YOUTH STS LESSON 194 GENTILES RECEIVE THE GOSPEL
MEMORY VERSE:
“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).
TEXT: Acts 10:1–48
Cornelius was a centurion (Roman Officer), who was devoted, feared God, shared his resources with others and prayed always. In response to his sincerity in seeking his Creator, God sent an angel to assure him that his prayers and good deeds were a memorial before Him. He was instructed by the angel to send for Peter at Joppa to preach the gospel to him. While Cornelius was sending men to Joppa, the Lord also revealed to Peter in a vision three times, how the Gentiles would be accepted into the Kingdom through faith in Christ. As Peter thought on the vision, “…the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts 10:19,20).
Question 1: What is a vision?
A vision is one of the ways God reveals His plan and purpose to man. A biblical vision will lead to the salvation of souls (Habakkuk 2:2,3; Acts 9:10,17–19; 16:9,10). However, there are also false visions. Therefore, any vision that does not conform to the word of God is false and should be rejected.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
As Peter preached the word, the Lord used his obedience to mark the beginning of the Gospel preaching to the Gentiles and how he, through a radiant gospel message, led the house of Cornelius to Christ. Hence, God confirmed that He sent Peter thus:
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word” (Acts 10:44).
DIVINE REVELATION TO SINCERE SEEKERS
(Acts 10:1–8; Isaiah 64:6–9; Romans 10:13–15; Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 4:1–5)
Cornelius was a soldier in charge of the Italian band. He was from the Gentile nation which was mainly an idolatrous people. Also, soldiers in those days were rough, difficult and wicked. They maltreated the people and often caused great damage. They were dreaded by the people of the land (Luke 3:14).
But Cornelius was different from his contemporaries. He had a sincere interest in God. Other people who sought God sincerely include Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–9), the Greeks who came to worship at the feast in Jerusalem (John 12:20–22), Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6,7) and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8;27–39). Cornelius had a good testimony and report from God and men (Acts 10:4,22).
Question 2: What was God’s testimony concerning Cornelius?
“A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2).
He was a devoted man, who feared God with his household (including his children), gave alms to the needy and prayed always. Also, he was a just man and had good report of the Jews (Acts 10:22). With these qualities, God said:
“Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4).
Question 3: What steps should a sinner take to receive salvation?
“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14 15), mer way out of sin and evil is repentance and for Christ. A sinner must accept his sinfulness and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9,10).
In this vision to Cornelius, he was directed to send for Peter who was staying with Simon the tanner at Joppa. God gave full details on how to get Peter. God is not the Author of confusion. When He leads and directs, He is clear in His leading (Exodus 4:10–14,27; 1 Samuel 9:15–17). Believe Him to direct and lead you in every matter of your life.
“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).
Immediately the angel departed, Cornelius sent two of his servants to Joppa to call Peter.
Question 4: Why did God direct Cornelius to send for Peter?
God directed Cornelius to send for Peter because “he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” and “to hear words of God (Acts 10:6,22). That is, Peter would preach Christ to him and his household for them to be saved through faith in Christ and not just to be a religious and moral set of people.
This is where the preaching of the gospel is a noble work. Gospel preaching is only for those who are saved from their sins through the blood of Christ. The Lord wants all saved youths to be devoted to soul- winning. Also, it is not enough to be religious but be converted and live a righteous life.
DIVINE REMOVAL OF SEGREGATION BY THE SAVIOUR
(Acts 10:9–16; Luke 18:1; Leviticus 11:1–4; 20:22–26; Deuteronomy 14:1–7; Romans 3:21–31; Galatians 3:26–29; Ephesians 2:11–22)
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:” (Acts 10:9).
The servants of Cornelius reached the city where Peter was staying on the next day of their journey. Meanwhile, Peter went to pray at about the sixth hour (about 12 noon). Peter was a man of prayer (Acts 1:12–14; 3:1; 4:19–24; 6:4; 9:32–34, 40,41; 10:9). This is the secret of spiritual freshness and success in spiritual service.
Today, we can pray if we depend on God’s promise that says:
“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:…” (Zechariah 12:10).
It was during this prayer session that God opened heaven and revealed to Peter all manner of four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things and fowls of the air. Peter was commanded by God to kill and eat but he refused and called it common or unclean food. This was done thrice and the vessel was taken to heaven. In response to Peter’s refusal, God said:
“What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15).
Question 5: Why a did Peter refuse to eat?
The Old Testament laws forbid the children of Israel to eat unclean animals. However, these were part of the ceremonial laws that were done away in Christ (Leviticus 11:4).
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:21,22).
Also, in those days, there was racial segregation (isolation) between the Jews and the Gentiles. Later in our text, Peter confirmed this policy.
“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
Furthermore, when Peter came to Jerusalem after his divinely directed mission to Cornelius, the apostles and the brethren contended with him and said:
“…Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them” (Acts 11:3).
It was this racial segregation and partition that God dealt with (1 Timothy 2:3–6) through the vision to Peter. Therefore, in Christ Jesus, there is no discrimination (1 Corinthians 1:24; Galatians 3:28). Therefore, all those who have been forgiven of their sins through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are not unclean any more (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Question 6: Answer TRUE or FALSE:
- The salvation of your tribe is better than other tribes.
b. The salvation of children born in our church is superior to the salvation of children born in other churches.
© The salvation of youths from communities where traditions does not recognise them to be free born of the land is valid in the sight of God.
d. In Christ, all who are saved are one and are going to the same heaven.
e. In Christ, we are to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace between saved rich and poor members.
“While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee” (Acts 10:19).
As Peter was considering the meaning of the vision, the servants of Cornelius were at the gate of the house where he stayed. When God reveal things to us and there is doubt in our minds, we should pray and patiently listen to Him to clear the doubt through His Scriptures and Spirit.
“Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts 10:20).
Peter, after the confirmation of the vision by the Spirit of God, complied fully with God’s instruction. He had his personal opinion and plan as a Jew, but he preferred to obey God’s directive. What a lesson for us today! God demands our total and complete obedience to His word. We should be consecrated to the Lord and willing to do His bidding always. This is the path to usefulness and rewards from Him. Peter’s obedience, commitment and his mission to Cornelius’ house yielded a fruitful result. This mission became a major milestone in the life of the early Church.
DECISION FOR AND RECEIVING CHRIST AS THE SAVIOUR
(Acts 10:23–33; 15:6–9; Romans 3:29,30; 10:11–13; Genesis 28:14; Ephesians 2:12–19)
Some years back, Jesus Christ sent His disciples on mission and told them plainly, “… Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not” (Matthew 10:5). No doubt, many of the disciples might not fully understand God’s plan about the salvation of the Gentiles. This restraint might have confused and misled them. Hence, their mindset towards preaching to the Gentiles was very cold though Jesus had told them that they would preach to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
In order to open the door of salvation to the Gentiles, God ministered to Apostle Peter to go with those servants of Cornelius. Strangely though, Peter (a Jew) called them in and lodged them till the second day when they were set for the journey.
“And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him” (verse 25).
However, Peter refused to be worshipped and said he was like him. Cornelius began to narrate his experience with the angel to Peter. He told Peter how he was praying and fasting, speaking to the Lord until he received divine instruction to send for Peter. Cornelius with an open heart declared to Peter that they were ready for all he had to say (Acts 10:33).
When Peter got to the house of Cornelius, the first thing he acknowledged was “… that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). He was surprised by how God captured this high military officer and made him curious about the gospel. Also, he was surprised that God had no problem with him being a Gentile as long as he (Cornelius) was ready to serve Him. Then he began to preach the word of God.
Question 7: What were the contents of Peter’s preaching to Cornelius household?
The first message he gave was on the need to fear God and live a righteous life.
“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:35).
After that, he talked about peace through Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36). In addition, he spoke of the healing and deliverance in the Lord Jesus (Acts 10:38); the suffering, death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Acts 10:39,40); warning on the coming judgment by Jesus (Acts 10:42) and the remission of sins through His name (Acts 10:43).
When we preach to sinners, we should plant into them the fear of God and the need to please Him by living a righteous life. We should tell them that this will only be possible if they make peace benefits attainable. We are to warn the sinners that refusal attracts a very serious judgment whereas remission awaits those who accept the gospel. (Acts 2:38).
As Peter was preaching, he stressed the need for remission of sins. This is possible through repentance and faith in Christ. Repentance is the central theme of the gospel. Repentance is a conscious turning away from evil and sins to God by faith. As soul- winners, we must emphasise the need for sinners to repent from sin and have faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. This is important and available only to those who repent and believe in Christ.
Repentance opens the way and makes us to receive grace, pardon and peace from God, and brings an inward change in the heart. This is the basis of being a Christian.
Cornelius and his household listened with rapt attention to Peter, and the Holy Ghost fell on them.
“And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:45).
Immediately, Peter commanded that they should be baptized in the name (His authority) of the Lord. He did not leave the people immediately as he was asked by the people to tarry for some more days.
Preaching to a sinner is not the end in itself but a means to an end. When you have converts, you are to disciple them until they become mature in Christ. Arrange to conduct water baptism for them and take them through a series of teaching (Matthew 28:18–20). This will also include a process of visitation where you teach them the rudiments of the Christian living. These would lead to the establishment of the converts in the life of the gospel.
