The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-03-02

I
am God and there is none else.-Isaiah
1922
''God is no respecter of persons"
Sometimes one wonders whether
many of His people know about that
glorious attribute of the Godhead.
One thing is evident, that very few
care to practice this divine princi-
pie. Just now the world seems to
have gone entirely berserk in its
proclamation of race superiority.
Along with undue and improper rec
ognition of wealth and position,
there has always been in the hearts
of men a measure of prejudice
against other races. These hatreds
seem now to have been famed to
a flaming intolerance of such as
are not of what some regard as
their own superior race. The more
definite this intolerance, the more
unlike God people really are. Let
us weigh ourselves in the balances
and see if we too are found wanting.
I. Sin Every Nation" wv. 30-35).
Peter was Jew, and God now
used vision to teach him a much
needed lesson regarding the carry
ing of the gospel to the Gentiles.
The Jews were (and still are-let
us remember it) Gods chosen peo-
pie. However, they were not cho-
sen for their own comfort, conven-
fence, or glory, but that they might
be channels for the outfowing of
Gods blessing to all nations.
Cornelius was typical of those in
every nation who are ready for the
preaching of the gospel. He was a
'God-fearing, righteous man, but
none the less in need of redemp-
ton. God brought this man who
was ready to receive the message
together with the man Peter who
was prepared to preach it, and the
result was salvation.
Whatever it may be that keeps
us from carrying the gospel to all
nations, we ought to recognize as I'M
christian, and put it aside. 1t may
be race-prejudice, for it still per-
sists; but it may be an equally dead
ly Indifference to the needs of 9TH
ers. Let us, like Peter, go to them
and open our mouths ". 34) to pro-
claim Christ.
II. Good Tidings Of Peace" wv.
36-43).
The death of Christ for their sins
". 39), His resurrection from the
dead for their justification ". 40),
the coming judgment for sin ". 42),
and remission of sins in His name
these are the essentials of Peters
message. Note how plain is the
truth. Jesus has come and has
wrought redemption for all who will
believe. Now we must choose wheth-
er we want Him to be our Judge
or our Redeemer. 1t is a case of
"either-or. Either He is your Saw
Jour, or He will be your Judge.
"God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world but
that the world through him might
be saved. He that believeth on him
is not condemned: but he that be-
1ieveth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of
God" John BIT, 18).
The proclamation of this message
of redemption was never completed,
even while Peter yet spake these
words, the Holy Spirit fell upon
them alp ". Az. Blessed inter
ruption Would that we might have
more like it in our churches and
Bible schools.
iii. 'The Holy Spirit FelP' wv.
44-48).
Notice that He came upon chem
which heard the word" ". Az. Book
reviews, political addresses, discus
sion of civic or social problems will
not bring the result. Forums, clubs,
discussion groups, unless they have
for their subject the Word of God,
need not expect anything like this
to happen. But preaching OF the
Word of God concerning the person
and work of Christ, whether it be
In a home Qike that of Cornelius)
or In the great cathedral (and thank
God some of them do have such
preaching), will result in some
soul finding Christ, and receiving
the Holy Spirit.
1t is worthy of note that these be-
levers gave evidence of their new
found spiritual life by magnifying
God, obeying His word, and testify
ing to others. 1t is to the credit of
Peter and his companions that they
recognized the workings of Gods
grace in the lives of these Gentiles.
May we also be quick to see, ap-
preciate, and encourage every true
gospel work, whether it be among
our own people or with some other
race, whether in our church or in
some humble cottage. "God is no
respecter of persons"