Pam Padgett ... teacher
While reading in Acts 10, I was struck by how perfectly God fit together events to bring about HIS purposes.
In a vision an angel of God told Cornelius, a centurion in Caesarea, to send for Peter in Joppa and that Peter would tell him that he
should do. Cornelius told two of his servants and a devout soldier what the angel had told him and sent them to Joppa to call for Peter ...
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called
Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout
man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to
the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently
about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and
saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid,
and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine
alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa,
and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:6 He lodgeth with one
Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what
thou oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was
departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier
of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all
these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
As those Cornelius sent neared Joppa, Peter was given a vision in which
he saw common and unclean animals and birds and heard a voice telling
him to kill and eat them. When he didn't want to do this, the voice
said to not call common what God has cleansed. As Peter was wondering what this vision meant, the men sent from Cornelius stood at the gate of the house where Peter was staying ...
Acts 10:9
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the
city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:10
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made
ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain
vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the
four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things,
and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter;
kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten
any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him
again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou
common. 16 This was done thrice:and the vessel was received up again
into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision
which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from
Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were
lodged there.
The Spirit spoke to Peter telling him about the three men, telling Peter to go with them and assuring him that they had been sent by God ...
Acts 10:19
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold,
three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with
them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Peter and some of the brethren in Joppa went to Cornelius in Caesarea.
While waiting for Peter to come, Cornelius was able to
gather together relatives and friends, giving them an opportunity to
hear the message from God Peter would speak ...
Acts 10:23
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went
away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. Acts 10:24
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited
for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
Peter spoke to those gathered together about Jesus ...
Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God
sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:(he is
Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published
throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which
John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost
and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were
oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of
all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem;
whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40 Him God raised up the third day,
and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses
chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after
he rose from the dead. 42 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. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through
his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
As Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all those that heard,
being witnessed by the Jews who had come with Peter from Joppa. Although it was not considered lawful for the Jews to keep company with
those who were not Jews, God confirmed His purpose to Peter by the
vision, what the Spirit spoke to him in Joppa, and seeing that the Holy
Ghost was given to the Gentiles in Caesarea. And those who had received the Holy Ghost were baptized ...
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost
fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision
which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that
on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For
they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to
tarry certain days.
It causes us to marvel in God to consider this example of God working all of these things together so perfectly to bring about His purpose ... from the angel appearing and instructing Cornelius to
send for Peter, to the vision Peter was given just as the men sent by
Cornelius were arriving to summon him in Joppa, to Cornelius having
opportunity to gather together relatives and friends who were to believe the gospel.
This also reminds us of times in our own lives when we have been led by the Holy Spirit and have seen that the way was prepared before us, that the will of God would be accomplished.
Romans 8:28 And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose.