Even So Grace Might Reign Through Righteousness Unto Eternal Life by Jesus our Lord; Jesus Is Lord Of All - Part 1341

Imagine stating that Jesus is Lord of all, or that this Jesus whom ye crucified is both Lord and Christ, in a religious culture that stones people to death or imprisons them for preaching in the name of Jesus. And yet, we see Peter with Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band (who was a devout man and feared God with all his house) saying to him these exact words -- "Jesus is Lord of all!"

JESUS IS LORD OF ALL!

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet to worship him. But Peter took him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man." And, as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together, and he said unto them:

"Ye know how that is 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; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent me?"

And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and, at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. And said, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side, who, when he comes, shall speak unto thee." (Acts 10:24-32)

"Immediately, therefore, I sent to thee, and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore, are we all here 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 fears him, and works 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), that Word, [I say] ye know which was published throughout all Judaea and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed 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 give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:34-43)

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word.

All of them which heard the Word, and believed that through His name they shall receive remission of sins.

But they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, ass 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.

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water. that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:47-48)

We can see here that Peter has not changed his stance from the day of Pentecost, when he instructed the first 3,000 souls saved to repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47)

Apostle Paul had a similar love for the people of Israel in Romans 10. Therein, Paul writes, "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge, for they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God ... for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.

For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law -- "that the man which does those things shall live by them." (Romans 10:5; Leviticus 18:5)

BUT the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, "Say not in thine heart -- who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above). Or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead). But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith which we preach .... that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:6-9)

Did you catch the "but" between Moses and Jesus?  Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law (old covenant), but Jesus speaks about the righteousness which is of faith (new testament). The righteousness that He Himself delivered when He -- the Word -- God manifest in the flesh -- shed His precious blood on the cross for you and I.

"But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by the blood, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement ... therefore, as by the offence of one [judgement came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life." (Romans 5:8-18)

"Thus, with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, for the scripture saith: "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:10-13)

What is the name of the Lord? JESUS.

How do we know? Because Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost declared this same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, BOTH Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

And she shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

So, the next time someone stuck in the religious culture wants to tell you about the trinity, tell them about the conversation between Peter and Cornelius. Tell them what the Word says, and how much our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ loves us to willingly hang on that cross for you and I.

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21)

Stand in the offering plate.