Atos 10

Atos 10

Wesley wrote in his journal, “while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed, I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” The result was the great Wesleyan revival that not only swept many into the kingdom, but also helped transform British society through Christian social action. (Bible Exposition Commentary ) A GIFT TO GOD - Cornelius was generous in helping the poor. Here are eight common excuses for not helping the poor and needy: (1) They don't deserve help. They got themselves into poverty; let them get themselves out. (2) God's call to help the poor applies to another time. (3) I don't know any people like this. (4) I have my own needs. (5) Any money I give will be wasted, stolen, or spent. The poor will never see it. (6) I may become a victim myself. (7) I don't know where to start, and I don't have time. (8) My little bit won't make any difference. Instead of making excuses, ask what can be done to help. Does your church have programs to help the needy? Could you volunteer to work with a community group that fights poverty? As one individual, you may not be able to accomplish much, but join up with similarly motivated people, and watch mountains begin to move. (Life Application Commentary) Acts 10:5 "Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; KJV Acts 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: dispatch Acts 10:32; 9:38; 15:7; 16:9 who is also called Peter Mark 3:16; John 1:42 Acts 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TWO SIMONS DISTINGUISHED Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for - The angel like a military commander issues 2 quick orders to Cornelius. The verb dispatch (pempo) means "dispatch someone, whether human or transcendent being, usually for purposes of communication." Both dispatch and send for are in the aorist imperative, a command to do this with a sense of urgency. Do not delay! See map of Caesarea Maritima which is about 36 miles north of Joppa. Send for (3343)(metapempo from metá = after + pémpō = to send, dispatch) means to send after or for, to summon to oneself. Summon means to ask to come and so to invite to come. Five of the 8 NT uses refer to Cornelius sending for Peter (Acts 10:5; Acts 10:22; Acts 10:29; Acts 11:13) Only 2 uses in the Septuagint - Ge 27:45 ("Then I will send and get you from there"), Nu 23:7 (Balaam says "Balak, the king of Moab, brought me from Aram"). Felix "used to send for him (Paul) quite often." (Acts 24:26) Metapempo - 8x in 8v - brought(1), brought here(1), send(3), sent(4). Acts 10:5; Acts 10:22; Acts 10:29; Acts 11:13; Acts 20:1; Acts 24:24; Acts 24:26; Acts 25:3 A man named Simon, who is also called Peter - Note this small detail. The angel specifies that he is so send not for Simon the tanner, but for Simon Peter. What a difference there would have been if he had sent for the former! Our omniscient God knows how to send the right person, with the right message, at the right time! Jack Arnold - Notice how God gets the gospel to Cornelius. He did not do it through an angel. Why didn't God just have the angel tell Cornelius about Christ? Because God has commissioned men, not angels, to preach the good news of Christ to this world. God sent an angel to Cornelius but he tells him where he can find a man who can tell him about true salvation in Christ. God has ordained, beloved, that the gospel should be preached by men like you and me. What a humbling thought and what a high responsibility. (Acts 10:1-23a The Seeking Sinner and the Bigoted Believer) John