Lesson 2755

(Lesson 2755)(07-10-19) Acts 1:1-17
    “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”

    Today’s quote relates that as Peter explained to the other apostles, all devout Jews, why he had mingled with “unclean” Gentiles, He recounted why he was compelled to make the visit to the house of Cornelius. Peter also, in the last part of the quote, related what happened in that house.
    The purpose of the visit was so that Peter, speaking to Cornelius and those in his house, could: “tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved”. The message of salvation that Peter preached was, in essence, that Jesus was Lord: “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name (knowledge of him) WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.”
    Having one’s sins remitted is all that is required to receive the Holy Ghost and to become a child of God. Peter made that clear in his message to Cornelius. Peter also made reference to what John the Baptist had said, "I indeed baptize you with water UNTO REPENTANCE. But He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST and with fire:”
    Water baptism was NOT a part of the message that led those souls to be saved who were assembled at the home of Cornelius. As Peter said, remission of sins, (salvation) comes when one believes in Jesus Christ, NOT as a result of having been immersed in water. ~