OPENING PRAYER
"Man Shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"- Matthew 4:4- "My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it" - Mark 8:21
Having received this day as a gift, I (We) thank You Holy Trinity, for through Your goodness and patience You were not wrathful with me (Us), and idler (s) and sinner (s), neither have You cast me (Us) down in my (Our)sins...But You have shown Your love towards me (us) and have guided me (us) to keep my (our) daily watch to glorify Your power...Enlighten my (our) mind (minds) to study Your teachings in Scripture...Help me (us) to apply what I (we) learn and to praise You with all my (our) heart and glorify Your Holy Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever...Amen!!!
Shine within my (our) hearts, loving Master, the pure Light of Your Divine Knowledge, and open the eyes of my mind that I may understand Your teachings...Instill in me (us) also reverence for Your Blessed commandments, so having conquered sinful desires I (we) may pursue a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You...For You, Christ my God, are my light, and to You I (we) give, glory, together with Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now and forever...Amen!!!
CHANT PSALM 23
INTO YOUR HANDS LORD YESHUA (JESUS CHRIST) WE COMMIT OUR SOULS AND BODIES, BLESS US AND HAVE MERCY ON US AND GRANT US ETERNAL LIFE!!!
ACTS 10 STUDY GUIDE & BREAKDOWN
CORNELIUS'S VISION
ACTS 10:1-8
10:1: WITH THIS CHAPTER: a whole new period in church history begins: Initially composed of Jews and then Samaritans- (Acts 8:5-25-notes), with the conversion of CORNELIUS the Church begins its dramatic growth among the Gentiles!!!
10:2: "FEARER OF GOD": was a formal designation for a gentile who followed precepts of the Jewish religion but had not yet become a proselyte-(convert): Two things characterized the devotion of Cornelius: HE GAVE ALMS GENEROUSLY AND HE PRAYED: His devotion did not make Him a Christian, but His prayers and alms were accepted by God- (v. 4) and prepared him for conversion to Yeshua (Jesus) Christ at the preaching of Peter: Even good people need Christ!!!
10:3: THE NINTH HOUR IS 3:00 PM: one of the traditional hours of liturgical prayer for both Jews and early Christians: These hours of liturgical prayer were prayed by both the Jewish Christians (Peter in v. 9) and Gentile Christians- (Cornelius here): This practice continues in the Orthodox Church today- (see my Acts 3:1 notes):
10:7: CORNELIUS'S OBEDIENCE: to God shows the true state of his heart, for it is those who not only hear but also do the will of God that are the true believers (Matthew 7:21; Romans 2:13; and James 1:22):
PETER'S VISION
ACTS 10:9-23
10:9: THE SIXTH HOUR IS 12:00 NOON: a traditional hour of liturgical prayer- (see my notes in v. 3)
10:14-15: PETER'S RESISTANCE SHOWS: the difficulty with which the Jews let go of the Law: God's commandment here is first a declaration that the Old Covenant dietary laws are fulfilled and no longer in effect- (See my notes Mark 7:19- which is posted to my page): More importantly, this vision revealed that the Gentiles, who were considered unclean by the Jews, ARE CLEANSED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST and are equal partakers of the Kingdom of God- (see v. 28): This vision prepared Peter to receive Cornelius- (vv. 17-48): Finally, this also teaches us that God desires to receive everyone into His Church, regardless of heritage, social class, or past sins, for all are one in Christ!!!
PETER PREACHES TO GENTILES
ACTS 10:24-43
10:28: See my Notes- (Acts 10:14-15)
10:30: THE NINTH HOUR: See notes at (v. 3): A MAN...IN BRIGHT CLOTHING signifies an angel!!!
10:33: CORNELIUS: and those with him are eager TO HEAR, for- "faith comes by hearing" -(Romans 10:17), and faithful and devoted people still in need to hear the gospel!!!
10:34-43: PETER'S FOCUS: is on the saving work and power of Jesus Christ, His death and Resurrection, and how He fulfilled the word spoken by the OT PROPHETS- (v. 43):
10:35: JUSTIFICATION: is not merely a one-time event, but a dynamic, ongoing process: In addition to faith, two conditions are given here: God accepts whoever FEARS HIM AND WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS: This does not deny justification by faith, but demonstrates clearly that justification is not by faith alone- (James 2:24):
10:38: IT WAS IN HIS HUMANITY: That Yeshua (Jesus) was ANOINTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, for Christ possessed the Holy Spirit from all eternity before the Incarnation: The Orthodox core faith is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit- (The Trinity- or Godhead): God the Father, together with His Son YESHUA (JESUS) AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, are co-operational in the salvation of mankind!!!
THE GENTILE PENTECOST
ACTS 10:44-48
10:44: THE GIVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: prior to baptism is something the Church had not seen before- (v. 45): The unusual occurrence is a sign that god has accepted the Gentiles, and that baptism is not to be denied them:
10:48: TO BE BAPTIZED: is of monumental importance: Even after the household of Cornelius had believed and received the Holy Spirit, baptism was still essential: The Book of Acts clearly teaches the crucial importance of the great sacraments-baptism- (see also- Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 8:12, 36-38; Acts 9:18; Acts 16:15, 33; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:5; Acts 22:16); chrismation, or the sacramental reception of the Holy Spirit- (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:17; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:6); The Eucharist- (Acts 2:42, 46; Acts 20:7; Acts 27:35); and ordination- (Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23):
If you been following me for awhile than maybe some of you might recall me saying, I love reading about Cornelius's vision...That's because I'm a Gentile and if Peter had not listen to his vision and decided to stay stuck in his ways could the outlook for the Gentiles may have been different??? If you are looking for a good example of putting Yeshua's (Jesus') teachings and Words and great practice is Cornelius, honestly he is a great example as well to follow!!! I have said many times being a Christian is not about religious traditions are even going to Church every Sunday, no being a follower of Yeshua (Jesus) is a change of heart and mind-called repentance, a radical shift of shunning evil and always doing good... It's understanding only Yeshua (Jesus) can redeem you, His salvation is a gift of His grace!!! We all have the choice the option to deny or self-will, pick up our own Cross and follow our Lord and Savior!!! Following Him isn't always easy and sometimes comes with trials and tribulations that will test your faith, but like a said following Christ is like climbing a ladder, closer we get to the top sometimes becomes more unstable!!! Closing up here, all of our walks
with Christ is about faith, endurance, and a complete change of heart and mind body and soul!!! We should all strive to be like Cornelius give alms generously and expect nothing in return, continue to help the needy and the poor, tend to and comfort the dying and the sick...Cloth the naked and visit the ones in jail and prison's and always pray for our enemies and those who persecute us!!!
END WITH THE LORD'S PRAYER- LET'S DEPART IN PEACE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST!!!
JPCE SPIRITUAL TALK
NEVER HOLD BACK
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
JEHOVAH SHALOM!!!