Note for 20250724

Acts

Ten

Part 10 - Acts 10 - Acceptable

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250724 - Acts - Part 10 - Acts 10 - Acceptable

Acts 10:1-48 KJV

[1] There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, [2] a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. [3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. [4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: [6] he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. [7] And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; [8] and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. [9] On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: [10] and he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, [11] and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: [12] wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. [14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. [15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. [16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. [17] Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, [18] and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. [19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. [20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. [21] Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? [22] And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. [23] Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. [24] And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. [25] And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. [26] But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. [27] And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. [28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. [29] Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? [30] And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, [31] and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. [32] Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. [33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. [34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: [35] but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. [36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) [37] that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. [39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: [40] him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; [41] not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. [43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. [44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, [47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.10.1-48.KJV

Friends, you who have been faithfully following that which GOD has given me to share with you, you know that the past few days have been heavy in receiving the message that came from GOD. Inasmuch, I have grown fatigued in grieving for the fate of mankind, since the remission of sin is open to all mankind who can believe in Jesus Christ that Peter preached to Cornelius here. GOD, indeed, is not a respecter of person and honours the alms and deeds of righteousness, not as the world honours, but by inclusion to the promise of GOD for eternal life in Jesus Christ and the I dwelling by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:26 KJV

[26] But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.10.26.KJV

I have been grieving, for the hardheadedness and foolishness of mankind. And, so often, I find myself embarrassed and ashamed when I discover that I am not better than any other man. Then I grieve again, for my disappointment even in myself in falling short before the cross of Jesus Christ. This Word that we received also reads that the man who says he has not sinned is a liar, for we all fall short of the Glory of GOD.

The message of this chapter is one that should encourage even those who are weak, but hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ, enduring all things in the Great Hope in Jesus Christ, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, as we read of here of Peter and Cornelius and his household being added to the church.

Our hope for Salvation is in Jesus Christ, not failing in our efforts in good deeds. For by our works will all be judged, but in Jesus Christ will we be saved and do we have part in the remission of sin. So we pray, forgive us our trespasses day by day, for we are trespassers, falling short of the Glory of GOD.

Count Noone unworthy of salvation friends. See, Peter would not ordinarily go into the house of a non-Jew, for they were considered unclean, but so Peter was prepared of GOD to receive Cornelius and his household. This Word that we read states that we must live in peace with mankind, as far as it is possible. How do we then refuse any that enquires of us about Jesus Christ? More so by the direct charge of the resurrected Christ to take the Gospel to every creature. That fills me with hope again, for those who will receive our testimony of Jesus Christ, and receive Him. The preacher of Christ knows that it is not by our own holiness that we are saved, but by the Holiness of Jesus Christ the standing sacrifice for the remission of sin at the Throne of GOD, and that we ourselves are saved by the same grace that we preach unto you. Sinners saved by grace.

It is by this transformation you read of here in Cornelius' house, by the receiving of the Holy Ghost that we are able to walk on and be servants to the Most High GOD, sent by Jesus Christ, by Word, visions and dreams. We cannot discount miracles, signs and wonders, for we are witnesses of the same, and here Peter confesses that he perceives the GOD is not a respecter of person. As GOD once said to Moses, He will save whom He is pleased to save and have compassion on them. In Job we learn how GOD boasted of Job with Satan, of his righteousness, which we can find the hope in, that we might bring delight to our Father in Heaven in obedience and freewill gifts.

And here is where my soul is grieved and I am brought to great sadness, that mankind rejects Christ Jesus, who gives the promise of life eternal and the remission of sin by what He has done, as a free gift, by the will of GOD who loved the World so much that He sent His only Begotten Son to pay the price of sin and death so we may live. There is nothing for me to boast in of myself, for I am as much one who received this mercy and grace as all others who have. My sadness is confounded in the knowledge that we condemn ourselves to hell, by rejecting these gifts from GOD. We convict ourselves in unbelief, while it is GOD'S will that none should perish.

While I was in this world, my tears were for myself, and now my tears pile up like a heap for the unnecessary but willful suffering of those who refuse Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour and how the number of the becomes more and more, day by day, in every generation, by their own choice. If I could force salvation, I would, but that is not how it works, for each of us must work out our Salvation with the Lord in fear and trembling.

It took a vision from GOD for Peter to go to Cornelius who was a good man according to this report. But, here is the remarkable matter in this account. This came by the will of GOD, because it is GOD that sends His messenger to both. Peter was waiting for a meal and Cornelius was fasting, so by the will of GOD this salvation of a whole household came. Do you see that? So are both the call and the election of GOD, and obeyed by the servants of GOD. The moment either of these were disobedient, this account would have read different, or there would be no account at all. GOD establishes His Word, by signs and wonders, by instruction met by obedience.

That is my hope for humanity, not of what they will do, but by what GOD is able to do. All Honour, Praise and Glory to our Father in Heaven and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, without Whom, none would be saved at all.

Remain Hopeful, even in lament.

Selah, Shalom

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Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 5)

Psalm 33:5-6 KJV

[5] He loveth righteousness and judgment: The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. [6] By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.33.5-6.KJV

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