Tuesday: The Conversion of Cornelius – Part 2
Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
(Acts 10:34-35 NIV). Though these words to us are not that revolutionary, for them to have come from the mouth of Peter was an astonishing confession.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
We have to remember who Peter was, where he came from, and the attitudes that he had and still struggled with. (See Gal. 2:11-16.) No doubt, though, his experience with Cornelius helped him see even more clearly the error of his ways and helped him get a better picture of what God had intended to do with the gospel message.
Read Acts 10:33. What did Cornelius say to Peter that showed that he understood, even despite so much ignorance, that following the Lord also meant obeying Him?
Read Acts 11:14. What does it say that shows us the need to spread the gospel even to such a godly man as Cornelius?
How does Romans 2:14-16 help us to understand what was going on with Cornelius?
As we have seen, Cornelius was a Gentile who feared God
(Acts 10:2), though he still had a lot to learn (don’t we all?). Nevertheless, his fasting, his praying, and his giving of alms all revealed a heart open to the Lord; and thus, when the time was right, God worked miraculously in his life.
An important point to remember in this account is how, though an angel appeared to him, the angel didn’t preach the gospel to him. Instead, the angel opened the way for Cornelius to meet Peter, who then told him about Jesus (see Acts 10:34-44). We can see here an example of how the Lord uses humans as His messengers to the world.
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Peter was shown the key to the Good News. The LORD accepts anyone who fears Him and does what is right.
Or as Jesus said: love Me and keep my commandments and then I will send the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart.
Interestingly in Acts 10:6 the Angel says Peter will tell you what to do, however in Acts 11:14 when Peter tells the story he says the Angel said "he will tell you words by which you may be saved" and what happened? the Holy Spirit fell on them.
In the previous chapter we see the same thing happening to Saul/Paul, Jesus said that he would be told what to do, but when Ananias came he said Jesus sent me so that you may see (the truth) and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
So often we ask what must I do, not realizing what we need is a complete transformation which happens when Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts.
Act 9:5-6 And he said, Who are you, lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. (6) And trembling and astonished, he said, Lord, what will You have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do.
Act 9:16-17 For I will show him what great things he must suffer for My name's sake. (17) And Ananias went and entered into the house. And putting his hands on him, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus, who appeared to you in the way in which you came, has sent me to you that you might see and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Act 10:6 He is staying with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. He will tell you what you must do.
Act 11:13-15 And he declared to us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose last name is Peter, (14) who will tell you words by which you and all your house shall be saved. (15) And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Loving all men alike at all times is the most beautiful experience any human can have. It gives peace and joy beyond measure.Pray for such reality in your life and God will answer your prayer.
i need clarity on these two words. What is the difference between repentance and conversion?
repentance is what a person does when he/she hears the gospel with an open heart (the sinner recognizes that the live that have lived is a sinful one and feels sad for the sins committed) says I will not walk in darkness anymore.
Conviction is the Holy Spirit working on your heart(conscience) reminding you of the true that you have learned and warning you before every action that could go contrary to the word of God.
Though they are many such as Cornelius who obey God but yet to know the right step to take, the Angel will not do what you can do so get involved in the saving of souls.
Im uplifted by your question . repentance is a response to our recognition of our sins, sorrowing for sin (read in steps to Christ chapter on repentance)
Conversion is exclusively action by the spirit
This lesson is so awesome God could use anybody but for him to use us as his messenger show how much value he put on our lives to reach those who only have their conscience to convict them on what is right or wrong.
There is much to say when God give us such great ability to spread the message of the love he has for the world.
Let us labor for the Master with the assurance that what we do for Christ will last.
This will be written in the lamb's book or remembrance.