The Elbert County tribune., 1920-02-13
LESSON.F0R FEBRUARY IS
PETER AND CORNELIUS.

LESSON TENT-Acts 10
GOLDEN TExT-The same Lord over
all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 1o;le
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL - Acts Is.
PRIMARY ToPIC-God's Love for Ev-
srybody
JUNIOR TopIc-Peter Wins Roman
Captain.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Overcoming OF Prejudice.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Significance Of the Conversion OF Cor
nelius.
The conversion of Cornelius broke
down the middle wall of partition"
between the Jews and Gentiles (Eph.
2:4).
I. Cornelius wv. l. ~.
/. His official position ". -. He
was Roman officer over company
OF 100 soldiers. perhaps of about the
same rank as a captain In the Ameri-
can army.
2. His character ". p. "a A de-
vout. pious man. His heart was filed
with godly fear. (2) He was pray
Ing man he observed the Jewish hour
of prayer. (3) He was charitable; he
gave much aims. (1 He was respect
ed by his family.
The Lord chose Cornelius for the
transition of the Gospel to the Gen
tiles because Of his character and po-
sltion. No Jew could find any fault
with him. He was u good man. but
not a saved man.
u. The Supernatural Preparation
for the Transition Of the Gospel to tho
Gentiles wv. 3-33).
/. Two visions were given. Q) The
vision of Cornelius wv. 3-S). While
engaged in prayer an angel of God
instructed him to send to Joppa for
Peter. who would tell him what to
do. The angel told him that Peter
lodged with Simon, "A tanner to show
Cornelius that Peter was not the
strictest Jew. The calling Of a tan
ner was regarded as unclean by the
strict Jews, and the tanners were COM
manded to dwell apart. Cornelius sent
at once for Peter. He was living up
to the best light he had so he received
more. (2) The vision of Peter wv.
9-16). This took place while Peter
was praying ". %. If one would re-
ceive visions from God, let him pray
to God; for the heavens are open to
those who pray. He saw a certain
vessel containing clean and unclean
animals let down from heaven. and
heard the command: Rise. Peter
kill. and eat" Peter protested that
he had never eaten any unclean thing.
God replied: ''What God hath
cleansed. call not thou common" This
vessel let down from heaven and taxi
er back indicated that both Jew and
Gentle were accepted on high.
| 2. Messengers from Cornelius (vv.
17-22). Peter was greatly perplexed
over what he had seen. but not for
long; for messengers from Cornelius
made inquiry at the gate for him. The
spirit Informed Peter of the matter
and bade him go, nothing doubling.
3. The meeting of Cornelius and Pc
ter wv. 23-33). ~ Peter took six
witnesses along ". 23). He had the
good Judgment to know that on mat
| ter of so great Importance he must
have witnesses. This was proved at
the Jerusalem council in the consider
ntion of the question of the reception
of the Gentiles into the church III Il
1S). (2) Cornelius waiting for Peter
| ". 24). He called together his kins-
men and near friends. (3) Cornelius
about to worship Peter wv. %. 26).
Peter repudlated this act and protest
ed that he was but a man. The true
| ,f teIf hut
fuses to be worshiped. az The re-
ciprocal explanation wv. 27-33). Pc
ter explained to him how God had
| taken from him his Jewish prejudice
and asked that Cornelius state the
purpose of his having sent for him.
Cornelius explained how God had ap-
peared unto him and instructed him
to send for Peter.
~. Peters Sermon wv. 34-43).
| /. The Introduction wv. 81, 35). He
showed that God is no respecter of
persons, but that in every nation those
who fear God and work righteousness
are accepted Of him.
2. The discourse wv. 36-43). In the
discourse he touches briefly upon the
mission of Jesus. showing that by
means of his baptism and amounting
with the Holy Spirit he was quail
fed for his work us mediator. He
then exhibited the work of Christ (1)
in his life wv. 36-39). t2) In his death
". 800. (3) In his resurrection wv
] 40. Az.
~. The Holy Spirit Poured Out
wv. 44-48).
This was new Pentecost. AS the
Gospel was entering upon its widest
embrace the Spirit came In new power