Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18Sample

What is this passage saying? Things are happening! The Church has been incredibly effective and successful. The Lord is accompanying the apostle's proclamation of the Gospel with miraculous signs. The Gospel is spreading like fire. This chapter opens with a Caesarean man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, a gentile. He was a righteous man, seeking after God. One day an angel who appears to Cornelius says that his righteous acts have ascended before God as a memorial. The angel tells him to send men to Joppa to bring back Peter. This story sets the stage in order to show God's plan for salvation was available to the gentiles too. Anyone could come to faith in Jesus- so the gift of Salvation can be given to all. What is this passage teaching? This passage is setting the stage for how The Lord was going to expand the early Church, and ultimately the entire body of Christ for years to come. As we continue to read the New Testament, we see that accepting Gentile believers was a point of contention for some of the Jewish leaders of the early Church. False teachers will rise to teach against the acceptance of Gentiles. False teachers will teach that circumcision is necessary for Salvation. The kindness of our God in this passage and the next passage shows the undeniable truth that is God's plan. The God of the Old Testament and New Testament is the same God- He does not change. The Jews were His chosen people. Abraham and his offspring were chosen by God to proclaim God to the nations. While they were the chosen nation, this did not mean that people born into other nations were not able to join the people of God. If a Moabite renounced their god Dagon and followed God, they would be able to live among the Jews and observe the law. Ruth is proof of this. The invitation from God has always been "Come, see, believe, and follow Me." This passage is further assurance for us Gentiles, that Salvation truly is the greatest gift, and it is available to everyone. Cornelius' obedience really is such a beautiful beginning. How do I respond? A life of godliness brings such peace and joy. Cornelius was successful by the world's standards. Yet his life of righteousness was known, and it defined his family. The Bible is not hiding how to live a godly life from you. The Gospels are filled with Jesus' life to show us how to live. Submit all your ways to Jesus and He will direct your steps. These are the only steps worth taking.