The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-04-01
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR April 4.

subject: Peter and Cornelius, Acts
1O:1-4S-Golden Text, Acts 10:
35--Commit Verses 13-15-
Commentary on Days Lesson.
TIME. - A. ID. 40. Places
Caesarea and Joppa.
EAPOSITION. II. A Cody Sol.
uier, 1-S. The central figure OF this
lesson is captain in the Roman
army. The barracks at Caesarea
would seem to be a most unlikely
place TO tnd the first Gentle convert
10 Christianity, but there is where he
was round. Cornelius was God
rearing man. He was one who did not
Keep his piety to himself, but called
upon his whole household TO share II
win MIN. He was a man of prayer
and a generous giver. He prayed for
nght lcf. VS.. 81, 32) and followed
the light when II was given. 1t was
because he asked for light that he
got 1t (cf. James 1:5). The aims he
gave to others had much to do with
Gods giving the saving truth to him
". 4: CT. Luke 6:3S; Prov. 21:13; 2
Cor. 1868. Cornelius does not
seem to have been a proselyte of the
Jewish faith ". 2S; cf. ch. 11:3) and
ne certainly was not as yet a saved
man (ch. 1913, 14), but he was on
the road that leads to salvation. He
became saved man by believing on
Jesus Christ ". 43; CT. ch. 15:7-9).
There are those who contend we
should never get man to pray until
ne Is definitely saved, but 1t was in
answer to prayer that Cornelius got
me light by which he was saved. OF
course, II man is deliberate rebel
against God, we should not get him
10 pray; for the prayer of such a one
Is an abomination unto God prov.
1888; 2S:9; Is. SOL, %. But a man
may be a sincere seeker after truth
like Cornelius, though he has not yet
round the truth. There is nothing
better for him to do than to pray
flames 1:5). God will always lead
INTO light all those who sincerely de-
sire 1t CJohn 7:1O. 1t was while
Cornelius was praying that the first
readings came to Cornelius. It is
when we draw near unto God that
He draws near unto us GAS. 4:S).
cornelius was frightened by the ce-
iestlal visitor as sinful man always is
by tne approach of the supernatural
lct. Dan. 1911; Luke 1:12-19; pa.
- D'N WI Wullt frightened
maintained his equilibrium and was
ready to obey; he was every inch n
Roman soldier. He was encouraged
by being told that God had noted and
remembered his prayers and aims
His prayers and aims did not save
him (ch. 1l:13, Ia; 1O:43), but thew
had prepared the way for his saliva
tion. God cakes note of sincere nray-
er and of the aims that accompany
them. Praying and giving should al
ways go hand in hand Il John 3;16-
~. Cornelius faith was put to a
severe test; he was told to send to
certain unknown man who would tell
MIN what he ought to do (cf. ch. IL:
l4). The angel himself might have
told Cornelius this. but it is the plan
OF God to have the way of life made
plan TO man by man (cf. CHI. 9:6-17;
S;26l. Cornelius proved his faith
py MS prompt obedience. Cornelius
plety was OF the communicative sort:
tor tEe soldier who waited upon him
continually was also religious man.
III. Peter Prepared to Preach the
hospel TO the GentIles, 9-2O. While
Gou prepares one man to hear the
uospel, lie also prepares another
man to preach it to him. 1t certainly
cannot be explained away as empty
dreams of fevered Imagination that
Cornelius at one end of the line saw
an angel who bade him send for
Peter, and that Peter at the other end
or the line should have a vision pre-
pairing him for the call lust before
the messengers arrived, and should
hear the voice of the Spirit bidding
sunernaturai u,ania yono question,
of nreeent contan. h Gnu posslDlilty
natural worId and Deumeen s Tue suLer-
tory damonstratno thin uiai me. HIS
an Atbaist nr Da, ms one can De
bv deiiharsteiv Shntt 1r Asnostic only
tba aotaI,iSuy shutting MS eyes TO