A Saving Gospel For The World

Introduction

We have arrived at a moment in history that was pivotal to the spread of the Gospel and the mission statement of the New Testament Church. Even though Jesus had given the first century church their Great Commission, there was lacking a complete understanding of what He meant when he said, “go ye into all the world.”

1) Godliness Is Not Enough

Verses 1-8

Cornelius:

Centurion of the Italian Regiment.

Feared God; his whole household.

Gave generous donations to the Jewish people.

Faithfully prayed to God since he was not permitted to make offerings in the temple.

He had grown tired of pagan myths and empty religion. He turned to Judaism in hopes to experience salvation. You could say, Cornelius was a ready field for spiritual harvest.

As you can see, God had readied his heart to receive the truth about Jesus.

At some point in his life, he responded positively to the sovereign initiative of God.

However, even though he was sincere in his generosity to the Jewish people, obedience to God and his fasting, he had yet to be born-again.

A. God’s instructions in spite of godly living.

Acts 10:4 (KJV 1900): Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

In short, we see how God is faithful to continue to guide those who are seeking God!

The big difference between Cornelius and others who follow a false religion, is that he knew his wasn’t sufficient for salvation.

Many religious people today are satisfied that their character and good works will get them to heaven, and they have no concept either of their own sin or of God’s grace. In his prayers, Cornelius was asking God to show him the way of salvation (Acts 11:13–14). — Warren Wiersbe

(vv.4-6) There was something Cornelius was lacking in order for him to be considered righteous before God and escape future wrath.

God had a man who knew and experienced what he needed to know and experience.

Notice the faithfulness of God to sovereignly work on both the saint and sinner.

Let this be a great motivator for our faithfulness to the great commission of our Master.

Acts 10:23–33 (BEC): Wherever there is a searching heart, God responds. This is why it is essential that we as God’s children obey His will and share His Word. You never know when your witness for Christ is exactly what somebody has been waiting and praying for. — Warren Wiersbe

2) God Corrects Peter’s Paradigm

Verses 9-22

The Apostle Peter:

He was faithful to the Jewish faith; looking forward to the coming of Messiah.

He was one of the original chosen 12.

He was an eye witness of Jesus (pre-resurrection and post-resurrection)

Up till now, he was still steeped in many Jewish traditions (ie diet laws and non association with Gentiles).

In other words, he was still under the influence of Jewish paradigms.

A. God’s blanket of truth

God had a message for Peter that would shape forever the core mission statement of the church.

The message was — there is no difference between Jew or Gentile. All are in need of Gospel of Jesus.

This was at first difficult for Peter to comprehend.

Up until now, Peter (due to Jewish paradigm) had shied away from associating with any Gentile or Gentile nation.

Up until now, Peter had not realized the danger and down fall a paradigm of old tradition could cause for Gospel ministry.

However, God told Peter to go forward not doubting the change that had come to him.

As always, there was potential for Peter to respond in two ways:

My people have never done this before and I am going to allow their paradigm to shape my response toward reaching should with the Gospel.

The Gospel now shapes my paradigm! Therefore, I will go forward with an open mind on how to reach all people with the Gospel message.

Notice Peter’s response in a few places:

(v23) He invited these Gentiles into the place where he was staying.

(v23) He agreed to go with them.

(v28-29) He refused to be shaped by the traditional Jewish paradigm!!!

Peter was resolved to accept what ministry was to look like NOW.

Let’s think about the Gospel itself:

It flies in the face of man-centered customs, traditions, and religion.

The church today is always vulnerable to the disease of man’s narrow minded paradigms.

These can range from perspectives about methods, preaching style, music, the decor of the building, the preacher’s attire, etc…

These kind of f paradigm come is phrases like: the OLD TIME RELIGION was when God moved / the OLD TIME PREACHING is when people got saved / the OLD TIME HYMS are the songs that God uses.

3) The Gospel MUST Be Told!

Verses 23-43

The Father’s public approval.

Peace with the Father only comes through Jesus Christ.

It was Jesus who came to the poor, doing good, and delivering those oppressed by the devil.

Peter claimed he himself to be an eye witness.

Jesus died unjustly, gave up His life willingly, and rose again victoriously.

Jesus rose again by the power of God.

Jesus revealed Himself to chosen witnesses after the resurrection.

Without the message of the Gospel being heard there will never be a coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

There can be no faith apart from the hearing of God’s Word!

Romans 10:14-17 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

We see here that makes no distinction between Jew or Gentile when it comes to who can be saved.

Acts 10:34–43 (BEC): To “fear God and work righteousness” is a description of the Christian life. To fear God is to reverence and trust Him (Micah 6:8). The evidence of this faith is a righteous walk. — Warren Wersbie

Acts 10:34–43 (BEC): Peter made it clear that Israel was God’s instrument for accomplishing His work (Acts 10:36), but that Jesus is “Lord of all,” and not just Lord of Israel. From the very founding of the nation of Israel, God made it clear that the blessing would be from Israel to the whole world (Gen. 12:1–3). — Warren Wres ice