Peter and Cornelius experience the work of God

Do you know the account of Paul and Cornelius?

Do you know the account of Peter and Cornelius?

Acts 10:1-8 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

Imagine an angel coming to you while you are praying!

Imagine an angel coming to you while you are praying. #Paulandcornelius #expectancy Click To Tweet

Cornelius took the angel at his word. He believed what he had been told and he acted on it. In faith he sent men to Joppa .

And then there is Peter's side of the story

And then there is Peter's side of the story

Acts 10:9-22 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.

Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”

The Lord spoke to Peter through a vision and then interpreted it through the Holy Spirit

Application

How does this account of Peter and Cornelius related to our lives today?

Here are some observations I have

 

    • Both Peter and Cornelius listened to what was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit, through Angels and visions. This causes my heart to expect God to work in the same way in my life
    • God is at work creating divine appointments to further His kingdom if we will listen to the Holy Spirit.
    • God desires to use each of us in very specific ways and has specific people He intends us to minister to. 
    • Expect God to show you who to minister to next! 

In Your everyday life do you expect God to show speak to you concerning whom He wants you to minister to?

 

Think about this: What if Peter didn't expect that the Lord was going to do something in Cornelius' life? Would he have made dinner plans elsewhere? Perhaps some place with kosher food. 

Naomi
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Peter and Cornelius: a look at Gods work in Acts 10