FATR Christians
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There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
(Peace for the church-mission not complete) Acts 9:31 (NKJV)
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
This chapter represents a turning point for Peter and the entire church.
The conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, indicates to the church that God fully accepts Gentiles into God’s people without the necessity of conforming to Jewish Law. (FSB-Acts 10)
The author of this text, Luke, showed his hand in his first account regarding the salvation of the Gentiles; which is a big deal for the whole world because it’s 99% Gentile!
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Even as Peter was waiting for lunch at Simon’s house, the Lord had already been preparing the area for the gospel.
Read with me in Acts 8:40
But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
I think it’s really cool that the narrative stops here; Saul/Paul is introduced in chapter 9, then we are right back into the story in chapter 10 where we see the Lord do something miraculous in many lives.
Let me stop giving the backstory and move on to the principles that I would like to share today.
As Peter is learning to trust the Lord, we can pull several lessons from this text today, but I would like to focus on Peter being a great example of what people call a FATR Christian.
FATR is an acronym for:
Faithful
Available
Teachable
Reproducible
Let’s take a look at these principles through the life of Peter in Acts 10.
Peter was:
Faithful
Faithful
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
What did Peter do that jumps out at us in verse 9? (He prayed!)
Peter Prayed
Peter Prayed
Evidence that Peter is a faithful Christian.
He took time out of day to pray.
He does what mature believers tell young ones.
Go find yourself a solitary place (Do you have a solitary place to pray?)
He followed the example of strong people before him like David.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
Peter Listened
Peter Listened
Acts 10:17 (NKJV)
Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
“...Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant”
How many times did Peter see this vision? (Three times)
This was important!
The vision was preparing him for the arrival and ministry to Cornelius and his household!
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Friends, Peter was a Faithful believer!
We, like Peter are regular folks.
Some believers are young, others are older.
Some male, others women.
And some live in rural mountainous area and others find their homes among concrete and busy streets.
The questions is, “are we being faithful to the Lord where He placed us?”
I like to share the gospel online when I have an office day. One thing that I’ve noticed is that when I’m chatting with someone who says they are a believer, they’ll readily admit to me that they aren’t in church, reading their Bible daily, or praying.
They wonder why the Lord isn’t blessing them!
Are we faithful each day to the Lord in the small things so He’ll trust us with the bigger ones?
Friends, when we are faithful, the Lord will give us opportunities to serve Him
Peter was FAITHFUL. He was also:
Available
Available
Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
“…some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.”
Aren’t you so glad that the Holy Spirit had the foresight for Peter to bring these believers with him?
Take a look at Acts 11 where the church began to struggle with Gentiles coming to faith:
Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
When we are Available, we:
Obey
Obey
Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
When we are Available we:
Might Suffer Hardship
Might Suffer Hardship
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
They:
Had to trust the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Went with strangers
Had to spend the night somewhere
Had to trust that a Roman soldier wouldn’t harm them
But Peter was Available!!
What’s it look like for us to be available?
Maybe it’s saying ‘yes’ to a request from a neighbor.
Taking time out of our busy week to volunteer at a local school, assisted living, or food ministry.
Being available means we are putting the needs of others ahead of our own.
Availability is when our desire to serve the Lord and others is more often greater than our desire to serve ourselves.
Peter was FAITHFUL and AVAILABLE. He was also:
Teachable
Teachable
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Remember, which people group had been coming to the Lord prior to this? (Jewish)
Now the Lord has blessed the Gentiles with saving faith.
Listen to Deuteronomy 10:17.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
God doesn’t show partiality to anyone.
Peter remembered that the Lord commanded them to preach the gospel to all nations.
And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Look with me to Acts 10:36
The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
“He is Lord of all”
Friends, Peter didn’t have to learn something new, he simply needed a reminder of a truth he’d already been taught.
We all need this don’t we? This is one reason we join together for worship each Sunday. We sing songs we may have memorized and read and preach from texts most of us have heard before.
We need reminders of God’s promises and of those things He’s commanded us to do.
Are you teachable? Do you remember that you and I have been called to share the Good News of the gospel with our neighbors, family, and community?
Often times we’ll use every excuse in the book.
I don’t know enough.
I’m too shy.
I’m too old/young.
This church has too many who can do it better.
This church doesn’t have anyone who will help me.
When you have some time, listen to the testimony on the sheet of paper I’ve handed out. ONE street evangelist made a powerful impact on the Kingdom of God and didn’t even know it!
Peter was FAITHFUL, AVAILABLE, TEACHABLE, and:
Reproducible
Reproducible
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Why would they desire Peter to stay on a few extra days? (They wanted to learn more!)
This desire for the Christian to learn more is:
Commanded in scripture.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2. A nature desire among those who are born again.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Friends, it’s our Lord’s desire that we know Him and tell others.
Let me close with a scripture from 2 Tim 2:2
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Notice the number of generations Paul encourages Timothy to reproduce.
Starts with Paul
Moves to Timothy
Then to faithful men
And then from these on to others.
When we think spiritual reproduction, we should begin with four generations in mind.
Believer, who do you have in your life that is ready to be discipled? Maybe a friend, neighbor, or relative.
Maybe you don’t have anyone. Would you commit to praying daily for the Lord to send you another person to disciple?
Remember, Peter’s example teaches us that the believer is to be FAITHFUL, AVAILABLE, TEACHABLE, AND REPRODUCIBLE.