THE CONVERSION OF AN UPRIGHT MAN

THE CONVERSION OF AN UPRIGHT MAN

Cornelius, whose conversion is recorded in Acts 10, 11 was a devout, God-fearing man (10:2) who nonetheless needed to be saved (11:14). 

Cornelius was a Gentile; the implication of this Peter acknowledged, saying “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean“ (10:28).

The formidable task of convincing men that the gospel is for all was assigned to the apostle Paul.  Jesus told Ananias that “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).    Later, Paul says that Jesus “said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles’.“

The record of this conversion provided documentary proof that “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

         This gospel is communicated to man by words – James writing that the implanted word “is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).  Many people today think that salvation depends on a direct operation of the Holy Spirit – a “DOHS”.  Some appeal to the conversion of Cornelius, as proof of their contention.   What about that  …  was Cornelius converted by a DOHS, or by the preaching of the word? 

Consider the cases of conversion in the book of Acts, and look

0particularly at the references to the teacher speaking, or the student listening and hearing: a reference of one sort or another – in every case -- to the word being preached. 

          An angel appeared first of all, in verses 3-8, 22.  The purpose of this appearing was to tell the sinner where he could find the preacher, as Cornelius told Peter (11:13 – 15).  The work of the angel was successful, he got the sinner with the preacher.

Cornelius still needs the message of salvation – he is lost.

          Next is the appearance of the Holy Spirit.  In 10:17, Peter was  

wondering about the vision he had seen, when the men sent by Cornelius arrived.  The Holy Spirit told Peter to go with them, “for I have sent them.”  So the work of the Holy Spirit was successful – He got the preacher with the sinner.

          Cornelius still needs the message of salvation – he is lost.

          Then, finally, we come to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  This is recorded in Acts 10:44-46, the sugar stick of those who call for a direct operation of the Holy Spirit for salvation for anyone.  The Holy Spirit fell on “all who heard the word.”  That it had really happened was evident, “they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.”

Cornelius still needs the message of salvation – he is still LOST.

Well then, what is, “baptism in the name of Christ”?

Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ – IS IMMERSION IN WATER,  Acts 10:47, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ – IS THE COMMANDED BAPTISM, Acts 10:48,  “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ – IS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, Acts 2:38, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of  your sins ...’ .”

Cornelius and his household were saved when they heard the word of the message, and obeyed.   The Holy Spirit falling on these Gentiles was to drive home the message to Jewish Christians, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

         

         

Walking by Faith, part 2

Walking by Faith, part 2

We must walk by faith.  What does that mean?“We walk by faith, not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7).  To become a Christian one must go by faith to Him who is “the source of eternal salvation” and obey Him, Hebrews 5:9.  imJHH   This is what 3000 did on the day of Pentecost.  Convicted of sin, they implored Peter for instruction.     Peter “said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of. your sins” Acts 2:38.   This is what the Ephesians did.  According to Paul, John the Baptist “told the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.  On hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:4, 5).  They heard they were to believe; so, they were baptized .

Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, “your will be done”, Matthew 6:10.  Scripture (Ephesians 3:20, 21) teaches us of the unequaled power of God, and that we must submit ourselves to the will of God, Who is able.    If the will of God is not revealed, as in some problem in our lives, we go to Him with faith like that of Shadrack and Abraham, because our God is able, and He will deliver us. One of the terrible realities of this life are lies being proclaimed about the way of salvation.  Eloquent speakers insist that salvation is apart from human effort, or obedience – “only believe”, is their theme.  They give assurance – deceitful assurance – of the salvation of people whose ardent professions of love for the Lord are not manifested by obedience to the Lord – and why should they be? – these folk are being destroyed, “for lack of knowledge”. 

Another error involves the source of faith --    where does faith come from?  To the Bible-believer this question poses no problem at all; Romans 10:17 reads “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  But no, to some that answer is not satisfactory; faith is the gift of God, we are told, and they cite Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”.  So, according to this reasoning, if one does not have faith (confer Hebrews 11:6) he cannot be refused at judgment – because God did not give him the gift of faith!  And thus, they say, faith comes not by hearing the word of Christ, but as a gift from God.  Wait – wait -- in the passage in Ephesians, is it faith, or salvation, which is the gift of God? Romans 6:23, “… the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  The two passages combine to establish the gift as salvation; and the source of faith as the word of Christ.

It is heartbreaking, to encounter men and women whose belief that they have been saved and cannot be lost is so strong that they cannot hear any dissenting voice; but the voice of Jesus will one day say, “And then will I declare unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:203.).

The glorious grace of God has also been distorted.

Walking by faith into the grace of God today is on the same principle as in the day of Naaman (II Kings 5) and Joshua (Joshua 6).  The principle is expressed in Romans 5:2, through Jesus “we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Access by faith into grace in the days of Joshua and Naaman occurred when they obeyed to receive the favor of God.  Access into the favor of God is also by faith today, as when people convinced of sin believe Jesus to be Christ, Acts 2:36, 37.  These believers were told to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38) – and about 3000 of them received the word (Acts 2:41) and were baptized.  They had their access by faith into grace.

Have you received the word of his grace?

Pat

Walking by Faith, part 1

Walking by Faith, part 1

We must walk by faith.  What does that mean?It means that faith (which is trust in God), leads us to obey Him.   The faith of several thousand people whose obedience to the gospel is recorded in the book of Acts is a good starting place ; “… whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, “your will be done”, Matthew 6:10.  Scripture (Ephesians 3:20, 21) teaches us of the overwhelming power of God, and that we must submit ourselves to the will of God, Who is able.    If the will of God is not revealed, as in some problem in our lives, we go to Him with faith like that of Shadrack and Abraham: our God is able, and He will deliver us.When Jesus said we should pray “your will be done”, He was speaking of the will of God which is revealed, what He “has spoken” (Hebrews 1:1, 2).  He was also speaking of things about which the outcome is unknown; so we go to God in prayer, beseeching Him with reference to matters of concern  -- “I am  injured, …” or, “help, my spouse and I are having trouble”; “I am having problems with my children” etc..  The one thing all these appeals have in common, if they are made as they should be, is that with each of them we submit to His unknowable will.:  “I want to walk again, but not my will, but your will be done”.

So: our attitude toward the will of God which is not revealed is, here is what I want; but your will be done!   I will trust and obey (Abraham exemplifies this attitude, in Genesis 12:1-4, and 22:1-2 – confer Hebrews 11:8, 17-20).

It means faith, trust in God, which leads us to submit to Him in all things.  Abraham and his faith come to mind.  Hebrews 11:8 says that Abraham obeyed when he was told to go out, as “he went out, not knowing where he was going” -- he trusted God.    Abraham again, Genesis 22:2, God said to him, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering.  Abraham rose early in the morning … and went to the place of which God had told him”.  Hebrews 11:19 says “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead”; but that knowledge did not dilute his faith in God.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked by faith.  

King Nebuchadnezzar had said, worship me or into the furnace you go.  The faithful reply of the young men was, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But if not, be it known to you, O king that we will not serve your gods …” (Daniel 3:17, 18).   As they spoke, they did not know what God’s will in the matter would be, life or death; they only knew that whatever God’s will was, they would serve Him, and no other: ”your will be done”.

Pat