The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-03-09
Sunday, March 10

EHdTCn III.
Golden Text God is no re-
specter of persons: but in every
nation ne that feareth him. and
worketh righteousness, is accent
ed with him. Acts 10 :34-25
10 Peter at Joppa and to Cor
menus at Caesarea 80 miles I'D
the Mediterranean coast came d.
vine messages directing each TO
the other and resulting in the
Gentle Pentcost which fransfivad
Jewish prejudice and showed that
the gospel IS for all the world.
Cornelius was Roman, born in
Italy; the captain of a hundred
men at Caesarea, the politicaI
capital of Palestine; and a yerv
religious man who feared God
led his family in worship, gave
aims, and prayed constantly
When Peter, attended by six of
the Joppa brethren, reached
Caesarea, Cornelius with his
kinsmen and near friends await
ed them. Peter entered the man
sion, declining reverence from
the centurion and declaring that
his Jewish prejudice had been
overcome by the vision he had
Just seen at Joppa, and inuuirino.
the purpose of his summons. In
reply, Cornelius related the story
of his vision and obedience to the
angelic command, expressed iov
upon Peters arrival, and declar-
ed that all present were ready to
hear his message.
The Gospel for the Gentiles
was embodied in Peters sermon at
the house of Cornelius. He pre-
sented the gospel in at least five
aspects: (D The gospel is for all.
God is no respecter of persons.
Roman as we'll as Hebrew may be
saved on exactly the same condi-
tions. (2) The gospel is from
Jesus. He is the one bringer of
peace. He is Lord of all. He
was anointed of God for his mis-
sion on earth. While on earth he
went about doing good. And he
accomplished more by his atoning
death than by his sinless life.
{3)i The gospel came through
testimony. Peter and others were
direct and credible witnesses of
the marvellous work of Jesus, of
his sacrificial death, of his glori-
Gus resurrection. (4) The gospel
shines in prophecy. The finger
boards of the old dispensation
PORTED onward to Christ the
SAVIOUR: those of the new, point
onward to Christ the Lord as
Judge of living and dead. go
! The gospel points to duty. Re-
pen. of sin; believe in Christ; re-
ceiye pardon; consecrate to God
proclaim the good news to others,
The Results of Revival were
manifest in the conversion OF
Cornelius and others at Caesarea,
Note three things: (D, The Holy
Spirit fell upon them while Peter
was yet preaching and the aud
ience was paying profound at
tertion to his words. 1t was a
most remarkable manifestation,
reminding of Pentecost, if not
actually duplicating that memoir
able event. The Hebrew Chris
tians present were astonlshed'
(2 The believers were imme.
diately baptized by command OF
Peter who perceived the power
of the spirit and spoke under his
impulse. (3) The revival con-
tinued, for it must not stop with
single service. Asked to tarry
certain days, Peter complied!
doubtless preaching daily and
winning many converts.
The sequel shows that the
Judaistic element in the mother
church opposed work among the
Gentiles and therefore criticized
Peters visit to the Roman cen
turion. In answer Peter simply
told the story Of the revival al
Caesarea. He had been as pre-
JUDGED as any one of his broth
rem, but he remembered the
word of the Lord about the bap'
tism of the Holy Spirit and sa"
its fulfilment among the Gentle
believers at Caesarea as clearl!
as among Herbew believes al
Jerusalem on the day of ente'
cost. He, therefore, did not dare
withstand God whose will anG
word were so unmistakable. AND