| My friend, Peter, was an amazing leader when he | | | | Christ was pouring out The Holy Spirit upon those |
| was alive. He did things that some other men | | | | who were NOT Jews - on people who were not |
| would not have attempted. He did risks that | | | | of their denomination. |
| made some of his colleagues raise their eyebrows | | | | How did these people know that Jesus had |
| in shock. | | | | poured out The Holy Spirit - that Jesus had |
| Let me tell you of what happened when he was | | | | baptised these Gentiles in The Holy Spirit? They |
| in the home of Roman Army Officer, Cornelius, in | | | | heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying |
| steamy Caesarea by the Mediterranean coast. I | | | | God. These people were praising God in languages |
| have wandered round this area on various visits. | | | | they had never learned. They were worshipping |
| We read of this incident in Acts Chapter 10 in the | | | | The Living God. |
| New Testament. It is worth reading if you do not | | | | Never compromise. Never dilute your doctrine. |
| know the story. Not only is it great literature, but | | | | Never water down your message about God and |
| it is true. | | | | Jesus Christ. Peter spoke powerfully and with |
| In verse 34, Cornelius, the head of the Roman | | | | specific essential content in the home of Cornelius, |
| garrison, invites Peter to speak. Peter has to say | | | | the Roman Centurion. Take time to read the full |
| what Almighty God has inspired him to say. Peter | | | | account of what happened. |
| begins to address all those who have gathered in | | | | This is not reserved for those who have been |
| the home of Roman Centurion, Cornelius. Do read | | | | believers for years and who having been seeking |
| this passage. | | | | and searching in a manner which almost makes |
| "I have just seen a great truth. God is no | | | | them deserve to be blessed. |
| respecter of persons. God shows no favouritism." | | | | This happened among these men and women in |
| This is quite a transformation in Peter's thinking. | | | | Caesarea, as part of their being birthed into The |
| He goes on - and refers to the fear of God - | | | | Kingdom of God. They were being 'Born Again' |
| which is a healthy fear. It is like fearing the | | | | and this was part of their initiation. It happened at |
| dangerous traffic - having a healthy respect for | | | | the very beginning of their Christian lives. |
| fast-moving cars, trucks and lorries. If you ignore | | | | Peter then deals with the essential area of |
| them or overlook their presence - you could get | | | | baptising these new believers. He commands that |
| hurt. But at the same time you don't permit the | | | | they are baptised in water. Leaders are unafraid |
| fear to paralyse you on the pavement (or | | | | to command when it is right and proper to do so |
| sidewalk) and so are unable to move. | | | | - so that new believers in Jesus have everything |
| We are called to reverence - fear - and respect | | | | they require in their foundation. |
| God - and we do not want to displease Him by | | | | Cornelius is a new man - a new Creation. He is |
| doing wrong. It was this that made God listen to | | | | born again - filled with The Holy Spirit - |
| and hear Cornelius's prayer. But this did not make | | | | manifesting the gifts of The Holy Spirit - and |
| him a Christian, nor satisfy his spiritual thirst. | | | | praising God. |
| When Peter sees that Cornelius is seeking and | | | | They received what we received, and what |
| searching, he then begins to speak about Jesus | | | | people continue to receive today, and it comes |
| Christ. | | | | from God and remember that God only has good |
| Peter speaks about Jesus' life and ministry. He | | | | gifts for His children. |
| tells the facts about Jesus - how Jesus was | | | | The consequence is praising God. Those who |
| anointed - how Jesus went around doing good and | | | | have the life of the Spirit within them wish to |
| healing people, and then how Jesus was crucified | | | | praise the God Who gives them life. They have |
| and raised from the dead. | | | | come to believe. They have received The Holy |
| Peter speaks about Jesus as being the Judge. God | | | | Spirit. They have been baptised in water, and all |
| has appointed Jesus Christ to be the Judge. Peter | | | | this takes place within a very short period. |
| doesn't water down or dilute his preaching in this | | | | They ask Peter to stay on a few days. O, for a |
| new setting. | | | | tape or a DVD of the conversations and teaching |
| Peter doesn't compromise his message to suit a | | | | which must have flowed during that time. |
| new audience, but preaches the truth - the truth | | | | These two men are no longer poles apart - and |
| of God. Peter speaks about all the prophets | | | | only Jesus could have done this. |
| pointing to Jesus, and everyone who comes to | | | | This is God's Way - God's Answer - for The |
| believe in Him receives forgiveness of sins, | | | | Church - for peoples who are separated and |
| through His Name. | | | | divided - and who are willing to set aside all |
| While Peter is speaking - in the middle of his | | | | traditions, prejudices and philosophies. |
| message - Jesus pours out The Holy Spirit upon | | | | Have you received all that Cornelius and those in |
| all who are listening. The small group of Jewish | | | | his household received? Are there still barriers, |
| believers who accompanied Peter are astonished | | | | walls, or even prejudices, with which our living God |
| and astounded. They are shocked, that Jesus | | | | has yet to deal? |