_There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion._ PETER’S VISION The record of the advance of the young Church gives in quick succession three typical conversions: first, that of the eunuch, a foreigner, but a proselyte to the Jewish faith; secondly, that of Saul, born and bred... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God._ PRAYERS AND ALMS I. The conjunction of alms deeds with prayer. Cornelius joined them, and he is therefore commended for “a devout man and one that feared God,” and God graciously accepted them. Therefore our Saviour (Matthew 6:1) j... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the morrow … Peter went up upon the housetop to pray._ RETIREMENT NECESSARY FOR PRAYER Have you noticed that if all day long there is not a knock at the door, there will be one if you retire to pray? It is wise to do as the Saviour says, “Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut to the do... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea._ And Cornelius waited for them. MODEL PASTORAL VISITATION I. The preparation for it. 1. With the household, an earnest desire for salvation. 2. With the minister, a holy impulse honest exhibition of the state of their heart. II. On the part of... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man that is a Jew._ THE JEW I can conceive of no object more profoundly interesting than this--“a man that is a Jew!” All that is venerable in antiquity, sacred in religion, rich in story, sublime in poetry, cleaves to this extraordinary race. But for such a man infidelity would have lost one o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore came I unto yon without gainsaying._ PASTOR AND PEOPLE I. Concerning the true minister, I affirm that-- 1. He is a special creation of Divine grace. The mantle of the prophet is not personal property; God is its owner, and He Himself must determine who shall be invested with it. (1) Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting._ PETER AT CAESAREA We welcome his revelation that the grace of God has so boundless a reach; that in His government men are accountable not for knowledge which they have not, but for what they have. It suggests certain practical lessons like the fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons._ GOD THE REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM I. To show by what marks we shall know whether we ourselves, and others, are sincere in the fear of God. 1. The first mark of sincerity in the concer... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ._ ST. PETER AT CAESAREA TO A GENTILE COMPANY 1. Christ gave to Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven”--not keys of heaven, not keys of the Church, militant or triumphant, but keys of the kingdom of heaven on e... [ Continue Reading ]
_How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth._ THE MINISTRY OF JESUS I. Its nature and characteristics. It was-- 1. Active--“went.” He did not sit passively and receive applicants: like many nowadays, who are either indolent, or think it sufficient to satisfy a claim when made, or else are afraid of encou... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we are witnesses of all things which He did._ THE APOSTOLIC TESTIMONY I. Its substance. 1. Christ’s miracles. “All things which He did.” These miracles were-- (1) Declarative of His Divine power, and thus credentials of His Messiahship. (2) Symbols of His saving influence. As there was a m... [ Continue Reading ]
_While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word._ PETER’S PREACHING I. The effects of Peter’s preaching. It-- 1. Converted Gentiles. Peter preached the gospel (Acts 10:34). And the gospel thus proclaimed is never in vain. Man’s oratory may please the ear:... [ Continue Reading ]