June 16, 2022
MOBILIZED FOR MISSION The apostle Peter told the Roman centurion named Cornelius that Jesus had ordered the apostles to “preach and testify that Jesus is the one.” He was appointed by God to be the “judge of all” and everyone who believes in Him will be forgiven their sins. Hearing this message, Cornelius and his
June 15, 2022
BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL Around noon, the apostle Peter went up onto the roof of the house he was visiting to pray. Morning, midday, and evening prayers were his habit. On this day, the Lord gave Peter a thrice-repeated vision that prepared him to meet with the men that would
June 16, 2018
ONE FLOCK WITH ONE SHEPHERD
When Peter preached to Cornelius, he and his whole Gentile household believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit. This amazed the Jewish believers because they had thought the Messiah to be exclusive to their people. Yet, if they had understood the preaching of Jesus, they would have known otherwise. For out of the Gentiles, Jesus would call sheep that belonged to Him too. As Jesus said, “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd” (John 10:16).
June 15, 2018
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MEN AND MEATS REMOVED
While praying on the rooftop of Simon the Tanner, Peter saw a vision of ceremonially “unclean” foods lowered down from heaven on a sheet. The Lord told him to “kill and eat.” Peter refused, saying it was against Jewish law. But the Lord told Peter not to call it unclean now that God had called it clean. This vision was to prepare Peter to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, for the Roman captain, Cornelius, had already sent men to bring him.
The distinction between Jew and Gentile, along with the ceremonial laws that separated the Jews from other peoples, was now removed. The gospel would remove the distinction, making all men and women equal before the cross of Christ. As the apostle Paul would write, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:28).
June 16, 2017
The Roman centurion, Cornelius, had sent for the apostle Peter and upon hearing that he was on the way, he “called together his relatives and close friends” to meet and hear him. Cornelius wanted everyone he cared about to hear the gospel. Have you invited your relatives and friends to hear the gospel? Have you “called” them to come with you to follow Jesus?
June 15, 2012
Peter knew the adventure of being led by the Spirit. He obeyed the Spirit’s voice and took the gospel to the Roman soldier, Cornelius. God still speaks to those who have ears to hear.
June 15, 2011
Peter’s strategy for reaching Romans- pray and obey. He prayed on the roof of Simon the Tanner in the port city of Joppa while Cornelius the Centurion sent three men to invite him to carry the gospel to his house.