Jump Start # 177 

Acts 10:1 “Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.”

  Cornelius—what an interesting study. Acts 10 shows the gospel being taken to the Gentile people by Peter. It was hard for Peter. God had to send him a vision three times before he got it. Long ago God had planned for all people of all nations to be included in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and this was the starting point for the Gentile race.

  Cornelius—a Roman soldier and a commander at that. Jewish people didn’t do things with Gentiles. No business transpired between Jews and Gentiles. A Jewish doctor would not help a Gentile, even in an emergency. The common thought was God is dealing with them and they are getting what they deserve. On top of all this, Jewish people hated Romans. They were occupied by Rome and longed to be independent. God’s first choice to represent the Gentile race was Cornelius, a Roman soldier.

  Cornelius had some amazing qualities about him. Luke, the writer of Acts, calls him, “devout and one who feared God.”  He prayed to God continually. He also gave “MANY” alms to the Jewish people. His faith impacted his family. All his household are described with these qualities. Now many would say Cornelius was a Christian. Any one who loves God, prays and gives is a Christian, the Bible says otherwise. More would think, here is one who will be in Heaven, because he’s such a good man. Herein lies a great lesson for us. Salvation cannot be earned. We’ve heard that but we forget that. No one, even this man, is good enough for Heaven. The doors of Heaven are not opened simply because someone prays or gives. Without Christ, no one, even Cornelius can go to Heaven. That is hard for us to grasp. That means the little old widow down the street who makes cookies for everyone is not going to Heaven because she is so sweet. That’s right! She will be in Heaven if she has walked with Christ and has obeyed what her Lord told her through the Scriptures. It is the same for all of us. It is the same for Cornelius. This is why Peter is at his house. In Acts 11:14 Peter says concerning the visit to Cornelius, that he came to “speak words to you by which you will be saved.” When Peter finished telling Cornelius about Jesus, this Roman soldier was baptized, along with his household. Baptized just as Jesus had said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” What if Cornelius refused? What if he just wanted to keep praying, giving and that’s all? The answer is obvious. He would have remained outside of Christ. His sins would not have been forgiven. He would have remained lost. Salvation is in Jesus Christ. That is the message preached over and over.

  Before we leave Cornelius today, there is one other lesson to note. This man was so good, yet not a Christian. He was generous, prayerful and devout, yet not a Christian. Sometimes, sadly, folks who are not Christians act better than the Christians do. Sometimes help comes from the neighbor who never goes to church instead of the one who never misses a service. Sometimes the first person with money in their hand to help out is the person who is not in Christ. This doesn’t seem right and it messes with our faith some what. We expect brethren to act like Jesus, but they don’t always do. Some can be gossipy and mean spirited. The one with the kind and generous spirit  may be the military guy or the police officer or the coach. I’m thankful they are like that. It reminds me to step up and do what I should. I’m a Christian—no excuses.

  Do you know a Cornelius in your life?  Have you shared the gospel with him? Why not today!

Roger

Jump Start # 176 

Acts 9:27 “But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”

  Our passage today is about two men—one who changed and the other who believed in him and gave him a chance. This is about Saul, later known as the apostle Paul. He was an aggressive persecutor of the early Christians. He was holding the coats as his comrades were throwing stones at Stephen, a couple of chapters before. He had arrested Christians, both men and women and imprisoned them. He was a real threat in Jerusalem. Now he was off to Damascus to do the same. But God had other plans. Ananias was brought to Saul. The gospel was preached. A change of heart took place. Faith in Christ sprang up. There was a baptism. This threat upon the church now became a voice for Christ. Instead of gathering up Christians to persecute, he was gathering up Jews to preach.

  Eventually, Saul had to return to Jerusalem. That was the hub of the Jewish religion. That is where the Temple was located. It was in Jerusalem that Stephen was killed. Our passage finds Saul back there. He tried to associate with the disciples there. They were afraid. They didn’t believe him. It is hard for us to imagine. It’s hard to grasp being so afraid of one person who was a threat to our faith and worship. A person who may have been responsible for killing your parents or children. And on a Sunday there he is among us. He claims he has changed. The nerve of such a person! Who would want to sit beside him? Who would want to hug him? Suspicions and accusations fill the air.

  Then Barnabas arrives. Everyone loves Barnabas. His name is actually Joseph, but the apostles called him the encourager, or Barnabas. He was the generous giver in Acts 4. He had been sent by the church to preach. Outside of the apostles, Barnabas was an early favorite of the disciples. Barnabas knows the story of Saul. He knows he has changed. He believes in him. Barnabas comes to bat for Saul. The church accepts, because of the confidence they have in Barnabas.

  There are good lessons for us here. First, people do change. Bad can quit and become good. Sadly, good can quit and become bad. Don’t type cast a person. Give them a chance. Let them speak for themselves and see where they are. A dishonest person can become honest. A liar can become truthful. A faithless person can embrace faith.

  We need to stick up for folks who are trying to do right. This is what Barnabas did. Now, sometimes we find people defending family and friends, simply because they are family and friends. The people they defend are not honest or good. The defenders lose credibility with others because they defend corrupt people. We are not saying that here. We are talking about defending folks who have honestly changed for Jesus. They are repentant. They are sorry. They strive to be righteous and holy. They deserve a chance, just as each of us did at one time.

  Barnabas believed. He didn’t go along with what others were saying. This is what friendship will do. But more than that this is what fellowship and discipleship will do.

Roger