Stand Up For I Myself Also Am A Man - Part 1029

There are considerable insights in Acts 10 that dispute some of the teachings found within the religious culture of this day. I would like to highlight a few for your reference. Before I do, note that the book of Acts demonstrates how the apostles put into action Jesus' teachings.

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen -- to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:1-2)

Interestingly, the tenth chapter of Acts -- which focuses on Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian, a just man of good report among all the nations of the Jews, and, similarly, a devout man (meaning that he feared God with all his house -- which gave alms to the people and prayed to God alway) presents as an ensample the transition of several men -- and particularly, Cornelius and Simon whose surname is Peter -- as a consequence of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:5)

The former centurion -- while fasting and praying sees in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day. An angel of God comes into him saying, "Cornelius ... thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." (Acts 10:3-4) And with Peter, he fell into a trance whereby he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel descending unto him (as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth). Therein, Peter was told to "Rise, Peter, kill and eat" all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. (Acts 10:11-16) Note that Peter had to be told thrice (or three times) before the vessel was received up again into heaven. But I digress.

While Peter doubted in himself what this vision should mean, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house and stood before the gate. (Acts 10:17) While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them." (Acts 10:20)

As Cornelius waited for two of his household servants and a devout soldier to return, he called together his kinsmen and near friends -- his relatives and close friends. (Acts 10:24) Indeed, many were come together. (Acts 10:27) When he saw Peter coming, Cornelius met him and felled down at his feet and worshiped [him]. What did Peter say?

"Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26)

Read that again. "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26) If Peter had been the first pope, as the Roman Catholic religion of today professes, should he not want to be worshiped or adored by other men -- in the same manner as Cornelius was willing to do? But instead, Peter said, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." (Acts 10:26)

Reading on, we learn that at the time, it was "an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation." (Acts 10:28) Technically, this means that there should have been no association between Peter and Cornelius, by virtue of their respective religious heritage. Still, Peter came to Cornelius "without gainsaying" as soon as he was sent for. (Acts 10:29)

But so did Cornelius immediately send to Joppa for Simon, after seeing the vision in which a man stood before him, saying, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." (Acts 10:30-31) In so doing, "all were present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." (Acts 10:33)

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him. The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He IS Lord of all." (Acts 10:34-36)

The same Word that was in the beginning with God and was God, that came and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18) His name Emmanuel, being interpreted meaning "God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14) Not another person, as religions today would have us believe but Almighty God Himself in the flesh, declaring His peace to all mankind. He is Lord of all.

"The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)

And should there be any questions, Peter further clarifies the gospel when he states:

"That Word, [I say] ye know, which was published throughout all Judae-a and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached -- how God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him -- and we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree. 

Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God [even] to us who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. To Him gave all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:37-43)

We see the same message preached by Peter, standing with the eleven apostles in Acts 2:37-42. So what happens next?

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God." (Acts 10:44-46)

Note that the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Ghost included speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Again, sadly, many religious denominations today proclaim that the pouring out of the gift of the Holy Ghost, evidenced through speaking in tongues ended with the early church. Does that mean that signs and wonders, and healing and miracles ended too? Again, I digress.

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)

"And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:48; Acts 2:38-42; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5; I Corinthians 1:14-17) Again, not 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost' as today's religious culture practices when baptizing their congregations BUT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

What is His name? That is, what is the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost? His name is Jesus. "The Word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ -- He IS Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)

As in the day of Cornelius and Peter, we are to remain steadfast in the apostle's doctrine, believing what is written. (Acts 2:42) The question is why we do not, preferring instead to believe the practices and traditions of a man-made religious culture that does not align with His Word. That is a question that only you can answer. As for me and my house, we will gladly serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) And stand firmly in the offering plate with our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ who willingly shed His precious holy blood on a cross so that we could receive His wonderful gift of salvation.