This week’s lesson is once again a continuation of the move of the Spirit of God in both the Apostle Peter’s life and the household of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert to the Apostolic Church. This account shows the arrival of the Apostle Peter and his Jewish brothers to the home of Cornelius.
Cornelius gathered his household, his kinsmen (those that were near to him from Italy) and also friends living in Caesarea. As the Apostle Peter came in the doorway of Cornelius’ home, he met Peter, and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But the Apostle Peter took him up and said, "Stand up, I myself also is a man". This display of humility by the Apostle Peter is one of the many characteristics of the Spirit of God. Peter did not, nor did he demonstrate any superiority over Cornelius, but showed humility of spirit to this Gentile believer.
The scripture says that the Apostle Peter, related in the ears of Cornelius and his brethren how God had shown him that he should not separate himself from any man, that are not Jewish, therefore I came with your servants to see what is it you call us here for, in Caesarea.
Cornelius then related to Apostle Peter how God spoke to him in a vision, saying that "thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are remembered through your gifts to the poor," and how I should "send for one Simon, whose surname is Peter, he is lodged in the house of Simon the tanner by the sea side, who when he cometh, he shall speak to thee."
One of the interesting things of this account was the specificity of the Spirit of God in action. He gave clear and specific instructions, so that there will be no ambiguity of what God is saying to an individual or groups of people.
The scripture says that the Apostle Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth, I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him". The Apostle Peter continued speaking to the household of Cornelius, and spoke of the plan of God, to bring salvation to all humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Ghost and with power. He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him, and we are witnesses of all things. My Jewish brothers hanged Jesus on a tree, but God raised him up after three days, and showed him openly to us who are his witnesses chosen before God; even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Jesus commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is he who was ordained of God to be the judge of the living and the dead.
The scripture says that while the Apostle Peter spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. This amazing act of God, upon the household of Cornelius caused those that came with Peter to be astonished, because they thought the Spirit of God was exclusively for theJews. The Apostle Peter recognized the power of God and told this group, that this is the spirit of God in action, because we heard these Gentile believers speak in tongues like we did on the day of Pentecost.
Friends and readers of this weekly blog, this spirit of God in action is for you and especially you and anyone and everyone who believes the word of God. When you receive the spirit of God in action, you will and must speak in tongues, because this is the gift that God gives to everyone that believes.
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