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Outline. (1) The Guest of Cornelius, vs. 24-33. (2) The Gospel for the Gentiles, vs. 34-43. (3) The Gentiles Baptized, vs. 44- 4S. (1) THE GUEST OF CORNELIUS, vs. 24-33. Peter took with him to the house of Cornelius six men, (ch. 11:12), Peter himself making the seventh— a perfect witness to the transaction. C o r n e l l us ex- LESSON pected Peter. His EXPOSITION faith was based up- T. C. Horton on God’s promise that Peter should tell him what to do. Cornelius had gathered his kinsmen and near friends. This is what Matthew did also (Matt. 9:9, 10); and the woman of Samaria (John 4:28, 29). Great things might he done for the Lord and for people, if more homes were opened for class work and Bible teaching. Peter was not a pope, for he rejected personal worship. He never offered his great toe to human lips. To kiss the pope’s toe and the blarney stone are about on a par. Peter was a creature of God. He was a sinner like Cornelius He was of God and could not dishonor God. (Luke 4:8; Acts 14:13-15.) John made a mistake in seeking to wor ship an angel (Rev. 19:10). He?o worship of any kind is obnoxious to the Lord. Peter does not say “ I am an apostle” but “ I am a man.” The cause of idolatry is spiritual blindness. Peter made an honest confession (v. 28). He had been subject to tradition, but God had taught him the new law (Rom. 8 :3). God had to whip Jonah to make him willing to ^ive the message to the Gentiles. Cornelius rehearsed •his story and commended Peter for coming: “ Thou
hast well done.” It was well for Peter, well for Cornelius, well for the church, and well for the world. This was an important gathering. It meant more for the Gentile world than any other gathering ever held. - It was a model meeting: Called of God,SHi0 chance gathering. All pres ent,— special invitation. All reverent, — before God, not to see Peter. All at tention,— came to hear God’s message. All obedient,— things commanded. All believed. All saved. All baptized. (2) THE GOSPEL FOR THE GEN TILES, vs. 34-43. Peter gave a model sermon. He had an audience with ready ears (Matt. 15: 10; Deut. 32:46). This was Samuel’s attitude (1 Sam. 3 :9). The Lord’s ad monition is important (Mark 4:24). Many lose the best things from God be cause of indifferent hearing. Outline of the sermon: 1. God is no respecter of persons. All men are acceptable to God. 2. There is peace for the restless world. 3. ' The peace-maker is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. 4. The^life of Jesus Christ attests His claim as Prince of Peace. 5. Peace was purchased through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 6. Chosen witnesses testify to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 7. Peter was empowered to preach the Gospel of peace. 8. Faith in this crucified, risen Christ brings peace. This was the opening sermon to the Gentiles, and in it we have the essence of all Gospel preaching. The world is a lost world, and all men are on an equality so far as sin is concerned (Rom. 3:10-23). No works of right eousness count with God (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5). Peter is there to bridge the chasm between Jewish prejudice and Gentile superstition and unbelief.
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