April 20, 1904

Lessons from the Story of Cornelius—Part 3

EGW

“Repentance unto Life”

It was nearly two days before the journey to Caesarea was ended and Cornelius had the privilege of opening his doors to a Gospel minister, who, according to the assurance of God, was to teach him and his house the way of salvation. While the messengers were upon their errand, the centurion had gathered as many of his relatives as were accessible, that they, as well as he, might be instructed in the truth. When Peter arrived, a large company were gathered, eagerly waiting to listen to his words.ST April 20, 1904, par. 1

As Peter entered the house of the Gentile, Cornelius did not salute him as an ordinary visitor, but as one honored of heaven, and sent to him by God. It is an Eastern custom for persons to bow before a prince or other high dignitary, and for children to bow before their parents. But Cornelius, overwhelmed with reverence for the apostle, who had been delegated by God to instruct him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. Peter was horror-stricken, and he lifted the centurion to his feet, saying, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” He then began to talk with him familiarly, in order to remove the sense of awe and extreme reverence with which the centurion regarded him.ST April 20, 1904, par. 2

To Cornelius and those assembled in his house, Peter spoke of the custom of the Jews, saying that it was considered unlawful for them to mingle socially with the Gentiles, and that this involved ceremonial defilement. It was not prohibited by the law of God, but the tradition of men had made it a binding custom. “Ye know,” he said, “how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?”ST April 20, 1904, par. 3

Cornelius thereupon related his experience, and the words of the angel that had appeared to him in vision. In conclusion he said: “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.ST April 20, 1904, par. 4

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Altho God had favored the Jews above all other nations, yet if they rejected light and did not live up to their profession, they were no more exalted in His esteem than other nations. Those among the Gentiles, who, like Cornelius, feared God and worked righteousness, walking in the light they had, were kindly regarded by God, and their sincere service was accepted.ST April 20, 1904, par. 5

But the faith and righteousness of Cornelius could not be perfect without a knowledge of Christ; therefore God sent knowledge to him for the further development of his character. Many refuse to receive the light which God sends them, and, in excuse, quote the words of Peter to Cornelius, “In every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” They maintain that it is of no consequence what men believe, so long as their works are good. Such ones are in error. Faith and works must unite. We should advance with the light given us. If God brings us into connection with His servants who have received new truth, substantiated by His Word, we should accept this truth with joy. On the other hand, those who claim that their faith alone will save them, are trusting to a rope of sand; for faith is made perfect by good works.ST April 20, 1904, par. 6

To that company of attentive hearers Peter preached Christ,—His life, His miracles, His betrayal, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension, and His work in heaven as man's representative and advocate. As the apostle spoke, his heart glowed with the spirit of the truth that he was presenting. His hearers were charmed by the teaching they heard; for their hearts had been prepared to receive the truth. The talk was interrupted by the descent of the Holy Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost. “And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”ST April 20, 1904, par. 7

When the brethren in Judea heard that Peter had preached to the Gentiles, and had met with them, and eaten with them in their houses, they were surprised and offended. They feared that such a course, which looked to them presumptuous, would tend to contradict his own teachings. As soon as Peter visited them, they met him with severe censure, saying, “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”ST April 20, 1904, par. 8

Peter laid the whole matter before them. He related his experience in regard to the vision, and pleaded that it admonished him no longer to observe the ceremonial distinction of circumcision and uncircumcision, nor to look upon the Gentiles as unclean; for God was not a respecter of persons. He told them of the command of God to go to the Gentiles, the coming of the messengers, his journey to Caesarea, and the meeting with Cornelius, and the company assembled at his house. His caution was made manifest from the fact that, altho commanded by God to go to the Gentile's house, he had taken with him six of the disciples, as witnesses of all he should say or do while there. He recounted the substance of his interview with Cornelius, in which the latter had told him of his vision, wherein he had been directed to send messengers to Joppa to bring Peter to him, who would speak words whereby he and all his house might be saved.ST April 20, 1904, par. 9

“As I began to speak,” he said, in recounting his experience, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If then God gave unto them the like gift as He did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”ST April 20, 1904, par. 10

On hearing this account, the brethren were silenced. They were convinced that Peter's course was in direct fulfilment of the plan of God, and that their prejudices and exclusiveness were to be utterly destroyed by the Gospel. They held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”ST April 20, 1904, par. 11