The Message that Changed the World

Acts

To the Jew First…. Romans 1:16

• Pure Jew by Race

• Part Jew by Race (Samaritans)

• Jew by Religion (Proselyte)

And Also to the Greek… Romans 1:16

God’s Mystery

“to be specific that the Gentiles are fellow heirs andfellow members of the body and fellow partakers ofthe promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

- Eph 3:6

But Gentiles Receiving the Word Created Quite A Problem!

Jewish Christians Took Issue with Peter

“You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Acts 11:1-3

Cornelius was a “God-fearer”

The term "God Fearer" or "one who fears God" was a termthat was used to describe the Gentile who believed in theone true God and denied the idols and foreign gods of theGentile world.

They represented a group of Gentiles who shared religiousideas with Jews, to one degree or another. However, theywere not converts, but a separate Gentile community,engaged in Jewish religious ideas and practices.

Jewish Contact With Gentiles

though they allowed of trade and commerce with

the Gentiles, yet not any familiar conversation with them; it was prohibited to eat and drink any sort of liquor with them in their houses, nor might they walk with them in the streets, or on the road; says Maimonides (Talmud expert)

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Excluded to Included

Peter’s Argument in “Orderly Sequence” Acts 11:4ff

1 Peter’s vision: Told 3x to Eat Unclean Food vs. 5-102 3 (unclean) men appeared vs. 11; cp. 10:28-293 Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings vs. 124 Cornelius’ report of his vision of an angel vs. 13-145 Holy Spirit fell on Gentiles as on Jews vs. 15-17; 10:47-11:1

Reaction of Jewish Christians: quieted down, glorified God,concluding that God would save Gentiles vs. 18

From Excluded to IncludedEphesians 2

• Separate from Christ 12

• Excluded from Israel 12

• Strangers 12

• No Hope 12

• Without God 12

• Far Off 13

• Access to Father 18

• Fellow-citizens 19

• No longer strangers 19

• Reconciled, peace 16-17

• Of God’s household 19

• Brought Near 14

From Excluded to IncludedEphesians 2

One New Man 15

One Body 16

One Holy Temple 20-22

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved

A Contrast with the Conversion of Saul

Saul: no one is too bad to be saved

Cornelius: no one is good enough not to need salvation

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to SavedWhat Kind of Man Was Cornelius? Acts 10

Devout 2

Feared God 2, 22

Led his household to fear God 2

Gave many alms to the Jewish people 2,4

Prayed to God continually 2,4

Righteous 22

Good reputation among entire nation 22

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to SavedWhat Kind of Man Was Cornelius?

A LOST SINNER!Acts 11:14

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to SavedAll of This Could Not Atone For Cornelius’ Sins!

Devout 2

Feared God 2, 22

Led his household to fear God 2

Gave many alms to the Jewish people 2,4

Prayed to God continually 2,4

Righteous 22

Good reputation among entire nation 22

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved

“Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know, these for sin could not atone, Thou must save, and Thou alone;In my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”

- A.M. Toplady (“Rock of Ages)

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to Saved

Words By Which You Will Be Saved;God’s Power to Salvation to the Jew first- also to the Greek

Acts 11:14; Rom 1:16

“The word which He sent to the sons of Israel,preaching peace through Jesus Christ…

Acts 10:36-43

The Message that Changed the World:

Cornelius: From Sinner to SavedGospel Must be Received By the Sinner

Acts 10:47-11:1

Baptism is the time

-of acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice,-of forgiveness -of transition from sinner to saved

Will You Receive the Gospel?

• You need salvation; no one can be “good enough”

• Do you believe in Jesus? 10:43

• Are you willing to repent of your sins? 11:18

• Will you obey Jesus’ order to be baptized? 10:48

Will You Receive the Gospel?

Let the gospel that changed the world-

that changed Cornelius-

changed you from sinner to saved today!