seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Acts 10: 23 The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
ANYONE who Believes is accepted.Jews and Gentiles.... Brown, Black, Freckled, Tan, White... Smart, Ignorant... Rich, Poor, Working Class... Homeless... Dog Lovers... Cat Lovers... Bank Robbers, Murderers, Thieves.... Gay, Straight... Young, Old.... Teachers, Lawyers, Politicians, Preachers, Janitors... ANYONE!
You have to accept Him as your Savior. It says and "does what is right". Good Ol' Peter just loved putting God in a Box. If at the last few seconds of life, before a body has time to go feed the poor or paint an old man's porch, a man comes to Believe [Accepts] that Jesus is the Messiah.... They will welcome in the Kingdom of God. ANYONE!
It was unlawful for Peter, a Jew, to congregate with Gentiles. God wanted this meeting to happen. God guided Dr. Luke's hand to build up the tension, waiting to find out why Cornelius had a vision requiring Peter to come see him. God made us all "Wait for Peter". God guided Dr. Lukes hand while he was writing this Book. We waited for Peter to arrive. Now we know.... Jesus died for every human on earth.... EVERY HUMAN who accepts Jesus as their Savior is welcome in the Kingdom. God knows who you are.
Accepting God is the "right" thing to do.
So, Peter broke the law by visiting Cornelius.
God had a message for everyone and ANYONE!
