Truth Magazine

By Donnie V. Rader

The story of the conversation of Cornelius and his household is found in Acts 10:1-48. Peter recounted the events when he went to Jerusalem, Peter related the story of this conversion there (Acts 15:7-9). Lets look at Cornelius, the miracles surrounding his con-version and the gospel message he heard.

Cornelius

1. A Gentile (Acts 15:7). Cornelius was the first Gentile convert. At the time of his conversion the church was made up largely of Jews. This family was the first of the Gentiles to become Christians. Today it has been reversed. Now the church primarily consists of Gentiles with only a few Jews obeying the gospel.

This conversion proved that the Gentiles can be saved just like the Jews (Acts 11:18; 15:7,9).

2. A military man (Acts 10:1). Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian Regiment. He was a man of power and authority. He had a lot of men under his command. Yet, with all of this power, he had the same needs as the lowest private or a civilian  he was in need of salvation from his sins.

3. A moral man (Acts 10:2,22). The text tells us that he was “devout” man which means he was a sincere and devoted individual. He was also good to others for he gave alms to people. He was a “just” or honorable, honest man. He had a good name and reputation. What better neighbor could be found? If you were to list his good traits and contrast them with his bad ones, the good would no doubt out-weigh the bad. However, in spite of his good moral character, he still needed to hear the gospel and be saved (Acts 11:14). I learn from this that sincerity and honesty within themselves are not enough.

4. A religious man (Acts 10:2). He was devout. He was devoted to his religious service and activities. He had an active religion. He feared God. He stood in awe of Gods majesty and greatness. He was afraid of doing that which displeased God. He prayed to God. This tells us that his faith in God was real.

Again, in spite of being religious, he still was not a child of God. Being religious and being devoted are not enough. One still needs to be obedient to God like Cornelius had to be.

Desired to know the word of God (Acts 10:33). Cornelius was open and receptive to the truth. He wanted to know what God has said  including what God would command to be done. When Peter had come, he said to Peter, “Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all things commanded you by God.”

Miracles Surrounding His Conversion

There were three miracles connected with this conversion. The reason for these is obvious from reading the text: this is the first conversion of a Gentile.

1. An angel appeared to Cornelius (Acts 10:3-8). The angel told Cornelius that his prayers had been heard (v. 4). The fact that God hears the aliens prayer all will agree. God may even respond somehow. It seems here that he did. However, that is not the same as the assurance that God answers our prayers (1 Pet. 3:12). Otherwise, passages like 1 Peter 3:12 would be meaningless.

Cornelius was instructed to send for Peter (vv. 5-6) for he would tell him what he “must do” (v. 6). This appearance had nothing directly to do with his salvation. If it did, why do we not read of such in other cases of conversion? The angel didnt save Cornelius. There is no evidence that he believes in Christ at this point.

2. Peters vision (Acts 10:9-18). While Peter was on the housetop waiting for a meal to be prepared, he fell into a trance and saw a object like a great sheet coming out of heaven with all kinds of animals and beasts in it. He heard a voice that told him to rise and eat. He refused saying that he would not eat that which was common or unclean. The voice rebuked him saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common” (v. 15). The point was that the Gen-tiles (who had been considered common and unclean) can now be accepted into the kingdom of God. This is the explanation that Peter later gave saying, “I shall not call any man common or unclean” (vv. 28-29).

3. Reception of the Holy Spirit (vv. 44-47). As Peter was speaking the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his family. What did they receive? They received Holy Spirit baptism. What fell on the Gentiles here was like that that the apostles received (vv. 45,47). What Peter saw on that day reminded him of Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 11:16). It was called the same gift (Acts 11:17). Peter said God gave them (Cornelius and his house) the Holy Spirit “just as he did to us” (Acts 15:8).

What did this prove? It proved to all present that the Gentiles are now gospel subjects (Acts 11:18). It did not prove that Holy Spirit baptism is for all believers in all ages. It did not prove that Cornelius was saved before baptism. If it did, it proved he was saved before faith.

The Sermon (Acts 10:34.48)
Peter made three fundamental points in his sermon.

1. There is no partiality with God (vv. 34-35). Peter preached that God is not a respecter of persons  he shows no partiality. Rather, he accepts everyone who (a) fears God and (b) works righteousness.

2. Salvation through Christ (vv. 36-43). Jesus Christ was: (a) anointed with the Holy Spirit and power (v. 38), (b) killed by crucifixion (v. 39), (c) raised from the dead the third day (vv. 40-41), (d) ordained to be the judge of the living and the dead (v. 42), (e) a fulfillment of the prophets (v. 43) and (f) the one through whom men can have the remission of sins (v. 43).

3. What man must do. Cornelius was told to hear words whereby he could be saved (Acts 10:6; 11:14), believe in Christ (Acts 14:43), repent of his sins (Acts 11:15) and be baptized (Acts 10:48).

Peter stated that Cornelius did what he was told to do to be a child of God (Acts 15:7-9). You can be saved the same way that he was.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 14-15
July 15, 1993

By Jady W. Copeland

A basic principle from the time God drove Adam and Eve from the garden has been that a man provide for his family (Gen. 3:19). By the “sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” and as divine revelation unfolds, we see that the head of the family was to provide for his own (1 Tim. 5:14).

When Jesus was on earth he taught another principle that needs our attention at this time, and that passage is found in John 6:27. “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life which the Son of man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal on him” (NKJ). Jesus had miraculously fed the 5000 and from this, along with the miracle of walking on the water, it is understandable that they sought him and many followed him. Then Jesus makes the above statement which gives us to this day a lot of “food” for thought. Is he saying they were not to work for a living? No, but he is contrasting the value of working for daily bread and working for “food which endures to everlasting life” and only Jesus can supply that “food” (in. 6:27,53-56).

Now with the above principle in mind, we see a direct application to our theme possessed by possessions. Eating of the bread of life (by imbibing the teachings of Christ) is more important than physical bread as one keeps us alive for perhaps 70-80 years, while the other gives us eternal life. This of course doesnt mean earning our bread here is unimportant; but it does mean it is of lesser importance than working for the bread that brings eternal life. It is a contrast. In this whole series, we have been showing that the eternal is more important than the temporal.

As young people grow into adulthood, they face the great challenge of choosing a vocation. Somehow they must fulfill the great responsibility of providing for their family. Shall it be self-employment, or shall I work for wages? For what am I best suited, mentally, physically and psychologically? But too many fail to consider the most important question in choosing a vocation  namely, what vocation will allow me to best serve Christ? Counselors in schools usually do not ask that question. But parents, as they train their children to make their way in this life, need to counsel them in this most important area. Sure, we need to guide them as to what they can do best and like best  whether physical labor, or otherwise. But they need to realize there may be many areas in which they can make a good living, but there is only one way to heaven and that is zealous and faithful service to God. And if the occupation prevents me from serving God in the best possible way, then I will have chosen a work that cheats me out of my best service in the kingdom.

After all what will it matter if I leave much to my children, or if I leave nothing? (The latter may be better for them.) What does it matter if I am a doctor or a teacher as long as I am serving God with all my heart and soul? It matters much if I have an occupation that will not allow me to have time to teach the lost, visit the sick, relieve the depressed, comfort the broken-hearted and encourage the wayward. Let us not be “possessed by our possessions” so that we will have no time for his work. Many a man has wasted his talents (as an elder, deacon, song leader and personal worker) because he “didnt have time”  his job would not allow it.

Some Guiding Principles

Is it morally right? Little time need be spent here. Surely all who read this will realize they couldnt choose gambling, selling liquor, prostitution or other occupations that are of themselves immoral. And some occupations demand dishonesty, and some have found that they had to leave certain vocations because of this.

Will it prevent me from worshipping God? Zeal, fellowship with God and other Christians and love demands that 1 worship on the Lords day to remember the death of Christ, etc. Will the vocation I choose prevent this? If so, pick another. Though there may be exceptions (as I heard of in one case) it would seem to me that being a professional athlete (at least in some sports) would prevent me from worshipping God on the first day of the week. Some occupations prevent the person from meeting every Sunday. I would question this very seriously. Strength in him and his cause depends to a large extent on the encouragement and help I get from worshipping with the saints (Heb. 10:24). Parents, guide your children toward vocations where they can grow to their greatest height in the kingdom and teach them that to do less is not good spiritually.

Will it allow me to reach my greatest potential in the kingdom? Will it allow me to do my best for Christ? Life here is temporary; we are but pilgrims; eternity is certain so why should not we choose the work that is best adapted to achieving the greatest good for him who died for us? If he gave his best for me, why should I give second best for him? Perhaps many potentially good preachers have chosen secular work. But I am thinking more of others who choose occupations which take them away from home much of the time. Many times congregations are robbed of good teachers because they are away so much. Had they chosen an occupation where they had weekends off, they could have been a much greater influence for good on their peers and the young generation if they had been home more  and been able to teach in the local church. Many churches have been rob-bed of potentially good elders because they arent home enough to serve. In congregations where Ive been we had good teachers, but couldnt use them because they were gone too much. This is not only true of men, but often it is true of ladies as well. (We will get to working mothers later.)

It is certainly important for one to choose a vocation to which he is best suited mentally, emotionally and physically. But it is even more important to choose work that will allow him to save souls, influence brethren for good and do many other things to build up the kingdom. If I had a youngster in his formative years, I would not encourage him to be a salesman who had to be gone from home too much. I would not encourage him to be a fireman who had to miss many services on a regular basis. I would not encourage him to be a politician where he is tempted in so many ways. I would not encourage him to be a professional musician that is a performer as this certainly does not lend itself to faithfulness in Christ. And while it is true that in most professions, one can manage to worship on Sunday, and do some work for the Lord, why not pick one where the best work possible can be done?

As in every phase of the life of a Christian, choosing a lifes work is a matter of priorities. Jesus set forth the greatest principle in Matthew 22:37 when he said that the greatest commandment was “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” If this guiding principle is firmly planted in the mind of a child from birth, he should have no problem in choosing a work that would allow him to do his best in serving God and his fellow man. God did not give us the privilege of setting the priorities in life. He only gave us the choice as to whether or not we want to serve him. When I deliberately choose an occupation that will not allow me to do my best in his kingdom, I have made a great (probably fatal) mistake. Of course many have already chosen their work before becoming Christians. In that case they have to do the best they can or change professions. But if you are a parent reading this and still have time to guide your children in the proper direction, please don fail them (and the Lord) by neglecting to teach them in this regard. Souls hang in the balance  perhaps their own and the ones they could teach, What a shame to waste so much great talent in the kingdom of God simply because someone was possessed by their possessions” and chose an occupation with “things” in mind instead of God. Think on these things; the Bible

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 10-11
July 15, 1993

By Wallace H. Little

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, nights or day. I also and my maidens will fast likewise. And so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

At Tala, in Metro Manila, Philippines, there is a leprosarium. This is where the pitiful lepers are herded to die. Their families often go with them. The government provides little, other than a place and material to build their nipa huts. Unless they are already too crippled when they arrive, they must do the construction. In time, other members of the family get this loathsome disease. Even the small children are hit with it by the time they are 25. There are few old people there. Most dont live long enough to grow old. Its people are shunned. What do you preach to them?

I have been there several times. I shake “hands” with some who have no hands, and “walk” with those who have no feet. I do not enjoy the experience. After leaving, I carefully cleanse myself with alcohol. Yet several Filipino preachers have gone, and still go there to teach. In the late 1960s, these established a church there. One moved there and lived among them for 10 years, strengthening the brethren, and slowly converting others. When he left, another brother began going there every other Lords day. He preaches, then eats lunch with them.

When an American asked him how he was able to do it, knowing that he could catch the disease himself, he replied: “If 1 do not eat with them, they will not study the Bible with me. I try to be careful, and clean myself with alcohol after I leave.” I asked him what would happen if he did catch the disease. He said: “These people need to hear the gospel. If I die, I die.”

How many of us have this kind of courage?

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 13
July 15, 1993

By Olen Holderby

While some departures from God happen more quickly than others; I have never seen what I would call a sudden departure. Most departures are gradual, a bit-by-bit process. Hebrews 2:1 appears to be a good text for this subject, and it fits perfectly with our title, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (NKJ). The Authorized Version says, “lest at any time we should let them slip”; making it appear that there might be some item of teaching which we let get away from us. Such is not the intent of the passage. The New American Standard says, “lest we drift away from it.” It can be seen, then, that it is our drifting that is under consideration, and not something that is drifting away from us. This demonstrates that how well we are anchored to God and his ways depends, largely, upon our learning of the truth and our holding on to that truth, in both teaching and practice.

The Possibility of Drifting

Our text has already established this possibility as a fact; but further reflections may help make this an indelible idea, and that it should be. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). In Luke 9:62, Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth taken heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). One may be “overtaken in a fault” (Gal. 6:1). While our drifting may be purely unintentional, and even denied, nonetheless it can happen to any of us. We know that this can happen to the “lowly” in our midst; but let us not forget that it can hap-pen even to the “mighty” of our number. When David received the news that both Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle, he said, “How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!” (2 Sam. 1:25). And again, “. . . for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together” (Jer. 46:12).

At the time when our text was written, those people were drifting back to Judaism. In our time the danger is in drifting back into worldliness or into denominationalism. To recognize the slightest bit of drifting in our lives should horrify us (Heb. 4:11). It can happen! Even to you!

Reasons For Drifting

The reasons for drifting may not be as numerous as the drifters; but there may be many reasons for drifting. First, it is the easiest course to pursue (Matt. 22:5). It is easier to overlook a little neglect than to press for improvement (Heb. 2:3). It is easier to accept a little immorality in our friends or Loved ones than to condemn their sin (1 Thess. 5:21; Rom. 12:2; Matt. 19:9). It is easier to keep our mouths shut than to stand up and defend the truth (Jude 3). It is easier to make excuses than to get up and do what God said do (Heb. 5:9).

Jesus pointed out that the cares of this world could affect the productivity of the Word in our lives (Matt. 13:22). This is exactly how some start their drifting away from God. The Hebrew writer warned of the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13); and this becomes a strong current with which we may drift. Or, we simply might become “weary in well doing” (2 Thess. 3:13); and, we are urged, “Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb. 12:3):

In addition to the above, there are other, and important, causes for some drifting away from God and his word. A lack of knowledge is a big factor (Hos. 4:6; Eph. 4:18). A failure to comply with 2 Timothy 2:15, 1Peter 3:15, or Ephesians 5:17 makes many people easy prey to all kinds of error and immorality; thus, their drifting away is assured.

Preachers not preaching the whole truth on some subjects is another factor in drifting away from God (2 Tim. 4:2; Mk. 16:15; Acts 20:27). Apostolic preaching was distinctive preaching on all subjects; both the positive and negative truths received appropriate attention. Compromising the truth is closely related to not preaching the whole truth; and this serves as a stimulus in drifting away from God: We may accept a little error, overlook a little error, ignore a little error, tolerate a little error, or mix a little error with the truth; and, when we do this, we have already taken one or more steps in drifting away from God. When this compromising is done with reference to morals (1 Cor. 5), the current of drifting appears to be even swifter. In proportion to our bringing every thought into captivity to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-5), the drifting may be reversed.

There are those people who simply do not wish to live as Christians; they want all the advantages of Christians, but they seemingly have no interest in the attached obligations. All such need to study carefully the statement of Jesus in Matthew 16:24.

The Ruin of Drifting Away From God

If Nadab and Abihu could speak, what would be their advice (Lev. 10:1)? Do you think that the man who picked up sticks on the Sabbath day (Num. 15), if given a chance, would take that step again? Then, there is Moses (Num. 20), who in his anger smote the rock, and deprived himself of the promised land; his one step was one step too many.

Ananias and Sapphiras brief stint at drifting was fatal to them (Acts 5). Demas loved this present world and forsook Paul (2 Tim. 4:10). The Jews, time and again, drifted away from God. After discussing some of their departures, the Hebrew writer says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb. 3:12). The ruination of departing from God is so obvious that it ought not to be necessary to prove it to any concerned person.

How To Prevent Drifting Away From God

Our text says that we ought to give the “more earnest heed” to the things which we have heard, to the truth. All three of these words are necessary for us to get the full impact of the expression. The noun “heed” (prosecho) means “to hold to.” The adjective “earnest” (spoudaios) suggests “to hasten.” However, these are used in our text with the adverb “more” and literally says “more abundantly” (W.E. Vine, 551, 351-2). Surely we can see in all this some intense action, some real urgency; and, if we read the next two verses, we will see it as consistent action. As a part of this thought, we have 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always a-bounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” While these are not all that we might offer; yet, brethren, these are the basic ingredients for preventing our drifting away from God and his word. Anything less than these will make us easy prey to all sorts of departures.

The Reward for Not Drifting Away From God

This, of course, has an obvious answer(s). A crown of life (Rev. 2:1W; a crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:6-8); an inheritance in heaven (1 Pet. 1:3-5)  all, or each, of these are expressive of the promised reward. And, we are told that if we overcome we can share the Lords throne with him (Rev. 3:21).

Conclusion

Brethren, let each of us examine himself closely (2 Cor. 13:5); and, let us do so in view of the possibility of our drifting away from God. Let us understand when this has happened, and let us immediately apply the remedy. Let us be thankful for those who call such to our attention. Let us remember that we have a hell to shun and a haven to gain; and, if we avoid the former and reach the latter, we must not drift away from God and his word.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 16-17
July 15, 1993