Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1916-04-22
International Sunday
School Lesson
for April %
THE GOSPEL FOR THE eENrlLEs

Golden Text.-"Of a truth | perceive
that God is 10 respector of persons
but in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accept
able to him" Ac. 10: "a, 80.
Lesson Text.-Ac 10: pas. Com
nit vs.. A, 45
t24) And the morrow after they emit
cred into Caesarea And Cornelius
waited for them. and had called to-
gether his kinsmen and near friends,
(25) and as Peter was coming in. Cor
nelius met him, and fell down at his
feet and worshipped him. (36) But
Peter took him up saying Stand up: |
myself also am a man. cd And as he
talked with him. he went in. and found
many that were come together. (20
And he said unto them, Ye know how
that it is an unlawful thing for man
that is Jew to keep company, or come
unto one of another nation
but God hath Showed me that
should not call any man
common OF unclean. (2O There
fore came | unto you without gaiusay-
ing, as soon as | was sent for: ] ask
therefore for what intent We have sent
for me? 500 And Cornelius said. Four
days ago ! was fasting until this hour:
and at the ninth hour | prayed. in my
house, and, behold, "a man stood before
me in bright clothing. (3D And said.
! Cornelius. thy prayer is heard. and
thine aims are had in remembrance in
the sight of God, 1922 Send therefore to
, Joppa, and call hither Simon. whose
surname Is Peter; he is lodged in the
house of one Simon a tanner by the sea
side: who when he cometh, shall speak
unto thee. (33) Immediately therefore
sent to thee; and thou hast well done
that thou art come. Now therefore are
we all here present before God, to hear
all things that are commanded thee of
God. (44 While Peter yet spake these
words the Holy. Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word. (45) And they
of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with
Peter. because that on the Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy
Ghost (46) For they heard them speak
with tongues, and magnify God Then
answered Peter, 90 Can any man for
bid water that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy
manded them to be baptized in the
name of the Lord Then prayed they
him to tarry certain days.
Time.-A. d. 40. Place.-Caesarea
Exposition. Meeting of Peter and
Cornelius, 24-33. Cornelius was eager
~ waiting for the message that should
bring him salvation. He calculated
when his messengers would get ba ok
with Peter and was waiting when they
arrived But he was not content tC
learn the way of life by himself alone
he gathered together his kinsmen anC
near friends to hear with him these su-
premely important words that haC
power to save. How he puts to sham
the Indifference of many of us today
Cornelius had much to learn: he fcl
down to worship Peter. But not TO
one moment will Peter accept tina
which belongs to God alone. God ha
taught Peter another great lesson, viz
not to call any man common or uncleal
Have we, too. learned that lesson
Many in the church, and even man
ministers. have not. Peter said h
had come without talking back a
soon as he was sent for. Do we al
ways come at once without talkin
hack as soon as God sends for us
Cornelius goes over the familiar stor.
again emphasizing the fact that
was while he was praying that Il
heavenly vistant came (cf Dan.
II: Lu. l. 10-11: s. 21-22: g.. %
Deeply suggestive is the statement
Cornelius regarding himself and h
fiji
the sight Of God, TO hear all thiul
hat have been commanded thee
the Lord That is the way to leal
% to come into the presence n
merely of tie man who is speaking
Gods messenger. but into the pre-
Nnce ef God himself t2) To Con
Ito hear" 60 To hear all things
ca To hear that which is comman,
cd Of the Lord and not merely Il
mGn's own thoughts. It would be
great thing if all our Sunday congr
cations could honestly say what Co
nelins here says,
". Gentiles baptized with the HI
Spirit 44-4S In verses 34-43 we ha
the first sermon to the Gentiles C
Is -. II is worthy Of careful stut
Peter bad been led, to see that G
set no distinction between Jew a
Gentle and he begins with this gre
truth. He declares that lin eve
nation he that feareth Him and wor
eth righteousness chat is, every o
VIC has reveTent regard for G
and His viii. and seeks to confol
his own lif" to that WILD is accel
able to Him" Peter does not say
is saved. for Cornelius was not say
Yet tcf ch. IL: 14), and a little furt
or on Peter tells him What he MI
dc in order to be saved ". 43). I
every one who honestly seeks to KIN