The Spectator., 1916-04-14
LESSON FOR APRIL 16
PETER AND CORNELIUS.


 GOLDEN TEXT-There Is no distinc- tion between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord Is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him.-Rom. 10:l2.
 Thus far Christianity had to do with Jews and Jewish proselytes only. Now its circle begins to widen so as to in- clude the Gentiles. The central fig ure of this lesson, Cornelius, was a captain commanding one hundred men in the Roman army. The chasm be- tween blacks and whites, which so widely exists in America, Is nothing compared to that which divided the Jew and Gentle. We take the whole story of Cornelius in today's lesson and consider the Easter story next week.
 1. A Prepared Convert (vs. 1-S). CD His position. Caesarea was on the great sea and was the political capital of Judea. It was about seventy miles from Jerusalem and thirty from Joppa. Cornelius, who was captain of band of men born in Italy, was Roman citizen, and perhaps had been connect ed with the great Roman general Scipio. (2) His character. He was man of promptness, appreciation and obedience, (v. 33). He was also God-fearing man, whose piety included his whole household. He was a man of prayer and generosity (vs. 31, 32). for he gave much aims" to both Jews and Gentiles. The result was that he was honored greatly by all, especially by the Jews. It does not seem that Cornelius was proselyte to the Jewish faith tvs. 2S-11:3). and he certainly was not as yet saved man 11:13, IA. Cornelius was a man of vision. not of dreams or of frances, for this vision came in the open daylight (v. 30), when an angel looking like man, appeared unto him. His fear was calmed and he was informed that his prayer, for he was seeker after God" had been heard. The memorial" (v. 4) spoken of was that part of the meal offering which the priest burned upon the altar and which ascended un- to the Lord as a sweet savor (See also Nal. 3:16). Cornelius Is put to a strange test. He Is to send for an unknown man to receive instruction. The angel was not to enlighten him. as 1t is mans province to witness for God There is not recorded Bible conversion without some human in. strumentality. Cornelius, soldier that he was, at once obeyed instructions and sent out two devout retainers after Peter. Man alone could finish the work of the angels.
 II. The Prepared Preacher (vs. 9-23). Tanning was considered an unclean occupation, but in Simons house was the man God wanted to use on this occasion. No matter how poor a preacher, or unlikely tho situation, if we obey God we can preach better than Gabriel. God laid. as 1t were, his right hand on Cornelius, and his left upon Peter, and drew them together. Again God uses a dream, linking the natural and the supernatural. A hun gry man dreams of food, a very com- mon occurrence, and God gave super natural direction to natural dream. God knows the right time to do the right thing. We do not need dreams for our guidance as We have a full and sufficient revelation in the Word for our guidance.
 III. The Prepared Ones Meet tvs. 23-33). Cornelius had his whole house. hold ready when Peter arrived (v. 24), perhaps more people than on the day of the first great Pentecost. He said. We are all here present in the sight of God to hear all the things that have been commanded thee of the Lord" This is a great statement if we con- sider it's full content. Peter refused to accept worship, that alone belongs to Christ (v. 25) and he explained how God had thrust him outside of the cir cle of Jewish believers. He then re- hearsed what God had done and as- serted that He is no respecter of per sons," and that in response to those in every nation who work righteous ness God had sent forth Jesus for the salvation of men, CD That men might have peace through him (v 36); (2) That he might be Lord over all; (3) That he had been anointed with the Holy Spirit and power; (D That he had been crucifed q Pet. 1: IS, 19; 2:24; (5) That God had raised him from the dead; (6) That he is to be the judge, and CD That because of what he had done-'through the name of Jesus"-all that believe shall have remission of sins" (This is a good sermon outline.) Following this won- iderful sermon, there occurred the Gen. tile Pentecost (vs. 44-46).
 Practical. Cornelius had lack. and he went to God to have it sup piled (v. 4). Peter found his enlight- enment in prayer.
 God revealed his regard for all man. kind, and that Jesus Christ can and will save all who come to him by faith.
 At Caesarea the infant church dis covered that it's field is the world and