Calvin Synod Herald, 2015 (116. évfolyam, 9-10. szám)
2015-09-01 / 9-10. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD III. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION w. 17-22 The vision left Peter confused. While the vision left Peter wondering what in the world that God was trying to tell him, the three men from Cornelius came up to the gate and called out if Peter was there. “Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. (18) And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. (19) While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. (20) Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” (21) Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” (22) And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” (23) Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.” “We note how perfectly God dovetailed his working Cornelius and in Peter. For while he was praying and seeing his vision, the men from Cornelius were approaching the city (9-16); while Peter was still perplexed about the meaning of what he had seen, they arrived at his house (17-18); while Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him that the men were looking for him and that he must not hesitate to go with to go with them (19-20); and when Peter went down and introduced himself to them, they explained to him the purpose of their visit.” [John Stott. The Spirit, The Church and the World: The Message of Acts. (Downers Grove, ILL: Inter Varsity Press, 1990) pp. 187- 188.] It is significant that Peter invited these men into the house, where they must have shared in the meal and spent the night. It is obvious that barriers are continuing to be tom down. I believe that it is often the case that the Lord shows us some new truth and then gives us an opportunity to act on what we have learned. This new truth in our lives may have come in personal bible study, or a class or a sermon, but when God has challenged our hearts, he often provides situations or circumstances that call upon us to put those principles into practice. The Lord who has made his wonderful truth real to us, will also provide perfectly timed opportunities. We should expect them. Welcome them as gifts. Look for them with expectancy. And when they happen we will know has prepared us for what will be given opportunities to minister. IV THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VISION vv. 24-33 “And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. (25) As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. (26) But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” (27) And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. (28) Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep compare with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. (29) Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” (30) So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, (31) and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. (32) Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ (33) So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” (NKJV) When he arrived Cornelius fell at his feet in worship. Peter’s response shows that he realized that it was inappropriate either to worship somebody as if they were God or to reject anyone as if they were unclean. Peter refused to be treated as a god or to treat Cornelius as if he were a dog. Conclusion First, it was prayer (v5, 9) on the part of both Peter and Cornelius that made them receptive to God’s leading. Is your prayer life strong enough that God can use it to guide you and give you direction? “E Stanley Jones once said, T find myself better or worse as I pray more or less. It works with almost mathematical precision.” Second, the vision that changed the world began by changing one man. Peter’s attitude was changed, although he was a still a little rough around the edges. Sometimes he slipped up as he did in Antioch and regressed. But God changed him and he can change us. Alexander Whyte said, “It would change your whole heart and life this very (day) if you would take Peter and Cornelius home with you and lay them both to heart. If you would take a four cornered napkin when you get home, and a.... Pen and ink and write the names of the nations, and the churches, and the denominations, and the congregations, and the ministers, and the public figures (men), and the private citizens, and the neighbors, and the fellow-worshippers - all the people you dislike, and despise and do not, cannot, and will not, love. Heap all their names into your unclean napkin, and then look up and say, ‘Not so, Lord, I neither can speak well, nor think well, of these people. I cannot do it and I will not try. If you’re acted out and spoke out all the evil things that are in your heart in some such way as that, you would thus get such a sight of yourselves that you would never forget it.” [As quoted in (R. Kent Hughes. Acts: The Church Afire. Wheaton, ILL: Crossway Books, 1996) pp. 147-148] The problem is that we are just as selective about those with whom we are willing to share the gospel as Peter and his Jewish brethren were. Do we see those around us as potential believers or do we view them as unreachable? Are there co-workers and family that we have written off as impossible to reach for the kingdom of Christ.
