A New Direction

We’ve had a 3 week break between leaving Peter in Joppa and this morning--

We’ve looked at some of the prophecy concerting the death and resurrection of Jesus

We looked at the triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple

We looked at the resurrection of Jesus and the restoration and commissioning of Peter by the resurrected Lord

Context

Returning to the storyline, we had left Peter in Joppa Acts 9 43

Acts 9:43 ESV

And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

A significant, though easily overlooked detail—Simon was a tanner

The trade was looked down upon by the Jews; it was dirty, smelly, unsightly…and could render a person unclean for touching a dead animal, with an unknown type of death

Logical for him to live on the coast for a ready supply of seawater, used in the tanning process

Concept

Jesus had given Peter the “keys to the kingdom” Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

This is an often discussed, yet unresolved issue among scholars

Some scholars think it likely this statement was made to the apostles as a group; but the “you” is singular

Let me suggest a three-faceted thought on this

If we understand Peter as having taken the position, in the very early church, of “point man”

It was Peter, who preached at Pentecost, the Spirit descended, and the church—then only Jews—was inaugurated

These were Jews who were worshipping the best they knew—not following dead rituals, not just going through the motions, really intent on worshipping God

It was Peter—along with John—who followed Philip to Samaria, and when there, the Spirit came upon those who were saved there

Now, it is Peter who is going to the Gentiles…and we’ll see the result of that in a future message

I suggest that tradition of Jewish teaching understood the Kingdom of God as belonging to law-keeping Jews and those Jews alone—though they would include (probably grudgingly) law-keeping Proselytes; all others were excluded from it

With the totality of his ministry, Peter will have unlocked the gates for the Samaritans, the God-fearers, and the Gentiles at large

A couple chapters later, Matthew 18:18 “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus is speaking to the entire group of Apostles--

If you’re following my logic, that statement yet applies to us

By proclaiming the Gospel, we open the doors to the Kingdom of God for all who respond to enter

We also, as we proclaim the Gospel are defeating (binding) the powers of Satan—as the gates of hell cannot stand against the church

Peter was clearly the point man—but it is ours to continue opening the doors to the kingdom by sharing the Gospel…and those gates CANNOT stand against it

Consistency

We are told the components of Cornelius’s life

a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God

From the text, his lifestyle extended to his household

There were, from the Jewish perspective, three types of people other than naturally born Jews

Gentiles—not much good to be said about them

God-fearers—getting a lot of things right worshipping the true God, observing most of the Jewish law, likely celebrating the festivals, attending synagogue and—not fully committed, not circumcised, though we’ll see that he was accepted by them

Proselytes—Gentiles who had fully converted to Judaism

Clearly, Cornelius fell into the middle group—on a scale of 1-10, a 9+

Before we move on, let’s recall the fact that Abraham was promised that in his offspring ALL the world would be blessed

So his situation as a God-fearer, put him into a category we’d call blessed

Conundrum

When we first encounter Cornelius, were he and his family “saved?”

Had he gone into battle and lost his life, what would his eternal destiny have been?

Had his family been murdered, what of them?

Had he and his family trusted Christ—the way, the truth, the life?

The answer from our text and the rest of the chapter…and the total text of Scripture is clearly NO

That’s where our finite minds scream: IT’S NOT FAIR

What if someone has done all he knows how to do?

what indeed! Heb 11 6

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Our ESV (uniquely) doesn’t say this with quite the thrust the other translations do: earnestly seek, diligently seek, sincerely seek

The underlying word does have the implication of more than just a quick look around

So, was God fair? Since that’s a subjective term, let’s the the right question: Was God JUST?

Continuing Conundrum

Were the God-fearers, pre-Christ, part of the Kingdom—I would argue yes; because they had their faith in the right thing—the God who would provide redemption

Post-Christ, no; with Christ revealed, the plan of salvation was fully known

As a matter of history, that point is moot; they either are or are not

However we look at it, we serve a just God—being fair does not enter into the equation—from God’s perspective

Conversation

…with an angel

Not what this centurion was expecting…he was actively seeking God

Thought he was doing everything right, he was not yet saved

The message came, instructing him to take the next step

Compliance

He did what he was told and, as we’ll soon see, waited expectantly for God to further reveal Himself to him and his household

The Continued Conversation

It’s in our court now

Many will have an inclination toward God…but when there’s an invitation to sit and hear the Gospel…to attend church, to meet for a Bible study…won’t follow up on the conversation

We’ve had those conversations—they want God-inspired answers to their problems…but not the God who holds the answers to their problems