He was led to read about the Roman Officer, Cornelius, who was not a Jew, so he was not under God’s Covenant with Abraham. He was also not a Christian when he was living a righteous life, so he was not covered under the New Testament Covenant (i.e. having the right to use the name of Jesus to pray to God). But the Bible recorded that God heard his regular prayers and took note of his righteous deeds (looking after the poor, livimng a life well respected even by the Jews).
What happened to Cornelius revealed God’s heart. He looks into man’s heart and man’s deed. True worshiper worships in truth and in spirit. Cornelius took the bother to learn all about God’s laws and practice them diligently. He truly fears God. He respects and honors God by maintaining a close relationship with God through his regular daily prayers, and a righteous relationship with men, giving honor to God. For example, he knows the time of public prayers at the temple of Jerusalem is three o clock in the afternoon and he also prays at that hour. He knows that God’s laws require charity and kindness in action to the poor and he obeys and carries out regularly. His belief and faith in action influence not only his own family and relatives, also his friends and even his subordinates/soldiers!
Wake up, church, God is looking for such men to honor His name! Stop your mere lip service or fantastic worship, singing lies, offering your unrepentant, un-regenerated selves which are totally unacceptable and unholy offerings (lame, blind, defective) to God. (Read Malachi and tremble)
__________________________Below are excerpts from Acts of the Apostles chapter 10, on what happened to Cornelius.
4 “And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!”
22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.”
24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
9 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross,[c] 40 but God raised him to life on the third day.
42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.
Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
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The end times countdown clock is ticking fast…Don’t presume anymore, church! Do you know that some poor men out there are crying out to God against your injustice, your unrighteousness? Why do you think Jesus reminds us of the narrow gate?
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