05.11. CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS

THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS

It is natural for man to worship. He was made so by the Creator who demands that He manifest his reverence and pay homage to him. It is an outstanding fact that man unaided is not capable of "directing his steps." The heathen in his ignorance furnishes examples of his lack of progress. Take from the world the Bible, and its influence, and the world of man is at sea without chart or compass. It is to be regretted that some overlook the influence of the Bible, even though they may not believe the claims made of the Book. There are products of the Bible so often overlooked. (See Sound Doctrine, Vol. 4, Lesson 1.

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (Hebrews 11:4). Because Abel’s sacrifice was "by faith"we know it was one that was commanded (Romans 10:17). Instead of bringing the sacrifice God commanded, Cain substituted, bringing an unauthorized sacrifice, and it was "rejected." (Genesis 4:3-5). Be careful not to commit a presumptuous sin. Do not presume to substitute something for what God commanded.

Noah was a righteous man, (Genesis 6:1-22), and he and his family were saved from the waters of the flood. (Genesis 7:1-24, Genesis 8:1-22). From his loins the earth was repeopled. The efforts of his descendants were thwarted in the plans they had in building the Tower of Babel. (Genesis 11:1-32).

Abraham was a righteous man—he worshiped God acceptably. (See Lesson on Abraham, Sound Doctrine, Volume 1, Pp. 50-70). The descendants of Abraham were called "Hebrews." May we call the others "Gentiles." To the Hebrews Jehovah gave a religion designed especially for them. True he made provisions by which the "Gentiles" could become, religiously, "Hebrews"—that is worship as did the "Hebrews." It was not mandatary that Gentiles worship as did the Hebrews; nor were the Gentiles reprobated to eternal ruin when God gave the special system of religion to the Hebrews. The Gentiles who worshiped as did the Hebrews were called "proselytes."

Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God but not a descendant of Abraham. Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-19). "The less is blessed of the better" (Hebrews 7:7). Melchizedek was not "better" than Abraham in point of morals; but his position as a priest was "better" than that of Abraham. You will recall the history of Balak in his effort to have Balaam come to Him and curse Israel. It was a "Gentile" he called, but a servant of Jehovah. THE LIMITED COMMISSION In the Limited Commission, (Matthew 10:1-42; Mark 3:1-35, Luke 6:1-49), the Master circumscribed the field in which the apostles were to labor, forbidding them to go to the Gentiles, or the Samaritans. (See Samaritans, Sound Doctrine, Vol. 2, Pp 117-119). Jesus said: "I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:15-17). Were the "other sheep" the Gentiles which worshiped Jehovah?

CORNELIUS

Caesarea was a city on the Mediterranean Sea where a great harbor was built, thirty miles northwest of Joppa. In many respects it was a remarkable city, named in honor of Caesar. Cornelius in command of a company of one hundred soldiers was stationed in Caesarea, to keep the Jews in subjection in that section of Palestine. Palestine at the time had been captured by the Romans. The number of soldiers under Cornelius were, normally, one hundred, though at times the number was more, and sometimes less than the one hundred soldiers. His company was called the "Italian band." (Most likely they were soldiers from Rome, Italy.) Not only was Cornelius a soldier, he was also a religious man; charitable, with a good report among the Jews, whom he was charged to keep in subjection. (Acts 10:22). He was a man of prayers—he prayed "always;" and his prayers came before Jehovah as a memorial. Being associated with the Jews it is possible he observed the same hours of prayers they did. Surely, he was a good man. Touching his moral character there is not a charge against him in the record; yet he was an unsaved man. Christianity demands all that is in the moral code, plus obedience to the commands of Christ in worship. WAS CORNELIUS A PROSELYTE?

Some entertain the view that Cornelius had become a proselyte, that he had become a Jew, religiously—had accepted the religion of the Jews. Is there any well-founded ground for such a view? The position is not in harmony with the facts given. (See Acts 10:28-34; Acts 11:1; Acts 15:7). The Jews were commended to love the stranger within their gate (Leviticus 19:33-34). That the Jews did associate with the proselytes is evident. (Luke 7:3; Acts 14:1). Had Cornelius been a proselyte there would have been no hesitance on Peter’s part in visiting him; nor question on the part of Christians that the gospel was to be preached to him, nor astonishment that he became a Christian. On Pentecost, the initial day of the Christian Dispensation, proselytes were present. (Acts 2:10). One of the seven who was chosen to serve in the church in Jerusalem was a proselyte. (Acts 6:5).

Though Cornelius was a "Devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2), he was an unsaved man.

ONE MAY WORSHIP JEHOVAH, AND NOT BE SAVED

There is a widespread view among professed Christians that if one is honest, conscientious, and worships Jehovah, and his Christ, the person is saved. That such a view is not necessarily true is clearly taught in the Scriptures. Jesus said: "In vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men." (Matthew 15:9). That which is "vain" is fruitless, unprofitable." It is empty and brings no desirable results. It is not the province of man to outline for you the acts of acceptable worship: nor is it yours to determine by your reasoning, or preference, what to do as acts of worship. Recall the history of Cain. (Genesis 4:1-26). Enroute to Athens, Greece, Paul passed an altar erected by the Athenians, bearing the inscription: "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD." In his discourse to them Paul said: "I declare unto you the very God whom ye ignorantly worship." Though the people of Greece had many gods (idols), at the time they recognized the fact that there was a Great God, more powerful than any of their gods. When suffering from some great calamity, and sacrifices to the gods they had names for brought no relief, they decided it was the most powerful of all Gods, the God for whom they had no name; and to him they would turn. They were pointedly told that their worship was "vain," for it was in ignorance—it was not the worship God commanded, for he commands that one worship "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). Though they recogniz­ed there was a great God, above all the gods they had named, and though they worshiped him, they were commanded to repent, if they would find their acts of devotion availing. It was necessary for them to worship as God commanded. Do not deceive yourself with the thought that to worship is enough. (Acts 17:22-30). Be careful to worship in spirit, and as the truth directs. Too many go through a cold, lifeless rote, mechanically doing what men have commanded. "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath the Father and the Son." (2 John 1:9). AN ANGEL APPEARS UNTO CORNELIUS An angel appeared to Cornelius, saying: "Send men to Joppa, and fetch Simon, who is sirnamed Peter; he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side." (Acts 10:5-6). "Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto you words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house." (Acts 11:13-14.) Cornelius was not a saved man at that time.

CORNELIUS SENDS FOR PETER

Unhesitatingly Cornelius sends for Peter. When the committee sent by Cornelius reached the house where Peter was lodged, in Joppa, thirty miles south of Caesarea, Peter was on the house top where he had seen a vision, and received a message from God, telling him of the approach of the men seeking him, and to go with them, "doubting nothing." The men from Cornelius were received, entertained through the night, and the following day, Peter, with six Jewish brethren accompained them to the house of Cornelius. Cornelius had assembled his relatives, and near friends, and with them was awaiting the arrival of Peter. Cornelius met Peter, fell at his feet and worshiped him. No, no, it was not the worship that Cornelius gave Jehovah; but such as orientals in their social customs gave, denoting marked respect, or honor. Peter bade him arise; asking for what purpose he had been invited to his home. Cornelius recited the incidents and messages he had received, and added: "We are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord." (Acts 10:33). He was anxious to be saved, and had been told that Peter would tell him words whereby he and his house could be saved. (Acts 11:14).

PETER’S SERMON

"And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but that in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)—that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem: whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be manifest, not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us who ate and drank with him after he arose from the dead. And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name everyone that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:34-43).

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word" (Acts 10:44), PROMISE OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT

"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28). The outpouring of the Spirit upon "all flesh" must be limited. There is "flesh" of men, birds, beasts, fish. (1 Corinthians 15:39.) So far as we know no one thinks the promise contemplated birds, beast, fish. The term "all flesh" in the passage must have reference to men. But does it mean "all" men? There are men who are murderers, gamblers, drunkards, thieves, liars, fornicators. Is it thought that The Holy Spirit is to be poured out on such characters, or does the term "all flesh" in the promise contemplate only all nations—Jews and Gentiles. On the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles—Jews, in Jerusalem; and was the fulfillment of at least a portion of the prophecy of Joel; and when poured out on the Gentiles, at the house of Cornelius, the prophecy was fulfilled in its entirety. The Spirit was poured out on the apostles, Jews, on Pentecost, and on the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius, thus on "all flesh." Peter says the Spirit fell on the house of Cornelius as on "us at the beginning" that is on Pentecost. (Acts 11:15). The converts in Samaria, when Peter and John laid their hands on them received the Spirit by the imposition of the hands of the apostles. (Acts 8:14-17). The spirit came direct on the apostles; it came direct on the house of Cornelius. The Samaritans received the Spirit by the im­position of the hands of apostles.

WHY WAS THE SPIRIT POURED OUT ON CORNELIUS?

When the Spirit fell on the Cornelius group, and they began to speak with tongues—to speak languages they had not learned, the Jews with Peter were amazed that on the Gentiles was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit, (Acts 10:44-46), and Peter inquired: "Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?" (Acts 10:47).

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT The first promise of a baptism in the Holy Spirit was made by John the Immerser. (Matthew 3:11). After his resurrection Jesus made reference to this promise of John, saying: "Ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence." (Acts 1:5). A few days later the apostles were in Jerusalem, in keeping with the order of the Lord (Luke 24:44-49); when the Holy Spirit fell on them, and not only so, they were also baptized in the Holy Spirit. They received infinitely more than the Cornelius group received. The Master had promised the apostles that when the Holy Spirit came to them he would teach them "all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you." (John 14:26). And more, the Lord promised the apostles "When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all the truth and declare unto you the things that are to come." (John 16:13-14). That Cornelius did not receive all that was given to the apostles, is very evident to the Bible student. By some it has been contended that since the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius before he was baptized it is evidence that he was saved before his baptism in water. One would be as logical, and as near the truth, were he to insist that since Cornelius was to hear the word by Peter, and believe, and the Spirit fell on Cornelius as Peter began to speak, he was saved before he believed. (Acts 11:15; Acts 15:7).

It is a fact that the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius before he was baptized in water. It is also a fact that the falling of the Spirit on Cornelius was a miracle: and most certainly it is true that such miracles do not now occur. It must follow then that the falling of the Spirit on the Cornelius group was an exception, and not the usual occurrence in the execution of the Great Commission, hence is no part of the execution of the Great Commission, but was a special case, and for a special purpose. The Spirit did not fall on the apostles to convert them, nor did it fall on Cornelius to convert him, but to convince the Jews that the Gentiles were gospel subjects. The Great Commission: Preach the gospel to all nations, to every creature: "He that believeth and isbaptizedshall be saved" (Mark 16:15-16.)

QUESTIONS.