Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Acts chapter 10:34-41:
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Acts chapter 10:34-41:
V34-35: Peter now realises that God has shown him He has His people, not only from among the Jews but from ” every nation”, so clearly he does not see this as a “one-off” exception. Again, we must not take this verse to mean that Cornelius ( or anyone else ) has earned merit with God by their good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 remain the absolute truth about salvation – it is all by grace! Nevertheless, God is mindful of how people respond to every token of grace in their lives, as with Cornelius here.
V36-37: Now Peter begins to point them to Jesus, first declaring how God sent His Word first to Israel, proclaiming “the good news of peace through Jesus Christ “- Peter emphasises that Jesus is Lord of all, again declaring His divinity. This wonderful peace is spoken of in Romans 5:1, and Ephesians 2:14-16 – verses very relevant to what is happening here. He reminds them of what they are surely aware of, what happened in Judea and Galilee following John the Baptist’s ministry…
V38: …how God ” anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power”. Even God the Son, then, in His human nature and ministry, needed the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to equip Him – how much more do we!! He sums up the Lord’s ministry in terms of ” doing good” and healing, because truly God was with Him – He who was Himself ” Immanuel” – God with us!
V39: The importance of the witness of Peter and the other Apostles (” we”) is stressed – they were with Jesus, can testify to all that He did ( and said ) – and how he was then put to death on the cross ( the ” accursed death”, remember – Galatians 3:13 – where He bore the curse for all He would redeem.)
V40-41: They are also witnesses to the vital truth of the Resurrection, on which the whole hope of the gospel stands ( Romans 1:4: 1 Corinthians 15:14-20.) Their testimony is that of personal experience, and God has chosen them for this. Throughout Acts the Cross and the Resurrection are always proclaimed together, as they still should be.