Cleave Unto the Lord Jesus - Part 542

"Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."

Cornelius had seen the grace of God. A centurion, Cornelius was already known as a just man and one that feared God. He was also a man of good report among all the nations. Still, even for all Cornelius reputation, he was told by an angel that he needed more. Good works were not enough. An exceptional reputation was not enough. Indeed, Cornelius needed Jesus in his heart. 

As we read in Acts 10, Cornelius had invited Peter to come. Cornelius' men stood at the gate asking whether Simon which was surnamed Peter was lodged there. Just prior to this, Peter had a vision whereby the Spirit of the Lord said, "Arise therefore, and get down and go with them, doubting nothing for I have sent thee." 

When Peter came, Cornelius met him and falling down at his feet began to worship him. But Peter took him up saying, "Stand up Cornelius for I myself also am a man." And when Peter talked with Cornelius, he went inside to find many that were come together. And he said unto them, "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation, but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore, came I unto you without gainsaying as soon as I was sent for." Peter then asked the people, "What intent ye have sent for me?"

But Peter seeing all that had assembled in the house before God -- all who had come to hear all things that the Saviour wanted them to hear said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that fears Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him. The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- the Lord of all."

Peter told them the good news of Jesus. How God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power and how Jesus healed all those that were oppressed of the devil. Here we are witnesses, said Peter, of all the things which Jesus did both in the land of Jews and in Jerusalem -- the same Jesus who they slew and hanged on a tree. It is this Jesus who God raised up the third day and showed Him openly to those who loved Him. The witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did not eat and drink with Him after He arose from the dead.

So what did He do? Jesus commanded His disciples to preach and to testify that all the whosoevers of this world -- if they believed in Jesus -- would receive remission of sins. (Acts 11:43) While Peter yet spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Yes, there was a mighty outpouring of the Spirit. Hearing these people speak with tongues and magnify their God and Saviour, Peter said, "Can any man  forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 10:43-48)

You see, even Cornelius whose heart was in the right place needed Jesus. He understood that with purpose of heart, we needed to cleave unto the Lord Jesus who loved us enough to shed His precious blood on the cross for us. Like Cornelius, ask Jesus into your heart today. Take the first step of faith into the arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.