10:2 - Cornelius was as good as good can get...he was a Gentile who somehow came to know that there was a God - one true God...he was a devout follower...he prayed constantly to God...not only did he honor God with prayers, but he allowed that top shape his life and give generously. He was awesome, but it still wasn't good enough - did you notice that? God comes to him and instructs him to find Peter so that he can hear the gospel of Jesus. No man can be good enough to save himself - the only way into heaven is through Jesus Christ.
*This does bring up an interesting concept, because it seems clear from the life of Cornelius that people can come to a knowledge of God and worship Him before they hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Cornelius was a completely sold out God-follower, before he ever heard about Jesus. Paul tells us in Romans that people are without excuse in their unbelief, because nature itself cries out that there is a creator. The ultimate rhetorical question comes when you ask, "What happens to people that humbly understand that there has to be a creator God and they live to honor Him, when they die before ever hearing about Jesus Christ?" Well, Jesus sacrifice was once for all, correct? I do not believe that our just God will hold people accountable to a truth they have never heard...but at judgment, when faced with the truth the people who humbly and simply served God will accept the truth about Jesus and enter into salvation. Those who openly rejected God and Jesus while on this earth will continue their course and even when brought before the TRUTH - they will arrogantly choose their own way. This still leaves a huge mission for us as Christians, because people need to know about the hope of Jesus. People need to hear that message of salvation and true life. What of the people that are so blinded by their flawed cultures that they cannot see God until somebody shows Him to them. We have work to do. God thought it was so important that Cornelius understand the truth about Jesus that He sent angels to guide Cornelius to the way. Wow - that was long!
There is a lot more juicy theological stuff in this chapter, but I want to hear from you - so go comment on what I have written or on what God placed on your heart through your reading.
4 comments:
I agree with your comments on how some love God and do good even without knowledge of who Jesus is or any knowledge of the history of God and man through the Old Testament. Romans 6 tells us that Christ death gave forgiveness once for all. Hebrews 9:26 references the sacrifice of Jesus to creation. This certainly gives the impression that grace through Christ is not bound by time, but covers all who recognize the sacrifice of Jesus since the beginning of man. Since many have died before Jesus came to earth this certainly suggests that after this life those that never heard the name of Jesus will come in contact with the good news.
I am really bothered by the last half of the chapter. Everytime I read the accounts of people being filled with the Holy Spirit in a very visual and active way I feel like I'm missing something. Don't get me wrong, I feel that I have the Holy Spirit with me guiding me (when I get my stubborn butt out of the way) and giving me peace, but it's never like I see described in Acts. I'm curious as why. Do I have to firm on a grip on my flesh?
I hope that bothers every Christian. What has happened? Some options (By no means exhaustive): 1.) An apostolic age existed where people who had come in direct contact with Jesus were able to usher in more incredible miracles then exist today. 2.) The further we have gotten away from the cross, the more our faith has waned. 3.) Living in a time period where science and reason have largely replaced spiritually has created barriers that dull out connection with the Spirit. 4.) The Spirit reserves bold physical manifestations for absolutely necessary situations (I.E. - kicking off the Christian belief system in Acts, or enabling missionaries to speak in tongues when it is the only way thy can communicate, etc.), so that people are not just following what they can see and hear, but they are stepping out in faith.
Those are some of the things I have heard or thought about over the years. I'd be interested to hear what you think.
Another possibility – the Spirit works in a different way for a reason. If the Spirit performed a miracle through us, most would dismiss it as a trick and it would do little more than be tabloid fodder. Back then, miracles were more accepted in the world. Some would try and explain it away, but most would accept it.
Today if someone is miraculously healed, it is the Holy Spirit and He may be acting through the power of pray or completely on His own, but it is done in secret so that no one can take credit and those who do not believe are left baffled (scientists, doctors, etc).
But this is God still trying to show Himself to those people. He is basically saying – “Look at this – try and explain it if you can – but you know deep down that I, God, am responsible for this – BELIEVE!!!)
Just a thought...
j
This is all turning stuff! This is where Gentiles are given the gift of the Spirit. This changes things as Jesus aimed to. It would be cool to see the Spirit at work in obvious ways as written about in scripture, but I am also thankful for our situation: the fact that the Spirit isn't as obvious and we can still identify His presence says something.
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