And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
An angel appeared to Cornelius at prayer by night, calling him by name and assuring him his prayers and alms had come up for a memorial before God, then bidding him send men to Joppa to call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who would tell him what he ought to do. The direction gave exact particulars of where Peter was lodging, showing that heaven knows each person by name, dwelling, trade, spirit and deeds, from the humblest laborer to the king on the throne. The angel himself did not preach the gospel of the crucified, risen and ascended Saviour, but a human being subject to frailty like those he sought to save was to teach Cornelius and his household how to be saved. God could have instructed Cornelius directly, yet His appointed way is to place seekers in connection with those who have received light from on high, thus honoring gospel ministry and the organized church and uniting heaven and earth in missionary work. Cornelius was a devout Roman centurion who feared God, prayed always and gave much alms, yet without full knowledge of Christ in whom all fullness dwells, and by bringing him to Peter God removed the barrier between Jew and Gentile and opened the gospel to the world.
Setting and Exact Details
An angel spoke this word to Cornelius in vision while he was at prayer, about the ninth hour in the night season. The celestial messenger addressed him by name, and told him his prayers and his alms had come up for a memorial before God. The command was to send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose surname is Peter. Peter was to tell him what he ought to do and speak to him all things commanded of God.
The direction gave exact particulars that Peter was lodging with Simon a tanner by the seaside. This precision shows heaven knows each person by name and knows just where each lives. Heaven is well acquainted with the history and business of men in every station and grade of life, from the humble laborer to the king on the throne. God is as familiar with the daily employment, trade, spirit, acts and experiences of the lowly worker as with those of the ruler, knowing good deeds, charity, liberality and kindness as well as avarice, cruelty, secret crimes, selfishness and secret wrongs, for nothing is hidden from Him.
Cornelius gladly obeyed at once and sent messengers to seek Peter at Joppa according to the directions given. Because he obeyed the instruction he had received, God sent further direction by a heavenly messenger to bring him into contact with Peter who could lead him into greater light. The instruction came as a clear representation in vision in the night season showing what should be done and spoken, and this divine instruction was repeated again and again. Its account of Peter's summons stands as an example of the kind of specific instruction given in vision.
Cornelius the Sincere Seeker
Cornelius was a Roman centurion at Caesarea, a devout Gentile who feared God with all his house, prayed to God always, gave much alms, and manifested true Christian principles even without theoretical understanding of truth. He was walking in all the light he had received, serving the Lord to the best of his ability and knowledge and living up to all that light. God knew him personally and knew just where he lived, as He knew Abraham, because he had received and improved all the light given him. While he was praying, God sent a celestial messenger who addressed him by name, and though afraid he knew the angel was sent of God and asked what was wanted. God uses angelic guidance and human messengers to bring such a devout man who fears God into contact with someone able to give him fuller knowledge of the truth.
He was sincere, truthful, and faithful, living in accordance with all the light given in the Old Testament Scriptures, yet he did not yet have full knowledge of Jesus Christ. He did not fully understand the work of Christ revealed in His life and death, and he had not yet learned present truth such as the Sabbath. He was not a disciple of Christ but had faith according to the light he had and was reaching out for more light. He was especially well pleasing to God although he did not yet have full knowledge, for God does not leave in darkness those who follow all the light given them. Prayer joined with offerings pleased God, yet clearer light was to be brought to him by a human agent, and accepting one ray of light prepares the way for another until knowledge shines brighter to full day.
God had not been unmindful of him and his family but recognized his gifts and offerings and alms that had come up with his prayers for a memorial before God. His prayers and alms were known and remembered, showing that God communicates with those who fear Him and recognizes their faithful deeds. The Lord takes special notice of those who serve Him and by prayers and deeds of charity show they are walking in the light, and He does not withhold words of encouragement from those who do well. His instruction came in response to those prayers and alms and was a message of commendation answering his prayers for more light to serve God more perfectly. Ministering angels pass through noting faithfulness, for the Lord knows every person by name, just where each lives, the spirit each possesses, and every act of life.
His prayer and almsgiving, though acceptable as far as his knowledge went, could not take the place of Christ in whom all fullness dwells. He had to advance in faith to receive the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and to be joined by faith to Jesus Christ in whom alone all is made complete. He sincerely longed and prayed for light from heaven, and when Christ was revealed to him, he received Him gladly and with gladness.
He represents Gentiles serving God as acceptably as Jews, and devout men in every age who fear God and follow principles of righteousness though not fully informed in regard to truth for this time. All through the ages such men work in every sphere on principles God accepts, bear a clear pure undefiled testimony for truth and righteousness, and shine as bright lights even in high positions among worldly men. The Lord saw Cornelius would do honor to the church, and He leads such honest seekers who walk in all the light they have into clearer and still clearer light. They are precious jewels in a dark world of sin, nearer the kingdom of God than supposed, for whom special efforts are to be made with words of hope and cheer. He is the kind of man taught by God, true, sanctified and ennobled through the truth, whom the Lord calls for now, in contrast to merely professing faith for a lifetime while losing spiritual discernment and building on sand. His story as an honest seeker shows God intends patient, loving work to reach people seeking truth even when associated with groups opposed to the message, so those willing to receive advanced light may be gathered to it, and angels are sent to visit these true standard-bearers to obtain knowledge of God and place them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word.
Heaven Through Human Messengers
The angel did not himself preach the gospel or explain the story of the cross about the crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. Peter, a human being subject to frailty, weakness and temptation like those he sought to save, was to teach Cornelius and his household how to be saved and tell him what he ought to do. God used a minister of the church for that instruction, and the angel's mission opened the way for Peter to carry the gospel message to a Gentile. The direction to send men to Joppa to summon Simon Peter, whose lodging was with Simon the tanner by the sea, connected the seeker with the gospel ministry.
God could have given Cornelius all needed instruction directly by the angel, but did not do so. His appointed way and plan is to place seekers in connection with those who have been receiving knowledge from on high and whose work is to impart it to those seeking light and in darkness. His design is that man be placed in connection with his fellow men, so that one must communicate with and instruct the other rather than God instructing directly. The gospel is not to be communicated by the angel directly but through Peter as the appointed human agency and instrument, uniting heaven and earth in missionary work and bringing Cornelius and Peter together in gospel work. The light is to be given to the world through His people, with those who have received light revealing it to those in darkness, and heaven and earth cooperating through heavenly agencies with human instrumentalities.
The direction shows God's regard for gospel ministry and the organized church. God knew exactly where Peter was, even specifying his identity and lodging, and knew just where each lives. He sent His messengers to set in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter into connection with Cornelius so Cornelius might learn the truth, and actively opened the way for the gospel. He wanted the light He had given to Peter to be given through Peter to Cornelius, and put Cornelius in touch with Peter so Peter could tell him what he ought to do. Through angel ministration Peter is brought into cooperation with inquiring souls who have all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light.
God ordained that His church must connect together, so the truth already imparted to Peter was to be imparted by Peter to Cornelius and all his family. Truth is to be shared from person to person in close connection, with member imparting light to member and people who have received truth sharing it with others as instruments through whom the gospel changes minds and hearts. God entrusts people, rather than unfallen angels, with making Christ known. This calls believers to unify, love one another, and deal honestly, justly, truly, gently and righteously with one another instead of exalting self and tearing others down, standing apart, pointing at the wrongs of others, or manifesting hatred.
Accepting one ray of light prepares the way for another ray until knowledge shines brighter to full day. Cornelius was following on to know the Lord, and this won the salvation of all his house. Obedience to the command brings union with the church and makes the obedient one a useful and influential laborer together with God. Refusing such appointed human help in order to be taught only directly by God can leave a person vulnerable to false guidance.
Gospel Opened to Gentiles
The instruction to send to Joppa for Peter was paired with a separate instruction to Peter to visit Cornelius and give him spiritual light. God prepared Peter to receive the messengers Cornelius sent in obedience, setting in operation the meeting by which Cornelius would be led into greater light. In this God actively opened the way for the gospel, and His work did not depend on permission from human authorities or restricted circles of control.
The command set in motion God's plan for the gospel to reach the Gentiles. It belongs to the time after about A.D. 34, when the 490 years allotted to the Jews ended. Then the message of salvation was no longer restricted to the chosen people but given to the world, and Cornelius's conversion was to be the first important conversion among the Gentiles.
By bringing Peter and Cornelius together God took away the barrier between Jew and Gentile so that both are joined to Christ. He showed that Gentiles were not to be treated as unclean or excluded from the gospel. He opened the way for those once regarded as strangers to become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, sharing equally in the gospel's blessings with Jewish believers without having to observe circumcision.
Peter had not yet preached to Gentiles because the apostles still held prejudices that kept them from sharing gospel privileges, even though Christ's death had broken down the dividing wall. He undertook the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step. When relating his experience he defended it not on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the result was a great surprise to him, since he himself had to receive truth and have prejudice overcome.
Cornelius's conversion became the first important conversion among the Gentiles, converting more than one man and fitting a man of influence to accomplish a great work with believers in Jesus. It was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world. From that home in Caesarea a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
Angels Visions and Confirmation
God employs an angel to communicate with a human being, and in the vision an immortal messenger gives instruction to a man directing him to send for Peter. Angels are His messengers on earth and guides, sent as powerful helpers of His chosen messengers who are taught of God. Their ministration resulted in the conversion of Cornelius and his company, illustrating angels ministering to God's people and helping the gospel reach others. By an angel directing Cornelius to send for Peter so that Peter could bring the message of salvation to a Gentile, the account shows the close connection between heaven and earth. Heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving work than many suppose, teaching God's regard for every human being and that each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.
The account belongs to God's dealing with Peter by vision when He was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. Visions in the last days do not provide a new rule of faith. They are given for the comfort of God's people and to correct those who err and depart from Bible truth. The Word of God remains the rule of faith and practice by which all are to be judged.
Peter's experience in the home of Cornelius corroborates the promised blessing of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, the same experience given to the apostles. There believers speak in foreign languages they do not understand and yet hold orderly conversation together. Christ knew Cornelius and knew what to do for him.
Call to Obey and Share
The account was preserved to encourage everyone who honestly seeks truth and asks God for wisdom, for it reveals His compassion and tender love toward those seeking and praying for light. Daily prayers for light and guidance will surely be answered, for the Lord does not withhold encouragement from those who do well but takes special notice of those who walk in the light they have by prayer and deeds of charity. He is ready to supply the necessities of the self-sacrificing and liberal when they call upon Him.
The direction to send to Joppa is to be read and prayed over until understanding is opened, for it teaches the way God works on human minds. That working breaks the power of oppression and tyranny and dispels dark clouds of ignorance and superstition. When understanding is opened, workers will begin earnestly to work for souls in the home field and arouse to home missions, for unless they do they will be found wanting in the day of God.
God seeks men in responsible positions and stewardship and would connect them with the church, and their case calls for special, determined personal effort. Such men bear heavy responsibilities and face peculiar temptations, and though they may sympathize with truth the threads binding them to the world hold them there so that they lack moral courage to take their stand with the lowly. When converted they can use their influence and resources to share the gospel with others, and God will open the way for truth to enter strongholds where Satan has set up his throne and dispel the shadow cast across the pathway of those Satan seeks to deceive and destroy.
Cornelius being led by wonderful works to bring his energetic, faithful life into connection with the disciples is a pattern for the last days. Many then will prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage and will obey the Word of God as the supreme standard. They will be led to great light and will come to the knowledge of the truth. They will seek to bring that light before acquaintances who like themselves are anxious for truth, and thus become conscientious light bearers to the world. Themselves constrained by the love of God, they will constrain others and improve every opportunity to invite and urge others to come and see the beauty of the truth and to give their abilities to advance the work of God.
Heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving than is supposed, for children on earth are connected with angels in heaven who keep watch over the work to be accomplished. Each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth, with regard for every human being. God may assign people to places or duties they would not choose, because someone there needs the help they can give, as Peter was sent to a particular place and person, the Roman centurion who needed divine help and guidance.
It is a lesson for every age that God works through His servants in various ways, bringing honest-hearted seekers into connection with those who can best reach their individual needs. Different workers are adapted by special knowledge and training to help different classes of inquirers, and through angel ministration they are brought into cooperation with inquiring souls who have all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light. This calls for earnest, devoted, determined, patient and loving effort even for associations like the W.C.T.U. and for people associated with groups opposed to the message, where honest souls like Cornelius are seeking light, that those willing to receive advanced light might be gathered out. God sends angels to visit devout men who fear Him and follow principles of righteousness though not fully informed, prepares the way for them to obtain a knowledge of God and take the place of those who disappointed the Saviour, and places them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word that they may obtain advanced light while remaining true to pure holy principles.
Cornelius is the kind of man taught by God, true, sanctified and ennobled through the truth, whom the Lord calls for now. Merely professing faith for a lifetime does not make one such a man, and those who have lost spiritual discernment are in very perilous condition. Those who are right in their own eyes and wise in their own conceit build their house upon the sand, and when the tempest comes it will be swept away and they will perish because they did not build upon the solid rock.
An angel appeared to Cornelius at prayer by night, calling him by name and assuring him his prayers and alms had come up for a memorial before God, then bidding him send men to Joppa to call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who would tell him what he ought to do. The direction gave exact particulars of where Peter was lodging, showing that heaven knows each person by name, dwelling, trade, spirit and deeds, from the humblest laborer to the king on the throne. The angel himself did not preach the gospel of the crucified, risen and ascended Saviour, but a human being subject to frailty like those he sought to save was to teach Cornelius and his household how to be saved. God could have instructed Cornelius directly, yet His appointed way is to place seekers in connection with those who have received light from on high, thus honoring gospel ministry and the organized church and uniting heaven and earth in missionary work. Cornelius was a devout Roman centurion who feared God, prayed always and gave much alms, yet without full knowledge of Christ in whom all fullness dwells, and by bringing him to Peter God removed the barrier between Jew and Gentile and opened the gospel to the world.
Setting and Exact Details
An angel spoke this word to Cornelius in vision while he was at prayer, about the ninth hour in the night season. The celestial messenger addressed him by name, and told him his prayers and his alms had come up for a memorial before God. The command was to send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose surname is Peter. Peter was to tell him what he ought to do and speak to him all things commanded of God.
The direction gave exact particulars that Peter was lodging with Simon a tanner by the seaside. This precision shows heaven knows each person by name and knows just where each lives. Heaven is well acquainted with the history and business of men in every station and grade of life, from the humble laborer to the king on the throne. God is as familiar with the daily employment, trade, spirit, acts and experiences of the lowly worker as with those of the ruler, knowing good deeds, charity, liberality and kindness as well as avarice, cruelty, secret crimes, selfishness and secret wrongs, for nothing is hidden from Him.
Cornelius gladly obeyed at once and sent messengers to seek Peter at Joppa according to the directions given. Because he obeyed the instruction he had received, God sent further direction by a heavenly messenger to bring him into contact with Peter who could lead him into greater light. The instruction came as a clear representation in vision in the night season showing what should be done and spoken, and this divine instruction was repeated again and again. Its account of Peter's summons stands as an example of the kind of specific instruction given in vision.
Cornelius the Sincere Seeker
Cornelius was a Roman centurion at Caesarea, a devout Gentile who feared God with all his house, prayed to God always, gave much alms, and manifested true Christian principles even without theoretical understanding of truth. He was walking in all the light he had received, serving the Lord to the best of his ability and knowledge and living up to all that light. God knew him personally and knew just where he lived, as He knew Abraham, because he had received and improved all the light given him. While he was praying, God sent a celestial messenger who addressed him by name, and though afraid he knew the angel was sent of God and asked what was wanted. God uses angelic guidance and human messengers to bring such a devout man who fears God into contact with someone able to give him fuller knowledge of the truth.
He was sincere, truthful, and faithful, living in accordance with all the light given in the Old Testament Scriptures, yet he did not yet have full knowledge of Jesus Christ. He did not fully understand the work of Christ revealed in His life and death, and he had not yet learned present truth such as the Sabbath. He was not a disciple of Christ but had faith according to the light he had and was reaching out for more light. He was especially well pleasing to God although he did not yet have full knowledge, for God does not leave in darkness those who follow all the light given them. Prayer joined with offerings pleased God, yet clearer light was to be brought to him by a human agent, and accepting one ray of light prepares the way for another until knowledge shines brighter to full day.
God had not been unmindful of him and his family but recognized his gifts and offerings and alms that had come up with his prayers for a memorial before God. His prayers and alms were known and remembered, showing that God communicates with those who fear Him and recognizes their faithful deeds. The Lord takes special notice of those who serve Him and by prayers and deeds of charity show they are walking in the light, and He does not withhold words of encouragement from those who do well. His instruction came in response to those prayers and alms and was a message of commendation answering his prayers for more light to serve God more perfectly. Ministering angels pass through noting faithfulness, for the Lord knows every person by name, just where each lives, the spirit each possesses, and every act of life.
His prayer and almsgiving, though acceptable as far as his knowledge went, could not take the place of Christ in whom all fullness dwells. He had to advance in faith to receive the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and to be joined by faith to Jesus Christ in whom alone all is made complete. He sincerely longed and prayed for light from heaven, and when Christ was revealed to him, he received Him gladly and with gladness.
He represents Gentiles serving God as acceptably as Jews, and devout men in every age who fear God and follow principles of righteousness though not fully informed in regard to truth for this time. All through the ages such men work in every sphere on principles God accepts, bear a clear pure undefiled testimony for truth and righteousness, and shine as bright lights even in high positions among worldly men. The Lord saw Cornelius would do honor to the church, and He leads such honest seekers who walk in all the light they have into clearer and still clearer light. They are precious jewels in a dark world of sin, nearer the kingdom of God than supposed, for whom special efforts are to be made with words of hope and cheer. He is the kind of man taught by God, true, sanctified and ennobled through the truth, whom the Lord calls for now, in contrast to merely professing faith for a lifetime while losing spiritual discernment and building on sand. His story as an honest seeker shows God intends patient, loving work to reach people seeking truth even when associated with groups opposed to the message, so those willing to receive advanced light may be gathered to it, and angels are sent to visit these true standard-bearers to obtain knowledge of God and place them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word.
Heaven Through Human Messengers
The angel did not himself preach the gospel or explain the story of the cross about the crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. Peter, a human being subject to frailty, weakness and temptation like those he sought to save, was to teach Cornelius and his household how to be saved and tell him what he ought to do. God used a minister of the church for that instruction, and the angel's mission opened the way for Peter to carry the gospel message to a Gentile. The direction to send men to Joppa to summon Simon Peter, whose lodging was with Simon the tanner by the sea, connected the seeker with the gospel ministry.
God could have given Cornelius all needed instruction directly by the angel, but did not do so. His appointed way and plan is to place seekers in connection with those who have been receiving knowledge from on high and whose work is to impart it to those seeking light and in darkness. His design is that man be placed in connection with his fellow men, so that one must communicate with and instruct the other rather than God instructing directly. The gospel is not to be communicated by the angel directly but through Peter as the appointed human agency and instrument, uniting heaven and earth in missionary work and bringing Cornelius and Peter together in gospel work. The light is to be given to the world through His people, with those who have received light revealing it to those in darkness, and heaven and earth cooperating through heavenly agencies with human instrumentalities.
The direction shows God's regard for gospel ministry and the organized church. God knew exactly where Peter was, even specifying his identity and lodging, and knew just where each lives. He sent His messengers to set in operation a train of circumstances to bring Peter into connection with Cornelius so Cornelius might learn the truth, and actively opened the way for the gospel. He wanted the light He had given to Peter to be given through Peter to Cornelius, and put Cornelius in touch with Peter so Peter could tell him what he ought to do. Through angel ministration Peter is brought into cooperation with inquiring souls who have all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light.
God ordained that His church must connect together, so the truth already imparted to Peter was to be imparted by Peter to Cornelius and all his family. Truth is to be shared from person to person in close connection, with member imparting light to member and people who have received truth sharing it with others as instruments through whom the gospel changes minds and hearts. God entrusts people, rather than unfallen angels, with making Christ known. This calls believers to unify, love one another, and deal honestly, justly, truly, gently and righteously with one another instead of exalting self and tearing others down, standing apart, pointing at the wrongs of others, or manifesting hatred.
Accepting one ray of light prepares the way for another ray until knowledge shines brighter to full day. Cornelius was following on to know the Lord, and this won the salvation of all his house. Obedience to the command brings union with the church and makes the obedient one a useful and influential laborer together with God. Refusing such appointed human help in order to be taught only directly by God can leave a person vulnerable to false guidance.
Gospel Opened to Gentiles
The instruction to send to Joppa for Peter was paired with a separate instruction to Peter to visit Cornelius and give him spiritual light. God prepared Peter to receive the messengers Cornelius sent in obedience, setting in operation the meeting by which Cornelius would be led into greater light. In this God actively opened the way for the gospel, and His work did not depend on permission from human authorities or restricted circles of control.
The command set in motion God's plan for the gospel to reach the Gentiles. It belongs to the time after about A.D. 34, when the 490 years allotted to the Jews ended. Then the message of salvation was no longer restricted to the chosen people but given to the world, and Cornelius's conversion was to be the first important conversion among the Gentiles.
By bringing Peter and Cornelius together God took away the barrier between Jew and Gentile so that both are joined to Christ. He showed that Gentiles were not to be treated as unclean or excluded from the gospel. He opened the way for those once regarded as strangers to become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, sharing equally in the gospel's blessings with Jewish believers without having to observe circumcision.
Peter had not yet preached to Gentiles because the apostles still held prejudices that kept them from sharing gospel privileges, even though Christ's death had broken down the dividing wall. He undertook the duty laid on him by divine command with reluctance at every step. When relating his experience he defended it not on general principles but as an exception done because of divine revelation, and the result was a great surprise to him, since he himself had to receive truth and have prejudice overcome.
Cornelius's conversion became the first important conversion among the Gentiles, converting more than one man and fitting a man of influence to accomplish a great work with believers in Jesus. It was only the firstfruits of a harvest to be gathered from the world. From that home in Caesarea a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.
Angels Visions and Confirmation
God employs an angel to communicate with a human being, and in the vision an immortal messenger gives instruction to a man directing him to send for Peter. Angels are His messengers on earth and guides, sent as powerful helpers of His chosen messengers who are taught of God. Their ministration resulted in the conversion of Cornelius and his company, illustrating angels ministering to God's people and helping the gospel reach others. By an angel directing Cornelius to send for Peter so that Peter could bring the message of salvation to a Gentile, the account shows the close connection between heaven and earth. Heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving work than many suppose, teaching God's regard for every human being and that each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth.
The account belongs to God's dealing with Peter by vision when He was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. Visions in the last days do not provide a new rule of faith. They are given for the comfort of God's people and to correct those who err and depart from Bible truth. The Word of God remains the rule of faith and practice by which all are to be judged.
Peter's experience in the home of Cornelius corroborates the promised blessing of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, the same experience given to the apostles. There believers speak in foreign languages they do not understand and yet hold orderly conversation together. Christ knew Cornelius and knew what to do for him.
Call to Obey and Share
The account was preserved to encourage everyone who honestly seeks truth and asks God for wisdom, for it reveals His compassion and tender love toward those seeking and praying for light. Daily prayers for light and guidance will surely be answered, for the Lord does not withhold encouragement from those who do well but takes special notice of those who walk in the light they have by prayer and deeds of charity. He is ready to supply the necessities of the self-sacrificing and liberal when they call upon Him.
The direction to send to Joppa is to be read and prayed over until understanding is opened, for it teaches the way God works on human minds. That working breaks the power of oppression and tyranny and dispels dark clouds of ignorance and superstition. When understanding is opened, workers will begin earnestly to work for souls in the home field and arouse to home missions, for unless they do they will be found wanting in the day of God.
God seeks men in responsible positions and stewardship and would connect them with the church, and their case calls for special, determined personal effort. Such men bear heavy responsibilities and face peculiar temptations, and though they may sympathize with truth the threads binding them to the world hold them there so that they lack moral courage to take their stand with the lowly. When converted they can use their influence and resources to share the gospel with others, and God will open the way for truth to enter strongholds where Satan has set up his throne and dispel the shadow cast across the pathway of those Satan seeks to deceive and destroy.
Cornelius being led by wonderful works to bring his energetic, faithful life into connection with the disciples is a pattern for the last days. Many then will prize the wisdom of God above any earthly advantage and will obey the Word of God as the supreme standard. They will be led to great light and will come to the knowledge of the truth. They will seek to bring that light before acquaintances who like themselves are anxious for truth, and thus become conscientious light bearers to the world. Themselves constrained by the love of God, they will constrain others and improve every opportunity to invite and urge others to come and see the beauty of the truth and to give their abilities to advance the work of God.
Heaven is much nearer to the Christian engaged in soul-saving than is supposed, for children on earth are connected with angels in heaven who keep watch over the work to be accomplished. Each should treat his fellow man as one of the Lord's instrumentalities for accomplishing His work in the earth, with regard for every human being. God may assign people to places or duties they would not choose, because someone there needs the help they can give, as Peter was sent to a particular place and person, the Roman centurion who needed divine help and guidance.
It is a lesson for every age that God works through His servants in various ways, bringing honest-hearted seekers into connection with those who can best reach their individual needs. Different workers are adapted by special knowledge and training to help different classes of inquirers, and through angel ministration they are brought into cooperation with inquiring souls who have all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light. This calls for earnest, devoted, determined, patient and loving effort even for associations like the W.C.T.U. and for people associated with groups opposed to the message, where honest souls like Cornelius are seeking light, that those willing to receive advanced light might be gathered out. God sends angels to visit devout men who fear Him and follow principles of righteousness though not fully informed, prepares the way for them to obtain a knowledge of God and take the place of those who disappointed the Saviour, and places them in connection with men of superior knowledge of His Word that they may obtain advanced light while remaining true to pure holy principles.
Cornelius is the kind of man taught by God, true, sanctified and ennobled through the truth, whom the Lord calls for now. Merely professing faith for a lifetime does not make one such a man, and those who have lost spiritual discernment are in very perilous condition. Those who are right in their own eyes and wise in their own conceit build their house upon the sand, and when the tempest comes it will be swept away and they will perish because they did not build upon the solid rock.