ACCEPTABLE TO GOD - PART 9

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 2024

The voice translation remarkably stated that Cornelius was an outsider, meaning that he wasn't a Jewish man, and in most truthful way, he wasn't born of the Spirit yet. But God heard his prayers, and took notice of his kindness to the poor. So the Angel of God said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God." Since God had taken notice of him, He had to perfect that which concerned him. In other words, since the eyes of God were upon him, there is His Kingdom to prepare for, AND BE WELCOMED INTO. More below!

Reference: Acts 10:34-35 New Living Translation (NLT)

'So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to Him."'

When Peter departed together with Cornelius' delegates the next morning, he brought some Christian believers from Joppa. And they arrived in Caesarea the next afternoon just before three o'clock. Cornelius had anticipated their arrival and had assembled his relatives and close friends to welcome them. When Peter and Cornelius met, Cornelius fell at Peter's feet in worship, but Peter helped him up. Then they talked and entered the house to meet the whole crowd inside.

Peter said: You know I am a Jew. We Jews consider it a breach of divine law to associate, much less share hospitality, with outsiders. But God has shown me something in recent days: I should no longer consider any human beneath me or unclean. That's why I made no objection when you invited me; rather, I came willingly. Now let me hear the story of why you invited me here (Acts 10:28-29 VOICE).

And indeed, it was unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or befriend a Gentile, or to visit him; but God interrupted that Jewish tradition which was in transformative transition - by introducing Peter's vision which implied that he was not meant to call anyone common or [ceremonially] unclean. To that effect, when Peter was sent for, he came without raising an objection. Now then, in accordance with Acts 10:33, Cornelius and his people were all present before God to listen to everything that Peter had been instructed by the Lord to say. Did God instruct Peter on what message to deliver? If so, when was that?

At this point, I want to reawaken and stir your mental sense of connection in relation to a previous article on this topic, which is specifically themed,  "ACCEPTABLE TO GOD - PART 5" in which I mentioned that Peter didn't sleep at night without gaining full understanding of his vision that was of great importance. During his night watch of extended prayer - well observed under the inspiration of the Spirit, he received proper clarification of significative instruction concerning the vision he saw, and therefore, the indicative nature of message he was to deliver was revealed to him in a detailed form of illuminary recognition or perception. To that effect, Cornelius stated that they were all present before God to listen to everything that Peter had been "instructed" by the Lord to say. Got it?

As God's inspired servant, Peter began to abundantly testify. Opening his mouth, he said:

"Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God's blessing], but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him" (Acts 10:34-35 AMP).

Beloved, the instructive and enlightening influence of Peter's ministration, who honourably and manifestly gave the testimony of Christ's victory on the cross, and how His perfect sacrifice confirmed God's acceptance of Gentiles, should particularly get our utmost attention, and the detailed explication of the revelatory insight is due to be expounded by my humble self in part 10. Stay tuned. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 49:6; Romans 1:16; Acts 28:28; Romans 11:25.

Guided Prayer:

Gracious heavenly Father, if I look around me, I see continual reasons to honour you with the fruit of my lips and bring you the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the finished work of Christ on the cross which has given me advantageous access to your ever-abiding presence and ever-advancing glory. Thank you for the exclusive pre-eminence of Christ's atoning sacrifice, which justifies and sanctifies the souls of men who believe in Christ and are made worthy of receiving eternal life, in Jesus' Name, Amen!