34 “And Peter opened his mouth, and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; 35 but 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 36 by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judæa, beginning 37 from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached, even Jesus of Nazareth, how that God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with 38 Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they 39 slew, hanging Him on a tree. Him God raised up the third 40 day, and gave Him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. 41 And He charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is He which is ordained of God to be the Judge of 42 quick and dead. To Him bear all the prophets witness, that 43 through His name every one that believeth on Him shall receive remission of sins.”
44 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on 45 all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the 46 Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the 47 water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to 48 be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Golden Text.— “God is no respecter of persons.” Verse 34.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Where did the incident related in this lesson occur? Under what circumstances did Peter come to be there? What were the opening words of his discourse? Verse 34. Note 1. (2) What constitutes acceptance with God? What about nationality? Verse 35. Note 2. (3) What word did God send to the children of Israel? Verse 36. (4) To what extent had this word been published? From what time? Verse 37. (5) What did this word say of Jesus of Nazareth? How had He accomplished so much good? Verse 38. Note 3. (6) Of what were Peter and his brethren witnesses? Verse 39. (7) What had God done after Jesus was thus slain? Verse 40. (8) To whom was Christ’s manifestation restricted after His resurrection? Verse 41. (9) What commandment did He give to those witnesses? Verse 42. (10) Who had previously witnessed for Christ? What had they said of Him? Verse 43. (11) What wonderful thing occurred as Peter was speaking? Verse 44. (12) How were Peter’s companions affected? What was especially remarkable to them? Verses 45, 46. Note 4. (13) What then did Peter say? Verse 47. (14) What did he command? After baptism what request did the people make? Verse 48. Note 5.
NOTES.
1. The Situation.—This lesson commences so abruptly that a word of introduction seems necessary. Peter was at the house of Cornelius, the commander of the Roman garrison at Cæsarea. His soldiers were Italians. It was the policy of the Roman Government to garrison one part of the empire with troops from a distant part. Cornelius was not a Jew, but he was “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” An angel had appeared to Cornelius, and told him to send to Joppa for Peter, who would give him further instruction. Peter had been instructed through a vision to go to Cornelius. This had been necessary on account of Peter’s Jewish prejudice, not having yet fully understood that the Gospel was for the Gentiles. He had now appeared at the centurion’s house, and had been introduced to a considerable audience. His first announcement was the confession of his new conviction that “God is no respecter of persons.”
2. The redeemed host will be from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5:9; 14:6.
3. “God was with Him.” This is the key to all power to do good. Even Christ acknowledged that He was absolutely dependent upon the Father for the power which was manifested through His ministration. John 5:19, 30; 8:28. We can do nothing without Christ (ch. 15:5), but He says, “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.” Ch. 6:44.
4. A Notable Event.—The meeting at the home of Cornelius was in a measure a repetition of the scene on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. While there was no visible similitude, the presence of the Holy Ghost was manifest to, and acknowledged by, Peter and his six Jewish companions. One evidence that could not be mistaken was the gift of tongues. When Peter related the circumstance to the brethren at Jerusalem, he said, “As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” Acts 11:15. Thus the Lord Himself opened the door to the Gentiles, leaving His human ministers nothing to do but walk in and give the necessary instruction. So all the missionary has to do is to obey God, follow the leadings of the Spirit, and witness for Christ as the way is opened. Peter had laid no plans for this wonderful work; he had simply followed the leadings of the Spirit, and went in where neither he nor the council would have dreamed of trying to “waken an interest.”
5. Baptism.—We are often confronted with the argument that the baptism in water is rendered unnecessary by the baptism of the Spirit. But this ordinance was indorsed by the leadings of the Spirit after the outpouring on the day of Pentecost, and on this occasion of the introduction of the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit was not sent to annul anything that the Lord Himself had appointed. The more men are imbued with the Spirit, the greater will be their regard for the ordinance of the church. The Spirit was not given as an originator of doctrine, but as a guide to that which the Lord had already established. John 16:12-15.
[For further instruction see article in another column of the same title as the lesson.]
