The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26
But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." If Peter had not gone through the betraying Jesus three times thing, I wonder if he would have been this humble.
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.
But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. Realize what a huge shift this is for Peter. He was taught all his life to isolate himself from anyone who was not Jewish so as not to be contaminated in belief. Amazing that a Jewish carpenter killed on a cross
29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"
30 Cornelius answered: "Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. This concept that Jesus is God is especially difficult for Jews and Muslims because they believe there is only one God. The Christian idea of the Trinity - 3 persons in 1 God is difficult for anyone really to understand. What really matters though is that Jesus came to save us and show us who God is and how we can be His children. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing
all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Maybe even Peter was confused since he says here God was with him, not because He is God.
39 "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen-by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. These sightings and interactions with Jesus after He was crucified are well documented and changed everything for the frightened and confused disciples who then became bold in their teaching about Jesus even dying for their belief. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes
in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." You need forgiveness for something? Ask Jesus to forgive you and He will wash you clean. Ask Him to take over your life and the Holy Spirit will live in you and work through you. There is nothing more important in life. There is no other way to have peace and purpose that lasts. We all try so many other ways that might seem like they give us what we are looking for, but they are short lived and meaningless in the end. Alcohol, drugs, relationships, money, career, sex, hobbies like hunting, may all feel good at the time but never work. Only Jesus.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Do we need to be baptized in water or in the Holy Spirit in some formal way? Maybe? I think these are things we do to outwardly and publicly express are belief and dependence on Jesus. I think if you believe Jesus is Lord, resurrected from the dead, and ask for forgiveness and ask Him to take over your life, He will fill you with the Holy Spirit. Please don't hesitate to disagree and reply to this email with your response.
