Cornelius' Conversion

Today's post is based on the rest of Acts 10.

This story is significant because it marks the end of the church's transition to the ends of the world. God's grace was originally available only to His nation, Israel. It then spent the first ten chapters of Acts, a period of seven to ten years, transitioning to be a grace available to all the Earth. With the conversion of Cornelius and his "posse," non-Jewish Gentiles, we see that God's message has successfully been made known to cultures outside the Jewish faith and is ready to be taken "to all the ends of the Earth" (Acts 1:8). We see a couple of interesting things here:

1. Peter refuses to be recognized by anything more than a flawed human creation in need of salvation (v.26). While Cornelius probably only bowed because of Peter's heightened position in the church (as an Apostle, not just a disciple), Peter's response was to make the statement in v.27 that there is no person more "clean" than another in God's eyes. What a relief for those that are gathered there to hear that stance!
2. His clarification of Law in v.28 is simply to state how important this must have been. Surely they knew they asked him to defy his law.
3. God's spirit is the baptism of the Gentiles just as it was God's spirit at Pentecost that touched the Jews. There is an important lesson here. This baptism of the Spirit came first and as an outward sign of this, water-baptisms were performed. This ties in with the July 19th post about God's presence preceding all else. God's presence in our life and our willingness to accept Him is what He's after. But it is fully and completely impossible for us to accept the reality of what Christ has done for us in our hearts and in not show through our actions. When you accept that truth, God will fill you with a gratitude that will pour out into your actions. You will start to act differently because your heart will be changed by the awesome power of His Spirit. This is the baptism that is critical for salvation, not necessarily that of the water. 
4. God's salvation is extended to all "who fear Him and do what is right" (v.35). Author Warren Wiersbe says it this way: 

"The idea that 'one religion is as good as another' is comletely false. Those who tell us that we should worship 'the God of many names' and not 'change other people's religions; are going contrary to scripture. 'Salvation is of the Jews' (John 4:22), and there can be no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ, who was born a Jew. Cornelius had piety and morality, but he did not have salvation. Some might say 'Leave Cornelius alone! His religion is a part of his culture and it's a shame to change his culture!' God does not see it that way. Apart from hearing the message of the Gospel and trusting Christ, Cornelius had no hope."

 We've been called to live in wonderment of our God and Saviour, and as a result of that awe live differently so that in every way Christ's kingdom may advance. We are to let Him change us on the inside so that it can be shown through our outer actions.