From Strength to Strength Grace Covers

Jonah and Nineveh

Nineveh’s historical situation during this period may explain the readiness of the king and his people to accept Jonah’s message.

Assyrian power was a at a particularly low point during the reign of Assur-dan III (773-756 B.C.)

They had suffered military reverses, diplomatic setbacks, famine and domestic uprisings.
An Eclipse had taken place on June 15, 763 B.C. and this would have been regarded as a terrible omen.

With all this going on it is not surprising that the Ninevites would have been especially jittery and ready to pay attention to a foreign prophet who suddenly appeared in their city.

Peter and Cornelius (chap. 10).

The importance of this event is seen in the fact that Luke recounts it three times—here in Acts 10, again in chapter 11, and finally in 15:6-9. The geographic extension of the gospel in Acts is an initial fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Matthew 8:11: “Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places . . . in the kingdom of heaven.”

Peter had used “the keys of the kingdom” to open the door of faith to the Jews (Acts 2) and the Samaritans (Acts 8:14ff), and now would complete his special ministry by opening the door to the Gentiles (see Acts 15:6–11).

Caesarea was a Roman city, the Roman capital of Palestine.

Cornelius was a God-fearing Gentile who did not know the truth of the Gospel.

He was devout, honest, generous, and sincere; but he was not a saved man.
It is possible to be very religious but still be lost!

Were it not for the fact that God in His grace spoke to Cornelius, he would never have become a believer.
An angel spoke to him and told him to send for Peter.

Why did not the angel give Cornelius the message himself?
Because God has not given to angels the ministry of sharing the Gospel with sinners.
What a privilege we have in telling the Gospel to lost souls, a privilege angels cannot have!

----

chap. chapter