesus is the judge of all people. No one escapes accountability. God’s method with the Egyptian was unique, but he was looking at his heart, his willingness to believe, and his faith. He broke through all class systems to get the message of Truth to the people of Egypt through that man - and indeed used the Treasurer to bring the Gospel to many Egyptians.

Likewise, in this chapter, we see God acting in supernatural ways, yet with similar outcomes of life-changing Salvation penetrating cultural differences for those that hear the Gospel. In this case, the captain of the Italian Regiment – and all who were listening to the message Peter was relaying. First, they heard the message, then the Holy Spirit fell upon them as they believed what Peter testified to them about what Jesus did – then they were baptized in the name of Jesus.

We are (or at least we should be) God’s humble servants. Like Cornelius and Simon Peter, we must listen and obey our Holy Master. We are not to decide for the Master such things that are in His purview alone. We are an excellent example to many because God is our strength and protection.

God reveals himself to mankind in many ways. He uses nature, but I believe His Scripture is His primary tool for speaking to man. But let’s not limit God. He can use anything in the seen or unseen world. Here we see him using angels, visions, human messengers, and the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

So yes, people can search after God, pray to God, act in obedience to God, pray regularly to God (v. 2 and v. 22), and have faith in God (v. 24) without knowing the whole message of Jesus Christ. Seek Him.  And you will find Him.

 This surprises and angers those that believe they own the secret God – formula and that their revelation from God is superior to the power of the Spirit of Christ to save any man or woman. Pay them no heed. God’s Scripture silences their foolishness.

Almighty God’s purposes always prevail. His ways and glorious Grace and His love for us - sinners – will be praised forever.

Note here that Cornelius is a man of wealth and power. He has a large household with many soldiers and servants. Note that not only was he devout, but so too was everyone in his household. He led by example, and it was contagious. He set a high benchmark, a godly example, for all that reported to him.

As said, we see that Cornelius prayed regularly. And God heard him. I need to pray more. We need to pray more. We’ve noticed Godly men pray in the afternoon multiple times in the book of Acts. Let’s pray at all times of the day. There is power in prayer. Leaders pray. It's manly to pray.

God called Cornelius by name. He knows our names—every one of us. Make a point of getting peoples' names right. It matters to God, so it should matter to us. It is a sign of insincerity to mess up others’ names. I do that, and I’m not proud of it.

Why is it that God cares so much for the poor? Why is it that men in the Bible who know the Living God are generous to the poor? It is because they know and follow God’s heart. God cares about the needy and the poor. And why is it today that our preachers are often wealthy men asking the congregation to give them more with little accountability? I just don’t see that as a characteristic of the Acts church. We must be concerned for and generous to the poor. That’s Jesus’ way.

This chapter reminds us that we will all account someday to Jesus Christ. He’s the judge of all people. And He is the only one that offers Grace to all people. Lord, please increase my desire to serve you more, to serve the needy, and to see people as you see them.

Notice that Cornelius sent trustworthy messengers. The two servants and soldier he sent were, like Cornelius, also devout (v. 7). Godly officers produce godly soldiers. God had mighty plans for those in the Italian Regiment - and it had nothing to do with the ambition of Caesar! God was at work on these men’s hearts, and I believe Peter’s message was repeated many times as they returned to Rome.

Lord Jesus, please keep working on my heart and the hearts of my family and friends. Lord Jesus. May we respond in obedience to You. Thank you, Jesus, amen.