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 Why
Send for Peter?
by Robert F. Turner
An angel appeared unto a man named Cornelius. This devout,
God-fearing, alms-giving man was praying to God — as was his
custom—when an angel of God appeared to him in a vision. (You can
read it for yourself— Acts 10)
According to popular conceptions this could mean hallucinations,
latter-day revelations, or special divine appointment. An even
greater number would say this proved that Cornelius was saved from
his sins—had experienced a "work of grace." I have heard of people
"voted into the church" on far less evidence. But the angel was none
of these things to Cornelius.
The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter, who shall "tell thee
what thou oughtest to do;" or "tell thee words, whereby thou and all
thy house shall be saved." (See Acts 11:13-f.)
Prayers, alms, and devoutness notwithstanding, this man still needed
to be saved. Christianity is far more than good citizenship, moral
uprightness, or even respect for God. A Christian has all of this,
and more; but these things are found among many who have not yet
become followers of Jesus Christ and hence have neither salvation
from past sins nor hope for Heaven. This lesson is especially needed
by those who have placed their hope for Heaven in the "Great
Architect" and welfare work of a lodge.
But why send for Peter? Could not the angel tell Cornelius all he
needed to know? Or the Holy Spirit—did not this miraculous
out-pouring do all that should be done for him?
When Peter began to speak (11:15) the Holy Spirit was indeed poured
out upon these Gentiles—a marvelous thing for Peter and those Jews
with him to behold. Until recently they had thought the gospel was
for Jews only. (See 10:9-16, 25-29; 11:1-4) It took this
demonstration of divine acceptance (as subjects of the gospel) to
convince the Jews that the gospel was for all nations.
(10:44-f.11:15-f)
But now that they were proven proper subjects of the gospel, there
remained the task of preaching: to them, and urging those who would
to obey. People must be taught of God; so they may hear, learn and
come. (Jn. 6:45) We draw nigh to God through the word of
reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:17-f.)
What the angel or Holy Spirit could do was hedged about by divine
regulations. God had placed His truth in "earthen vessels" (2 Cor.
4:7) that its divine origin might be the more apparent. It was not
His will then or now that heavenly messengers deliver the story of
salvation to the world. It was "once for all" delivered to inspired
men, and through them to the written form in which we now find it.
(Jude 3, Eph. 3:1-f. 2 Pet. 1:14-f.)
Peter did exactly what God intended he should do. the preached the
good news of Christ to Cornelius and his household, and baptized
those who gladly received the word. Note, He commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48)
Cornelius was not saved -- was not a Christian—until he heard,
believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ. ~
Plain Talk, Vol. 1, No. 7; July, 1964
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 The
Widow's MitesDoes it matter what we contribute to the
collection for the saints? Yes. But it’s not the gift, but the heart
behind the gift. As the Lord was watching those who were dropping
money into the treasury of the Temple, He remarked about one woman,
a widow, who had only deposited two of the smallest coins available
in the Roman Empire. Although she gave less than all the others who
gave that day, she was singled out because she had given all that
she had. Her heart was set to do all that she could and more, and
rely upon the Lord, the Giver of all gifts who is “able to make all
grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in
all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2
Corinthians 9.8) ~
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Abraham: The Friend of God
by Gene Taylor
"'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God." (James 2:23)
Abraham is called the father of the faithful (Gal. 3:16-29; Rom.
4:11) and "the friend of God" (Jas. 2:23). He is an example to us in
many ways, therefore, it is always good to study him and learn from
that which the Bible reveals to us about him.
In commenting on the statement that Abraham was "the friend of God,"
Guy N. Woods said, "God regarded Abraham as his friend because he
was ever faithful to God and always submitted his will to God's." (A
Commentary on the Epistle of James, p. 146) In his faithfulness and
obedience, Abraham demonstrated several characteristics that we
would do well to emulate so that we too might become friends of God.
Faithful
Nearly every action in Abraham's life shows his great faith in God.
He left his country and countrymen never to return (Heb. 11:8-16).
He believed the promise of a son though such a birth was naturally
impossible (Rom. 4:18-21). He cast out a son, Ishmael when Sarah and
God commanded it (Gen. 21:9-14). He was even willing to offer Isaac,
the son of promise, when God demanded it (Heb. 11:17-19). Because of
his great faith, he enjoyed the victory of faith (Gen. 22:12).
Obedient
As seen in the illustrations above, whatever God wanted Abraham to
do, he did. Whether it was leaving his homeland, casting out one son
or sacrificing another, he obeyed God without question or qualm.
Devoted
In Genesis 18:19 God states one of the reasons He was able to bless
Abraham so abundantly and regard him as His friend. He said, "For I
have known him, in order that he may command his children and his
household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do
righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what
He has spoken to him." Abraham's devotion to God not only caused him
to walk obediently but also allowed him to influence others,
especially those in his own house, to do the same.
Peaceable
In situations where strife could have occurred and then escalated,
Abraham seemed able to defuse them (cf. Gen. 13:1-13). There was one
key trait in his character that caused him to be able to be such a
peacemaker— he regarded others better than self. This is a quality
that the Christian is to possess today. Philippians 2:3-4 states,
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let
each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for
the interests of others."
His unselfish nature is not only seen in giving his nephew Lot first
choice of land in which to pasture his flocks and herds (Gen. 13:9)
but also in his willingness to intercede for the people of Sodom and
Gomorrah (Gen. 18:22-23). Even though they were wicked, Abraham was
concerned for them and did what he could to spare them from the
judgment which came upon them.
The hospitality he gives to three men, who are angels of God, in
Genesis 18:1-8 also shows his regard for others. Though he does not
know these men, he generously provides for their needs. Since
Christians are to be "given to hospitality" (Rom. 12:13), the writer
of the book of Hebrews uses this incident in the life of Abraham to
emphasize this responsibility: "Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels"
(13:2).
A Pilgrim and Sojourner
Christians are to be pilgrims and sojourners in this life, living in
the world but not being of the world (John 15:19; I John 2:15-17).
Again, Abraham is their example. "By faith he (Abraham -- GT) dwelt
in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he
waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker
is God" (Heb. 11:9-10). As he looked "for a city," we must ever be
looking to heaven and the things that are above (Col. 3:1-3)
realizing that, even now, our real citizenship is in heaven (Phil.
3:20).
Conclusion
Because Abraham lived as a friend of God while on earth, he now
lives in Paradise (Luke 16:23-31). Since God is no respecter of
persons (Acts 10:34-35), we can have that same hope if we will live
the same life. Let us all follow the example of Abraham and do what
is necessary to be those who can be called friends of God. ~
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The
Widow's Mites