God’s Plan For Spreading The Gospel – Man to Man

Exodus 35; Exodus 36; Acts 10
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Scripture

Acts 10

Cornelius Calls for Peter

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"

4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.
The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."

7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Peter's Vision

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14 "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

21 Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"
22 The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius' House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"

30 Cornelius answered: "Four 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 31 and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 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.' 33 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."

Observation

God spoke to Cornelius through a vision and he spoke to Peter through a vision. Cornelius was told exactly where to find Simon Peter. The angel in the vision told Cornelius to go get Simon Peter and he understood from the angel that Simon Peter would give him a message from God. God prepared Simon Peter to go with these Gentiles by also showing Peter in a vision that all men were the same in God’s eyes and that everybody needed Jesus.

So God prepared the one who would bring the Gospel and He prepared the ones who would receive the Good News about Jesus. The amazing thing about this entire story is that God didn’t need to have Peter come share the Good News about Jesus with Cornelius He could have used the angel. The angel in the vision could have explained the whole plan of salvation but he didn’t because that is not part of God’s plan.

God is going to use us to share the Good News. He is not going to use his angelic force. He could but He is not. He has chosen to use us to save the world. It is a big job, but we are called to do it. The angelic force, God’s Holy Spirit, and all the resources in spiritual realms are at our disposal. We are more than capable of fulfilling this mission.

Isn’t it exciting that God has allowed us the privilege of bringing people to Him!

Application

I will look for people that are prepared like Cornelius to hear the Gospel.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this is such an exciting passage. Simon Peter was so prejudiced against anyone that was not a Jew and we are no different. Help me to look beyond the color of a person’s skin, help me to look at people through Your eyes. Help me see people the way that You see them. Help me please You with my thoughts and my actions as I go through this day.

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