Peter has just finished asking Cornelius why he sent for him. This is how Cornelius begins his reply. "Cornelius answered: 'Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.'" (Acts 10:30-31)
What was Cornelius' prayer? The Bible doesn't tell us but, since the answer to his prayer involves sending for Peter so he can hear the gospel, I think Cornelius must have been praying to know the Lord better. Cornelius grew up in a pagan society and never found a single "god" among all of Rome's false deities that did anything for him. He recognized the emptiness of the religion he'd learned among his own people. In Judea he found what he was seeking: the one true God. But he didn't know how to feel as close to God as he wanted to feel, so I think he was praying for a personal relationship with his Maker.
Cornelius continues telling Peter what the angel said to him, "'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." (Acts 10:32-33) The faith of this man continues to impress me. He has such a hunger to know the Lord that he immediately obeyed His instructions, expecting something magnificent to happen. It takes a great deal of childlike, trusting faith to simply obey the Lord without questioning and to expect great things from Him. I'm reminded of something King David once said, "In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3) Cornelius, like David, is a man who laid his requests before the Lord and waited expectantly. He and David both set wonderful examples for us, showing us that when we pray we should have the confidence that God hears us and is going to take some type of action on our behalf. I think we'd see more of our prayers answered sooner if we prayed with this attitude.
"Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached---how 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.'" (Acts 10:34-38) The ministry of Jesus Christ was so widespread and well known that Peter correctly assumes Cornelius and those gathered at his house have heard of Him. These people are aware of the growing Christian movement.
Peter goes on, "We are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a cross, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen---by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him and everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." (Acts 10:39-43) The gospel message Peter preaches here is simple because the gospel message is simple. The power of the gospel is not in fancy words: the power of the gospel is that it is true.
"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message." (Acts 10:44) This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, to convict mankind of sin and to convince mankind that Jesus is Lord. The whole household of Cornelius is saved.
"The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." (Acts 10:45-46a) These Gentiles experience their own version of the Day of Pentecost.
"Then Peter said, 'Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.' So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." (Acts 10:46b-48) These Gentile believers are just as much of the family of God as the Jewish believers. God is going to give them the same awesome gifts. God is going to use them in the same mighty ways. I am so thankful for this! My ancestry is Gentile and I would not be able to call myself a daughter of the King if God had not freely offered salvation to every nation on earth. God, like a good Father, loves us all equally and wants to have a close relationship with every one of us.
I think it would be nice to close today with a song that reminds us what a good Father our God is. The link to it is below.
Good Father
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