THE KING’ S BUSINESS
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a man stood before me in bright clothing {apparel), and said {saith), Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." Cor nelius goes over the familiar^story (see preceding lesson). He emphasizes the fact that it was while he was praying that the heavenly visitant came. It is when we are praying that heavenly visitants are most likely to come (cf. Dan. 9:21; Luke 1:10, 11; 3 :21, 22; 9 :29). It is a wonderful thing to have God say to us what He said to Cornelius, “Thy prayer is heard,” yet God often says it to those who are absolutely surrendered to His will and listening for His voice. It is evident from, the context that what Cornelius had been praying for was light, and his prayer was answered by sending him the one who should bring him the light and should declare to him the -saving truth (cf. ch. 11:13, 14).- Not only Cornelius’ prayers but his alms were remembered before God.- vs. 32, 33. “Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither {unto thee) Simon, .whose sur name is Peter {who tis surnamed P eter); he is lodged {lodgetn) in the house of one (omit, one) Simon a tanner by the seaside, who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee (omit, who, When he cometh, shall speak unto thee). Immediately {Forth with) therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast well done, that thou art come; Now therefore we are all here present before {in the sight of) God, to hear all things that are {have been) commanded thee of God {the Lord).” Though an angel had come to Cornelius the angel could not tell the way o f salvation; that was reserved for a man to do. So the angel told him where to send to find the man that would show him the way o f life. Cornelius acted with promptness: he sent immediately for the man with the message. How unlike many today who know they need a mes sage of salvation and know who can tell it to them, and intend some day to send for him, but do not act at once. There is profound suggestiveness in the.statement of Cornelius regarding himself, and his
Not for one moment will Peter accept that which belongs to God alone. There have been many who have claimed to be succes sors o f Peter who have been willing to accept for themselves the worship which Peter refused. But not only have the Popes been guilty of this folly and sin, but many Protestant ministers have been willing to accept what very nearly approaches to worship. Our Lord accepted for Himseif the worship at the thought o f receiving which Peter was horror- struck (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:52; Matt. 13 :43; John 20 :28, 29). That shows clearly and conclusively that the Lord claimed Deity for Himself (c f. 1 John 5:23). vs. 27, 28. “And as he talked with him, he went in, and found . (findeth) many (add, that were) come together. Änd he said unto them, Ye (add, yourselves) know how that it. is art unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew, to keep company {join him self) or come unto one of another nation: but God hathjhowed me ( and yet unto me hath God showed) that I should no.t call any man common or unclean." God had taught Peter a great lesson, viz., not to call any man common or unclean. Not only had God taught the lesson, but Peter had learned it. Have we too learned that les son?, Many in the church and even many ministers have not. There are few lessons that need more than this to be learned by the average Christian today. v. 29. “ Therefore cäme I unto you ( Wherefore also I came) without gainsay ing, as soon as {when) I was sent for. I ask therefore, for {with) what intent ye have (omit, have) sent for me." Peter came just as soon as he was called, and he came without talking, back. Have we too learned the wisdom of coming at once when God calls us, and that, without attempt to talk back to God and reason with Him to show Him He is wrong? vs. 30, 31, “And Cornelius said, four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I prayed^ in my house, {until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house;) and behold,
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