Historical Posts
The Giving of Grace – audio
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Birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas are the most giving times of the year. Usually, there is one present intended for one person. However, there is one gift that God gave to the whole world: His Son (John 3:16). Jesus said that “…whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Note that anyone, regardless of classification, can partake of everlasting life.
Paul was instrumental in giving everyone that opportunity. Text: Ephesians 3:1-7. Everyone includes both Jew and Gentile alike. Paul identified himself as a prisoner of Christ to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1). Thus, he had something important to give them: grace.
The grace of God was given to Paul for the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:2). Earlier, the Lord told Paul that he would bear His name to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). As the Lord delivered Him, so He would the Gentiles. This was a mystery that has finally been revealed (Ephesians 3:3-5; Romans 11:25; 16:25)! The Gentiles, along with the Jews, can be saved (Ephesians 3:6)!
One cannot be saved without the grace of God, and it has come to all men, including Gentiles (Titus 2:11-13). Earlier, Paul explained to the Ephesians that salvation is through grace and faith (Ephesians 2:8). Thus, by being baptized into Christ Jew and Gentile can be saved (Galatians 3:26-29). Thus, Paul became a minister of the gospel through the grace of God to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:7; Romans 1:5).
Will you receive the grace of God? Obey the gospel and live faithfully (Revelation 2:10) to receive eternal life!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Acts 10:01-48 Cornelius, the First Gentile Christian
Text: Acts 10:1-48
Bible Class Discussion Notes
- Acts 10:1-2 – Little is known of Cornelius. Although he was a centurion of the Italian regiment, very devout, feared God, gave generously, and prayed to God always. When one fears God, he commits himself to loving Him and doing what He says (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Since Cornelius was a good man, God remembered his prayer and helped him learn what to do to be saved.
- Acts 10:3-8 – In a vision, an angel told Cornelius to send for Simon Peter in Joppa; he would tell him what he needed to do.
- Acts 10:9-16 – As Cornelius sends men to find Peter, Peter is on a roof praying. He falls into a trance and sees a vision of a sheet that descends from heaven full of unclean animals. Each time this happens, a voice says “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter would not do so, for he was a Jew and knew that he could not eat unclean animals according to the old law. Yet, a voice from heaven told him “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
- Acts 10:17-23 – The men arrive at Peter’s house, as Peter wonders what this vision means. Peter was told to go with them and do not doubt! Ironically, Peter had a past of doubting. Jesus told him “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) when Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Christians are told a few times in Scripture to do things without doubting (1 Timothy 2:8; James 1:5-6). Thus, Peter goes the following day to meet Cornelius.
- Acts 10:24-33 – Peter arrives in Caesarea to find Cornelius waiting with many friends and family to hear what God has to say through Peter. Peter confesses that he learns that God showed him not to call any man common or unclean; the gospel is for all (Romans 1:16), Jew and Gentile alike!
- Acts 10:34-43 – Peter preaches the gospel to Cornelius and his household. Thus they learn that remission of sins is gained through obedience to Christ.
- Acts 10:44-48 – Cornelius and his household receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Content by Richard Dillon
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