While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
While Peter was still preaching Christ — his life, death, resurrection, heavenly ministry, and forgiveness through faith — the Holy Spirit fell on all the Gentiles listening in Cornelius's house at Caesarea, interrupting his sermon. Those hearers were uncircumcised strangers to Israel whose hearts were prepared, attentive, and faithful to the little light they had while praying for more. The gift was the same power, blessing, and witness poured out on Jewish believers at Pentecost, shown by speaking in other tongues and magnifying God. By it God showed He had accepted believing Gentiles who fear Him and do right just as He had accepted Jews, purifying their hearts by faith with no distinction of persons. The outpouring opened the gospel and the church to the Gentiles on perfect equality without circumcision or ceremonial rites, and led at once to their baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
Speech and Hearers
While Peter was yet speaking he was preaching about Jesus — His ministry and life, His miracles, His betrayal, crucifixion and death, His resurrection and ascension, and His work in heaven as man's representative and advocate, with forgiveness of sins through belief in Him. Those who heard the word were Cornelius, his household, and other Gentiles gathered in his home at Caesarea, uncircumcised hearers who had been strangers to Israel.
They listened attentively with hearts prepared to receive the truth. They had followed and lived up to the little light and few privileges they had, longing and praying for more light from heaven, and when Christ was revealed they received Him gladly. While Peter was still speaking the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the word, interrupting his discourse. That coming upon listening Gentiles was a great surprise to Peter and to the Jewish believers who had come with him.
The event was guided by visions by which God instructed His messengers what to speak, repeating the showing again and again. By angel ministration God set in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter into connection with inquiring souls who had all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light. In this God was preparing and correcting Peter to preach to the Gentiles, so that Peter himself was taught and converted in the transaction. Visions thus serve to comfort God's people and to correct error in keeping with Bible truth, not to provide a new rule of faith.
Spirit's Falling and Evidence
The falling described is the same promised blessing, power, gift and witness once given to Jewish believers at Pentecost and at the beginning, now poured out on Gentile hearers while the preaching was still in progress. What came upon the apostles then came upon those in the house at Caesarea as they listened, so that uncircumcised hearers received exactly what circumcised believers had received. The gift was received in answer to petition. Its evidence was speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance, and magnifying and praising God. That manifestation corroborates later experience by the experience of the early apostles recorded in the Word.
The Spirit comes both to consecrated preachers and to the people they serve. Preachers are to be so filled with the Spirit that they preach the Word under its inspiration, and so consecrated to God that His grace comes to them and to their hearers together. No human can impress the human heart; only God can do it, for He upholds His servants, gives them words to speak, and Himself impresses those words on hearts. The righteousness of Christ must go before such workers and the glory of the Lord be their rearward, and this alone is their strength and power to lead men and women to give their hearts to the Saviour.
Its coming brings genuine conversion and acceptance of divine principles. It is God granting the Gentiles repentance unto life. By it the apostles were prepared to accept Gentile converts into the church. The same work can reach people who hold high positions and have great influence, making them agents who share the light with others, especially people in their own neglected class.
Gentile Inclusion and Equality
The falling of the Spirit while Peter was still preaching about Christ showed that God had accepted Cornelius and the other Gentile hearers who heard him, just as He had accepted Jewish believers, and had included them among His people. They were uncircumcised Gentiles in Cornelius's household who had been strangers to Israel, yet they received the same gift as the Jews, which was confirmed when they spoke in tongues and praised God and which led at once to their baptism and overcame prejudice against them. It demonstrated that God accepted Gentiles who feared Him and did what was right.
God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him, with no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Their hearts were purified by faith and they were not regarded as inferior, for Christ's blood could cleanse them from all uncleanness. The outpouring upon all who heard came as a surprise to Peter, who had undertaken the duty with reluctance at every step as an exception done by divine revelation.
The event marked the opening of the gospel and of the Christian church to the Gentiles, the first important conversion among them. While Peter was preaching Christ's life, miracles, betrayal, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and work in heaven as man's representative and advocate, the Spirit fell on all who heard and interrupted the discourse, to the amazement of the Jewish believers with him who heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. The conversion of Cornelius and his household was the first-fruits of a widespread harvest of grace to be gathered in a heathen city, showing that the gospel was no longer restricted to the Jewish people.
Gentiles who believed were to stand on perfect equality with Jewish disciples in the blessings and privileges of the gospel. They shared its blessings on an equal footing without first observing circumcision and without being required to be circumcised to enter the church. Their receiving the same gift before water baptism showed that they were not to be treated as unclean or excluded by ceremonial distinctions.
The gift showed that Gentile converts were not to be burdened with circumcision or the rites of the ceremonial law. That law had been made void by Christ's crucifixion, and its rites were not to be imposed upon them. In this first gospel work among the Gentiles Peter accepted the meaning of the vision and helped remove the prejudice of Jewish Christians by not imposing those rites.
The outpouring was God's purpose to take away the barrier between Jew and Gentile so that both are joined to Jesus Christ by faith. Christ's death had already broken down that barrier, yet lingering apostolic prejudice and exclusiveness had excluded the Gentiles until this gift overturned it and showed that Peter could not oppose what God had done. Peter himself was taught and converted in the transaction, appointed to become the human instrument in the hands of heavenly agencies, and as pioneer he broke through the barriers of ages to teach the heathen world.
Baptism and Church Decision
The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and the other Gentile hearers while Peter was still preaching about Christ, before they were baptized with water. Their receiving the same gift as Jewish believers had received at Pentecost and at the beginning showed that God had accepted them and was opening the gospel to the Gentiles, so they were not to be treated as unclean or excluded by ceremonial distinctions. The gift was confirmed when they spoke in tongues and magnified and praised God, which amazed the Jewish believers who had come with Peter that the gift was poured out on Gentiles also. This outpouring interrupted Peter's discourse about Christ's life, miracles, betrayal, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and work in heaven as man's representative and advocate, and it led at once to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ as proof that Gentiles too could be baptized. Yet the Spirit's coming did not replace baptism, for faith, repentance, and baptism remain distinct steps in conversion.
By this gift God answered the question about receiving Gentiles and decided that they were accepted by Him, settling whether Gentile believers had to adopt Jewish requirements. The church council recognized this divine act of giving the Holy Ghost to Gentiles as they heard the word as God's answer and understood that it was their part to follow the guidance and direction of the Spirit. Peter could not oppose what God had done, since the gift demonstrated that God had accepted Gentile believers and overturned prejudice and exclusiveness. He had undertaken the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step, defending his action not on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the falling of the Holy Ghost was a great surprise to him.
The event marks an entirely new phase of the work of the Christian church in which the door many Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was thrown open. The conversion of Cornelius and his household was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, the first-fruits of a widespread harvest of grace to be gathered in a heathen city. From that household and that home a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
God's Guiding Method
The account holds up the kind of work God approves, sending more light to those who follow the light they already have. He answers the prayer of such a seeker by directing him to further gospel light, setting in operation a train of circumstances that brings him into connection with people able to teach him the truth. In this case Peter was brought by angel ministration into cooperation with inquiring souls who had all things in readiness to hear and receive advanced light. In every age He still brings honest hearts into connection with those of His people who can best reach their needs.
God knew Cornelius by name because Cornelius had received and improved all the light given him. He knew just where Cornelius lived and the spirit he possessed and every act of his life, marking his faithfulness in prayers and alms. Yet devout piety could not take the place of Christ, for neither prayer nor almsgiving can take the place of Him in whom all fullness dwells. Cornelius still needed an advance in faith and a new experience, receiving the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and becoming complete in Him in order to do his work intelligently.
God knew exactly where Peter was, lodging with one who was a tanner, and told Cornelius in detail where to find him and send for him. He gave every particular of how to find him, joining His church together through their connection. The light already imparted to Peter had to be carried by Peter to Cornelius and all his family.
It was God's plan not for an angel to impart the gospel light directly. The angel of the Lord could have preached the message himself, but that is not God's way. He sends chosen human messengers to those who need it, so that Gentiles receive the gospel through connection with them and the truth given to Peter is given by Peter to Cornelius. In this heaven and earth are united, with heavenly agencies and ministering angels cooperating with human agencies, and the work is carried forward by God's power, not human wisdom.
The simplicity of the Lord's plans for the advancement of His work shows His regard for every human being. Each person should treat his fellow as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth. Heaven is much nearer the Christian engaged in soul-saving than many suppose, with the agencies of heaven ever ready to cooperate with human agencies.
Mission Call Today
As God worked for Cornelius, so He works in every age for devout standard-bearers like him, men not fully informed of present truth yet fearing God and following accepted principles of righteousness. Their lives are a clear, pure, undefiled testimony for truth and righteousness, an example others might follow, and even in high positions of responsibility among accomplished worldly men they are bright and shining lights. As He worked for Cornelius, He prepares the way for these true standard-bearers to take the place of those given a knowledge of Bible truth who have disappointed the Saviour. They will be true to pure, holy principles in investigating the laws that rule the world, and will obtain a knowledge of God as Cornelius did through the visitation of angels from heaven. That they may obtain advanced light, God places them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word, calling men of nobility and influence to stand for God in true integrity and to testify by purity and nobility of character to the power of unadulterated principles, for in every age He brings honest hearts into connection with those of His people who by special knowledge and training can best reach their individual needs. The conversion of Cornelius and his household, when the Spirit fell on all who heard Peter's preaching after God sent messengers and set circumstances in motion to bring Peter to Cornelius so he could learn the truth, was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, and from that home a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
Cornelius of Caesarea represents men of means and position, stewards in trust, whom God sees and would connect with the church, for their sympathies are with His people. He represents men of nobility and influence who hold high positions and can become agents who share the light with others, especially people in their own neglected class, the Spirit bringing genuine conversion and acceptance of divine principles even among such. Because of the responsibilities they bear and the temptations that come in their stewardship, they need special labor and more determined, earnest effort, and it is often a heavier cross to work for them than for the poorer and more lowly ones. The threads that bind them to the world hold them there, and they lack the moral courage to take their position with the lowly ones, yet if converted they will give strength and solidity to the cause and become channels of light.
There are many such men as Cornelius in the world, and the Lord has many precious jewels in this dark world of sin, with souls in the churches much nearer the kingdom of heaven than is supposed. The simplicity of the Lord's plans shows the agencies of heaven ever ready to co-operate with human agencies, and proves that Gentiles who have not received the whole truth but serve God with sincere, earnest purpose, walking in all the light received, are accepted as acceptably as Jewish believers. This calls for readiness and personal efforts by God's servants, to whom He will guide with courage for the work as angels co-operate to bring these souls to the full light of truth. God knew just where Peter was to be found, lodging with one who was a tanner, and told Cornelius in detail where to find him and send for him. The angel could have given Cornelius the gospel message directly, but that is not God's way, for He works by connecting His church together so that the light He had given Peter would be given by Peter to Cornelius and all his family. This means believers must unify and come into close connection with Christ and with one another instead of standing apart, loving one another, dealing gently and justly and righteously, coming into close connection with God, giving Him room and place, working on Christ's heavenly principles, and imparting to one another what God has given, and then the salvation of God will be revealed.
Far more earnest, devoted, determined efforts should be made for such associations as the W.C.T.U., that light may shine to honest souls as honest as Cornelius who are seeking light and longing for it. It was the Lord's design that work be done for Cornelius by setting in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter through angel ministration into co-operation with inquiring souls who had all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light, that those seeking light might be gathered out from those bitterly opposed to the message God is giving to the world. Peter undertook the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step, defending his action not on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the falling of the Holy Ghost on Cornelius and his household was a great surprise to him. Their conversion was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered in from the world, and from that household a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
The event marks an entirely new phase of the work of the Christian church in which the door many Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was thrown open, with Gentiles who accepted the gospel to be regarded as on perfect equality without the necessity of circumcision. It shows how God works to enlighten all who love and fear Him even though they do not know all the truth, sending a heavenly messenger to bring about the work that must be done to bring many Gentiles to the truth. Every true believer must therefore stand ready to be taught by God and to have prejudice broken down by heavenly planning. If men hold to their own ideas and are unwilling to yield, God cannot use them but passes them by and takes those willing to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Cornelius was a high-ranking Roman officer, a God-fearing centurion following the light he had received, to whom God sent a message and directed Peter to visit and bring further light. God sends light to people who follow the light received, and connects those seeking more knowledge with people able to teach them, leading Cornelius to join the disciples of Christ and the church and become a useful worker. Peter, guided by God, thus brought the message of salvation to Cornelius, showing that the gospel was no longer restricted to the Jewish people.
While Peter was still preaching Christ — his life, death, resurrection, heavenly ministry, and forgiveness through faith — the Holy Spirit fell on all the Gentiles listening in Cornelius's house at Caesarea, interrupting his sermon. Those hearers were uncircumcised strangers to Israel whose hearts were prepared, attentive, and faithful to the little light they had while praying for more. The gift was the same power, blessing, and witness poured out on Jewish believers at Pentecost, shown by speaking in other tongues and magnifying God. By it God showed He had accepted believing Gentiles who fear Him and do right just as He had accepted Jews, purifying their hearts by faith with no distinction of persons. The outpouring opened the gospel and the church to the Gentiles on perfect equality without circumcision or ceremonial rites, and led at once to their baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
Speech and Hearers
While Peter was yet speaking he was preaching about Jesus — His ministry and life, His miracles, His betrayal, crucifixion and death, His resurrection and ascension, and His work in heaven as man's representative and advocate, with forgiveness of sins through belief in Him. Those who heard the word were Cornelius, his household, and other Gentiles gathered in his home at Caesarea, uncircumcised hearers who had been strangers to Israel.
They listened attentively with hearts prepared to receive the truth. They had followed and lived up to the little light and few privileges they had, longing and praying for more light from heaven, and when Christ was revealed they received Him gladly. While Peter was still speaking the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the word, interrupting his discourse. That coming upon listening Gentiles was a great surprise to Peter and to the Jewish believers who had come with him.
The event was guided by visions by which God instructed His messengers what to speak, repeating the showing again and again. By angel ministration God set in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter into connection with inquiring souls who had all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light. In this God was preparing and correcting Peter to preach to the Gentiles, so that Peter himself was taught and converted in the transaction. Visions thus serve to comfort God's people and to correct error in keeping with Bible truth, not to provide a new rule of faith.
Spirit's Falling and Evidence
The falling described is the same promised blessing, power, gift and witness once given to Jewish believers at Pentecost and at the beginning, now poured out on Gentile hearers while the preaching was still in progress. What came upon the apostles then came upon those in the house at Caesarea as they listened, so that uncircumcised hearers received exactly what circumcised believers had received. The gift was received in answer to petition. Its evidence was speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance, and magnifying and praising God. That manifestation corroborates later experience by the experience of the early apostles recorded in the Word.
The Spirit comes both to consecrated preachers and to the people they serve. Preachers are to be so filled with the Spirit that they preach the Word under its inspiration, and so consecrated to God that His grace comes to them and to their hearers together. No human can impress the human heart; only God can do it, for He upholds His servants, gives them words to speak, and Himself impresses those words on hearts. The righteousness of Christ must go before such workers and the glory of the Lord be their rearward, and this alone is their strength and power to lead men and women to give their hearts to the Saviour.
Its coming brings genuine conversion and acceptance of divine principles. It is God granting the Gentiles repentance unto life. By it the apostles were prepared to accept Gentile converts into the church. The same work can reach people who hold high positions and have great influence, making them agents who share the light with others, especially people in their own neglected class.
Gentile Inclusion and Equality
The falling of the Spirit while Peter was still preaching about Christ showed that God had accepted Cornelius and the other Gentile hearers who heard him, just as He had accepted Jewish believers, and had included them among His people. They were uncircumcised Gentiles in Cornelius's household who had been strangers to Israel, yet they received the same gift as the Jews, which was confirmed when they spoke in tongues and praised God and which led at once to their baptism and overcame prejudice against them. It demonstrated that God accepted Gentiles who feared Him and did what was right.
God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him, with no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Their hearts were purified by faith and they were not regarded as inferior, for Christ's blood could cleanse them from all uncleanness. The outpouring upon all who heard came as a surprise to Peter, who had undertaken the duty with reluctance at every step as an exception done by divine revelation.
The event marked the opening of the gospel and of the Christian church to the Gentiles, the first important conversion among them. While Peter was preaching Christ's life, miracles, betrayal, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and work in heaven as man's representative and advocate, the Spirit fell on all who heard and interrupted the discourse, to the amazement of the Jewish believers with him who heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. The conversion of Cornelius and his household was the first-fruits of a widespread harvest of grace to be gathered in a heathen city, showing that the gospel was no longer restricted to the Jewish people.
Gentiles who believed were to stand on perfect equality with Jewish disciples in the blessings and privileges of the gospel. They shared its blessings on an equal footing without first observing circumcision and without being required to be circumcised to enter the church. Their receiving the same gift before water baptism showed that they were not to be treated as unclean or excluded by ceremonial distinctions.
The gift showed that Gentile converts were not to be burdened with circumcision or the rites of the ceremonial law. That law had been made void by Christ's crucifixion, and its rites were not to be imposed upon them. In this first gospel work among the Gentiles Peter accepted the meaning of the vision and helped remove the prejudice of Jewish Christians by not imposing those rites.
The outpouring was God's purpose to take away the barrier between Jew and Gentile so that both are joined to Jesus Christ by faith. Christ's death had already broken down that barrier, yet lingering apostolic prejudice and exclusiveness had excluded the Gentiles until this gift overturned it and showed that Peter could not oppose what God had done. Peter himself was taught and converted in the transaction, appointed to become the human instrument in the hands of heavenly agencies, and as pioneer he broke through the barriers of ages to teach the heathen world.
Baptism and Church Decision
The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and the other Gentile hearers while Peter was still preaching about Christ, before they were baptized with water. Their receiving the same gift as Jewish believers had received at Pentecost and at the beginning showed that God had accepted them and was opening the gospel to the Gentiles, so they were not to be treated as unclean or excluded by ceremonial distinctions. The gift was confirmed when they spoke in tongues and magnified and praised God, which amazed the Jewish believers who had come with Peter that the gift was poured out on Gentiles also. This outpouring interrupted Peter's discourse about Christ's life, miracles, betrayal, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and work in heaven as man's representative and advocate, and it led at once to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ as proof that Gentiles too could be baptized. Yet the Spirit's coming did not replace baptism, for faith, repentance, and baptism remain distinct steps in conversion.
By this gift God answered the question about receiving Gentiles and decided that they were accepted by Him, settling whether Gentile believers had to adopt Jewish requirements. The church council recognized this divine act of giving the Holy Ghost to Gentiles as they heard the word as God's answer and understood that it was their part to follow the guidance and direction of the Spirit. Peter could not oppose what God had done, since the gift demonstrated that God had accepted Gentile believers and overturned prejudice and exclusiveness. He had undertaken the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step, defending his action not on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the falling of the Holy Ghost was a great surprise to him.
The event marks an entirely new phase of the work of the Christian church in which the door many Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was thrown open. The conversion of Cornelius and his household was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, the first-fruits of a widespread harvest of grace to be gathered in a heathen city. From that household and that home a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
God's Guiding Method
The account holds up the kind of work God approves, sending more light to those who follow the light they already have. He answers the prayer of such a seeker by directing him to further gospel light, setting in operation a train of circumstances that brings him into connection with people able to teach him the truth. In this case Peter was brought by angel ministration into cooperation with inquiring souls who had all things in readiness to hear and receive advanced light. In every age He still brings honest hearts into connection with those of His people who can best reach their needs.
God knew Cornelius by name because Cornelius had received and improved all the light given him. He knew just where Cornelius lived and the spirit he possessed and every act of his life, marking his faithfulness in prayers and alms. Yet devout piety could not take the place of Christ, for neither prayer nor almsgiving can take the place of Him in whom all fullness dwells. Cornelius still needed an advance in faith and a new experience, receiving the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and becoming complete in Him in order to do his work intelligently.
God knew exactly where Peter was, lodging with one who was a tanner, and told Cornelius in detail where to find him and send for him. He gave every particular of how to find him, joining His church together through their connection. The light already imparted to Peter had to be carried by Peter to Cornelius and all his family.
It was God's plan not for an angel to impart the gospel light directly. The angel of the Lord could have preached the message himself, but that is not God's way. He sends chosen human messengers to those who need it, so that Gentiles receive the gospel through connection with them and the truth given to Peter is given by Peter to Cornelius. In this heaven and earth are united, with heavenly agencies and ministering angels cooperating with human agencies, and the work is carried forward by God's power, not human wisdom.
The simplicity of the Lord's plans for the advancement of His work shows His regard for every human being. Each person should treat his fellow as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth. Heaven is much nearer the Christian engaged in soul-saving than many suppose, with the agencies of heaven ever ready to cooperate with human agencies.
Mission Call Today
As God worked for Cornelius, so He works in every age for devout standard-bearers like him, men not fully informed of present truth yet fearing God and following accepted principles of righteousness. Their lives are a clear, pure, undefiled testimony for truth and righteousness, an example others might follow, and even in high positions of responsibility among accomplished worldly men they are bright and shining lights. As He worked for Cornelius, He prepares the way for these true standard-bearers to take the place of those given a knowledge of Bible truth who have disappointed the Saviour. They will be true to pure, holy principles in investigating the laws that rule the world, and will obtain a knowledge of God as Cornelius did through the visitation of angels from heaven. That they may obtain advanced light, God places them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word, calling men of nobility and influence to stand for God in true integrity and to testify by purity and nobility of character to the power of unadulterated principles, for in every age He brings honest hearts into connection with those of His people who by special knowledge and training can best reach their individual needs. The conversion of Cornelius and his household, when the Spirit fell on all who heard Peter's preaching after God sent messengers and set circumstances in motion to bring Peter to Cornelius so he could learn the truth, was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world, and from that home a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
Cornelius of Caesarea represents men of means and position, stewards in trust, whom God sees and would connect with the church, for their sympathies are with His people. He represents men of nobility and influence who hold high positions and can become agents who share the light with others, especially people in their own neglected class, the Spirit bringing genuine conversion and acceptance of divine principles even among such. Because of the responsibilities they bear and the temptations that come in their stewardship, they need special labor and more determined, earnest effort, and it is often a heavier cross to work for them than for the poorer and more lowly ones. The threads that bind them to the world hold them there, and they lack the moral courage to take their position with the lowly ones, yet if converted they will give strength and solidity to the cause and become channels of light.
There are many such men as Cornelius in the world, and the Lord has many precious jewels in this dark world of sin, with souls in the churches much nearer the kingdom of heaven than is supposed. The simplicity of the Lord's plans shows the agencies of heaven ever ready to co-operate with human agencies, and proves that Gentiles who have not received the whole truth but serve God with sincere, earnest purpose, walking in all the light received, are accepted as acceptably as Jewish believers. This calls for readiness and personal efforts by God's servants, to whom He will guide with courage for the work as angels co-operate to bring these souls to the full light of truth. God knew just where Peter was to be found, lodging with one who was a tanner, and told Cornelius in detail where to find him and send for him. The angel could have given Cornelius the gospel message directly, but that is not God's way, for He works by connecting His church together so that the light He had given Peter would be given by Peter to Cornelius and all his family. This means believers must unify and come into close connection with Christ and with one another instead of standing apart, loving one another, dealing gently and justly and righteously, coming into close connection with God, giving Him room and place, working on Christ's heavenly principles, and imparting to one another what God has given, and then the salvation of God will be revealed.
Far more earnest, devoted, determined efforts should be made for such associations as the W.C.T.U., that light may shine to honest souls as honest as Cornelius who are seeking light and longing for it. It was the Lord's design that work be done for Cornelius by setting in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter through angel ministration into co-operation with inquiring souls who had all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light, that those seeking light might be gathered out from those bitterly opposed to the message God is giving to the world. Peter undertook the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step, defending his action not on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the falling of the Holy Ghost on Cornelius and his household was a great surprise to him. Their conversion was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered in from the world, and from that household a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
The event marks an entirely new phase of the work of the Christian church in which the door many Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was thrown open, with Gentiles who accepted the gospel to be regarded as on perfect equality without the necessity of circumcision. It shows how God works to enlighten all who love and fear Him even though they do not know all the truth, sending a heavenly messenger to bring about the work that must be done to bring many Gentiles to the truth. Every true believer must therefore stand ready to be taught by God and to have prejudice broken down by heavenly planning. If men hold to their own ideas and are unwilling to yield, God cannot use them but passes them by and takes those willing to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Cornelius was a high-ranking Roman officer, a God-fearing centurion following the light he had received, to whom God sent a message and directed Peter to visit and bring further light. God sends light to people who follow the light received, and connects those seeking more knowledge with people able to teach them, leading Cornelius to join the disciples of Christ and the church and become a useful worker. Peter, guided by God, thus brought the message of salvation to Cornelius, showing that the gospel was no longer restricted to the Jewish people.