INTERESTING FACTS : John Adams,  born October 30 [October 19, Old Style], 1735, Braintree [now in Quincy], Massachusetts [U.S.],  died July 4, 1826, Early advocate of American independence from Great Britain, major figure in the Continental Congress (1774-77), author of the Massachusetts constitution (1780), signer of the Treaty of Paris (1783), first American ambassador to the Court of St. James (1785-88), first vice president (1789-97) and second president (1797-1801) of the United States. Although Adams was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the most significant statesmen of the revolutionary era, his reputation faded in the 19th century, only to ascend again during the last half of the 20th century. The modern edition of his correspondence prompted a rediscovery of his bracing honesty and pungent way with words, his importance as a political thinker, his realistic perspective on American foreign policy, and his patriarchal role as founder of one of the most prominent families in American history.[1]

 

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God"[2]

 

Daily Reading : ACTS 9 - 10

 

TEXT : Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:  10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,  10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:  10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.  10:14 But Peter said, Not so, LORD; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.  10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.  10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,  10:18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.  10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.  10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.  10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.  10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that Gods no respecter of persons:  10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him

 

THEME : THE LOVE OF GOD

 

Acts9 

 

In this chapter we have,  I. The famous story of St. Paul's conversion from being an outrageous persecutor of the gospel of Christ to be an illustrious professor and preacher of it.  I. How he was first awakened and wrought upon by an appearance of Christ himself to him as he was going upon an errand of persecution to Damascus: and what a condition he was in while he lay under the power of those convictions and terrors (Act_9:1-9).  2. How he was baptized by Ananias, by immediate directions from heaven (Act_9:10-19).  3. How he immediately commenced doctor, and preached the faith of Christ, and proved what he preached (Act_9:20-22).  4. How he was persecuted, and narrowly escaped with his life (Act_9:23-25).  5. How he was admitted among the brethren at Jerusalem: how he preached, and was persecuted there (Act_9:26-30).  6. The rest and quietness which the Churches enjoyed for some time after this (Act_9:31).  II. The cure wrought by Peter on Eneas, who had long been laid up with a palsy (Act_9:32-35). III. The raising of Tabitha from death to life, at the prayer of Peter (Act_9:36-43).  (Matthew Henry)[3]

 

Acts10 

 

This chapter Acts10 commences a very important part of the history of the transactions of the apostles. Before this, they had preached the gospel to the Jews only. They seemed to have retained the feelings of their countrymen on this subject, that the Jews were to be regarded as the especially favored people, and that salvation was not to be offered beyond the limits of their nation. It was important, indeed, that the gospel should be offered to them first; but the whole tendency of the Christian religion was to enlarge and liberalize the mind; to overcome the narrow policy and prejudices of the Jewish people; and to disuse itself over all the nations of the earth. In various ways, and by various parables, the Saviour had taught the apostles, indeed, that his gospel should he spread among the Gentiles. He had commanded them to go and preach it to every creature, Mar_16:15. But he had told them to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high, Luk_24:49.

 

It was natural, therefore, that they should receive special instructions and divine revelation on a point so important as this; and God selected the case of Cornelius as the instance by which he would fully establish his purpose of conveying the gospel to the Gentile world. It is worthy of observation, also, that he selected Peter for the purpose of conveying the gospel first to the Gentiles. The Saviour had told him that on him he would build his Church; that he would give to him first the keys of the kingdom of heaven; that is, that he should be the agent in opening the doors of the Church to both Jews and Gentiles. See the notes on Mat_16:18-19. Peter had, in accordance with these predictions, been the agent in first presenting the gospel to the Jews Acts2; and the prediction was now to be completely fulfilled in extending the same gospel to the Gentile world. The transaction recorded in this chapter is one, therefore, that is exceedingly important in the history of the Church, and we are not to be surprised that it is recorded at length. It should be remembered, also, that this point became afterward the source of incessant controversy in the early Church. The converts from Judaism insisted on the observance of the whole of the rites of their religion; the converts from among the Gentiles claimed exemption from them all. To settle these disputes; to secure the reception of the gospel among the Gentiles, and to introduce them to the Church with all the privileges of the Jews, required all the wisdom, talent, and address of the apostles. See Acts11:1-18; Acts15; Rom. 14; Rom. 15; Gal_2:11-16.  (Albert Barnes)[4]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "THERE IS NO PREJUDICE WITH GOD."

 

In the Book of Acts we have a turning point in the life of Church in New Testament Christianity.  It is the receiving of the Gentiles into the Church.  Prior to this, the entire Church - or nearly the entire Church, were all Jews.  With this in mind, you should never forget that all the authors, that is the men God used to write the Bible, were all Jews.  The possible exceptions are Mark and Luke.  Beyond that, the Holy Scriptures - is for lack of a better term, a "Jewish" Book.

 

However, in the text above, the Apostle Peter is one of the first to witness an Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah come to pass.  It is the fact that the Messiah would not be only for the Jews, for the Gentiles as well.  Jesus was to be "a light unto the Gentiles." Jesus was to be the savior of the entire world.  This, the Apostles did not understand until you read in Acts chapter 10 the conversion of Cornelius and his house.  Us, up to this point, all the conversions, or nearly all the conversions, where amongst the Jewish people.  Now, after Peter receives a vision from the LORD concerning clean beasts and birds, and unclean beasts and birds, the intent of that vision is fulfilled.  The Gentiles will start to be saved.  Further, as you already know, for the next 2000 years Gentiles will dominate the Church with regard to numbers in comparison between Jewish ethnicity and Gentile ethnicity.  (The day is coming when the Jewish people in great numbers will come to Jesus of Nazareth as their personal savior.  Up until now, the Church worldwide is, and has been, dominated by all other nations.)

 

When Peter first gets his vision he is told by the LORD - "Rise, Peter; kill, and eat."  This is astonishing to Peter for he replies - "not so, LORD; for I have never eaten anything that is common for unclean." Yet, God tells him - "what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Three times Peter sees this vision.  In the Bible, when something is repeated more than once - especially if it is repeated three times, this is for added emphasis.  That means, God is making sure the message, in whatever form it may be, is understood and clear.  For this reason, Peter sees the vision three times.

 

In the providence and sovereignty of God, both Peter and Cornelius have visitations from God.  Cornelius is told by an angel to send for Peter, and that he is in the house of a man called Simon who also happens to be a tanner by trade, and that, when Peter comes he will speak to Cornelius and his house.  Meanwhile, Peter has his vision, and he is told by the Holy Spirit - "behold, three men seek thee.  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them doubting nothing: for I have sent them." In this, we see the fact that God has everything under control.  You must reason with yourself, if God knew you before you were born, and God is in firm control - not only of the Church, but of all history as well, then you can rest in his power and in his plan for your life.  This includes your safety, your needs, your health, and everything and anything that pertains to your life.  All you must do is believe.

 

With regard to Christ, after the house of Cornelius is saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter remarks - "of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Peter remarks how God the Father sent Jesus Christ to preach peace because he is LORD of all.  This means, that Christ is the LORD, not only of the Jews, but of the Gentiles as well.  He is LORD of all.

 

It is most unfortunate with respect to the history of the Church that its legacy in various periods is blemished with the stain of prejudice.  Throughout Church history there have been times when the Church was directly or indirectly responsible for the persecution of various people groups outside the Church, and of course, the Church as a whole was responsible for the martyrdom of many of its own members.  Prejudice might be understood coming from those who do not profess Jesus Christ as LORD, but it is hard to imagine prejudice coming from the Church of Jesus Christ.  In particular, it is appalling that the Church would kill its own people simply because the leaders were motivated by a lust for power and avarice.

 

In the Book of Acts chapter 10 when we see a Roman centurion and his household converted to Christ, it once again accents the enviable simplicity of the early Church.  Christ was LORD of everything and everyone.  However, after 2000 years of existence, many of the virtues held by the early Church are now eroded or completely removed.  Of course, this corruption was prophesied by the LORD Jesus Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament. Yet, it is still a sad sight to observe.  There are local fellowships that will not admit into their numbers anyone who is not of their ethnicity or social status.  Remember, prejudice has many faces.  It is not only of color, but it is also of personalities, social status, or of rich or poor.  (It may be surprising to find out that there are fellowship groups who do not want anyone who is wealthy since they accentuate their own poverty.  Yet, this is still prejudice and forbidden by Christ).

 

In any case, it is a comfort to know that Christ does not know any prejudice.  He accepts rich and poor, black and white, male and female, as well as older verses younger.  Christ does not know of "good sinners" as opposed to "bad sinners." The Bible simply says "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God." The love of God does not discriminate.  Men may discriminate, but not God.  He is not willing that any should perish.  This means both Jew and Gentile.  In the mind and heart of God, he desires all people to come to a knowledge of the truth that simply stated is -"Christ died for sinners." When it comes to sin, every person in every nation is guilty.  There is no respect of persons regarding sin either.

 

Rejoice today that God does not regard your ethnic background or any other consideration about your individual life.  He knows no prejudice.  It may surprise others that you are saved, but it does not surprise God.  He is not the God of the Jews only, but also of every Gentile.  For this, we give thanks.