February, 1939
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
64
I N T E R N A T I O N A L L E S S O N Commentary Outline and Exposition Blackboard Lesson Childrens Division Golden T ext Illustration Object Lesx>n B y B. B. S utcliffe B y G retchen S ibley B y H elen G ailey B y A lan S. P earce B y E lmer L. W ilder Points and Problems B y A lva J. M c C lain
baptized, or attaineth certain spiritual growth, or obtaineth sanctification, and so on. These exercises and attainments un doubtedly will be seen in the obedient be liever, but they do not procure redemption for him. It is the gospel of the grace of God that saves, and that gospel admits of nothing that man can do to merit it. III. T he E ffects (44-48) As the company listened to the words of Peter, their hearts were opened to receive the message. They accepted it and put their trust in Christ. There was no period of seeking, no time of probation; but these people were saved immediately, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. The Jews who accompanied Peter were astonished that the Holy Spirit should be given to the Gentiles as He had been given to themselves. But God was showing them that He was no respecter of persons and that the middle wall between Jew and Gen tile was broken down, and now the gospel of grace was for all men everywhere, of every race and condition. To convince them of the reality of the conversion of these Gentiles, the Holy Spirit gave His testimony by causing the Gentiles to speak with tongues, and magnify God, thus satis fying the doubts of the Jewish believers. After receiving such testimony as this, there was nothing for Peter to do but to admit these people into the fold. Accord ingly, "he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (cf. vs. 47, 48). The final outcome was the glad fellowship enjoyed by these newly saved individuals and the brethren from Jerusalem. Points and Problems 1. "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard" (Acts 10:31). Since Cornelius was not yet a Christian believer, it has been argued that God will answer the prayers of any sincere man regardless of his religion. But it should be noticed that Cornelius was already a worshiper of the one true God, having become in some sense a proselyte of the Jewish faith (cf. 10:1, 2 ). And furthermore, it should not be forgotten that up to this time Cornelius evidently had not heard the gospel. For men today, who have heard and rejected the gospel, to sup pose that they can pray to God and be heard, is not only sheer nonsense but verg es on sacrilege of the worst kind. For in true prayer men enter into the "Holy of Holies,” and not even a priest could enter there in the Old Testament type without blood. How much worse, therefore; in the antitype to attempt an entrance of this kind! 2. "In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him ” (v. 35). This is another text upon which men inclined toward Univer- salism have attempted to base their errors. But the reader should note carefully that
MARCH 5, 1939 PETER PREACHES TO GENTILES A cts 10:1-48
him, he was still a lost man, because he was without the gospel, and God sent Peter to him with the gospel he needed (cf. 11:14). In the gathering at Cornelius' house, the requirements for an ideal gospel service were met: the preacher was there with the truth to proclaim, the audience was waiting to hear the truth, and the Holy Spirit was ready to apply the truth. It was an assem bly, not in the sight of Peter, or in the sight of one another, but "in the sight of God” (v. 33, R. V .). And they were gathered “to hear all things” that had been “commanded . . . of the Lord” (v. 33, R .V .). They wanted, and they needed, what God the Lord would say. And as Peter was God’s mouthpiece, they were eager and ready to receive from him. If there was more of such demand from the pew today, undoubtedly there would be more of “thus saith the Lord” from the pulpit. II. T he S ermon (34-43) Peter preached a short but comprehen sive sermon, one that was easily under stood. It was all about the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and empha sized the gospel of the grace of God. The universality of grace was declared in that God is no respecter of persons—and grace makes the salvation of every man possible, whether Jew or Gentile. The medium for the display of grace was the work of Jesus Christ in His death, resurrection, and promised coming again. His death was not for His own sins, but the sins of others (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:6; 2 Cor. 5:21 J. Man had rejected and slain Him, but God had accepted and raised.Him from among the dead. The promise of grace is that "whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (v. 43). The prophets bear witness to the three great facts that Peter pre sented: Christ’s death, resurrection, and second coming; and they also bear witness that by believing in Him, one obtains re mission of sins. Remission of sins is not for whosoever feeleth deep repentance, or doeth great works, or prayeth much, or is BLACKBOARD LESSON
Acta 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was lasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, t 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. , . , 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now there fore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: . , . . . 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the chil dren of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of a ll:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began ttom Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a ***40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was or dained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all diem which heard the word. , , , , . , , 45 And they of the circumcision which be lieved were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name oi the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Lesson Text: Acts 10:30-48. Golden Text: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isa. 45:22). Devotional Reading: Psa. 98:1-9. Outline and Exposition I. T he A udience (30-33) C ORNELIUS was a devout man, one who feared God and prayed much, was liberal with his money, occu pied a prominent position, and, humanly speaking, was an example for others to follow. But although all this was true of [These lessons are developed from out lines prepared by the Committee on Im proved Uniform Lessons o f the Inter national Council. T he outlines are copy righted by the International Council o f Religious Education and used by permis sion. Scripture portions quoted are from the King fam es Version unless otherwise stated.]
3 / 5 / 3 9
is n o x t m Ç .'.ilE S P ^ C T E ft;:
PERSO ns” / I'LOOK UFITO iïlE, ROD f 5 t M E SBUED, BLITHE
EITDS OF THE EARTH '■ F0R.I nm cod , nnD THEM- IS n o n E ELSE'
»SR.46:22
G / U / S
Made with FlippingBook HTML5