Acts Of The Apostles (15 Of 39)

• Accept Saul, who had been one of the worst enemies it had.

• Accept the Gentiles as part of the Christian church.

We must remember, the young Christian church was composed of Jews who, although saved, had been raised from childhood to consider that anyone who was a gentile, was on the same social level of a dog.

Remember too, that dogs were not held in such high esteem as many are today.

They were not just called upon to tolerate them, but to accept any gentile, who accepted Christ, as a brother or sister in the family of God.

God was asking them to go against every thing they had been taught, to accept what they had strongly detested.

But, isn't it amazing how God can bring about His perfect will.

Look how He accomplishes it in this case.

I. THE VISION

To accomplish this plan to bring the Jews and gentiles together to form His church, God looked down upon the earth and used the best He had from among the Jews, and the gentiles.

From the gentiles He chose Cornelius.

Look at what the Word of God says of him, verses 1-2, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."

Notice, the Word of God said he picked "a certain man..." Not just any man, but a “Certain man”.

When God gets ready to do something He always finds that "certain" man or woman!

WHAT KIND OF A MAN WAS HE?

A. THE CHARACTER OF CORNELIUS

We see several things about his character in the scriptures.

1. HE WAS, "A DEVOUT MAN..."

Cornelius was a centurion, which is equal to a captain in our army.

He evidently was a smart man in his field, but he knew little about the things of God.

However, with the knowledge he did have, he was a very devoted man.

2. HE, "...FEARED GOD WITH ALL HIS HOUSE...."

He was a man with authority. Along with the power he possessed, there was a greater power.

Notice, not only did he fear God, but he led his family and servants in having a holy fear (reverence) for God.

3. HE, "...GAVE MUCH ALMS TO THE PEOPLE..."

With his rank he probably made a good salary, but he recognized God had not blessed him to greedily consume it upon himself.

4. HE, "...PRAYED TO GOD ALWAY."

He was a man of power and great resources, but he knew this was not enough. The Bible notes that he, "...prayed to God alway."

Oh, how we need more Corneliuses today. What a excellent role model for us to follow.

Illus: Never in the history of mankind has any generation been hurting for good role models the way we are today.

• Many star athletes are not worthy of the price of the ticket it takes to see them perform.

• Many of the actors and actresses should be ashamed of their evil life-style. They do not care how they influence our young people to do evil, as long as they receive that big pay check.

Our society is filled with so many bad role models for the youth of this nation to follow.

What an excellent role model Cornelius was to his family and neighbors.

Notice, that even though morally speaking he was a good man, he was still a lost gentile.

B. THE CURIOSITY OF CORNELIUS

Verses 3-4, "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. 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."

As a result of his much praying and alms giving, God sent an angel to appear to him. This frightened him.

Illus: Now I remind you, he was not only a soldier, he was a centurion, in command of at least one hundred men. He had faced many dangers of battle. But the Bible makes a point to point out he was afraid when the angel appeared.

He was smarter than many today who live every day, shaking their fists in the face of God almighty.

Not only did he fear, he was also curious. He wanted to know why God would send this angel to him -- "What is it, Lord?"

He not only saw the angel, he also HEARD something.

II. THE VOICE

Verses 5-6, "And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."