The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-03-07


The missionary program of the
church having broadened to include the
Samaritans in Philips preaching in
Samaria we see in this lesson the pro-
gram still widening and embracing the
Gentiles. Through the conversion of
Cornelius, the middle wall of par
tition was broken down (Eph. 2:14.
|. The Man Cornelius (10:1, p.
l. His official position ". y. He
was a centurion, Roman officer over
a company of one hundred soldiers.
2. His character ". q. a. "a de-
vout man" b. A benevolent man. C.
"A praying man. d. Highly respected
by his family.
The Lord chose Cornelius as the
channel of the transition Of the gospel
to the Gentiles because Of his character
and position.
II. Supernatural Preparation for
the Transition of the Gospel to the
GentIes (1O:3-35).
In order to bring this about, OBJ
serve:
l. Two visions were given.
a. 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. Cornelius sent at once for Peter.
b. The vision of Peter wv. 9-16).
While Peter was praying ". 81 he saw
q 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,
that call not thou common" This YES
sci, let down and taken back, indicated
that both Jews and Gentiles were &C.
copied on high.
2. A messenger sent from Cornelius
wv. 1922. Peter was greatly per-
picked over what he had seen, but not
for long, for messenger from Cor
nelius made inquiry at the gate for
him. The Spirit Informed Peter Of the
matter and babe him go, nothing doubt
ing.
8. The meeting of Cornelius and Pc
ter wv. 1888.
a. Peter took six witnesses along
". % CT. II :12). In matter Of so
great Importance he must have wit,
nesses.
b. Cornelius waiting for Peter ~
24) called together his kinsmen and
near friends.
C. Cornelius, about to worship Peter
: wv. %, 26), was told by Peter that he
himself was but a man.
d. The reciprocal explanation wv
,27-33). Peter explained how God had
taken from him his Jewish prejudices
Cornelius explained how God had in
structed him to send for Peter.
Ill. Peters Sermon wv. 34-43).
l. The introduction wv. a. $50
showed that God is no respecter of per
sons (see Golden Text.
2. His discourse wv. 36-43) touches
briefly upon the mission of Jesus show.
ing that he was qualified for his work
as a Mediator. He then exhibited the
work of Christ.
a. In his life wv. $500. He went
about doing good, even casting out
demons, as a proof of the fact that
God was with him ". 3S).
b. In his death ". 39). The just
suffered for the unjust that he might
bring us to God Il Pet. 3:1S).
C. In his resurrection wv. 40, All
God raised him up the third day, show
ing openly that Christ was his Scr
Rom. 1:4) and that his sacrifcia
work was satisfactory (Rom. 4 :25). II
this discourse Peter sets forth
~ The basis of salvation-the sac
rifcial death of Christ wv. SO, 40) (2)
The scope of whosoever'
". 43). (3) The method appropriat
ing salvation-"believeth on him" "
43).
~. The New Pentecost wv. 44-4S)
AS the gospel was entering upon it
widest embrace the Holy Spirit camt
in new power.
v. Peter indicates His Ministry Il
the GentiIes III :1-1S).
Being called to account for visitin.
and eating with Gentiles Peters de
tense took the form of logical argu
.ment, showing how God had set hi
seal on the work by the miraculou
gift of the Spirit.
Religion of Love