Good morning,

This week we will study John 1:1-51. The Apostle John gives us several descriptions of Jesus and His ministry. He tells us He is the Word, the Light, the Lamb, the Messiah, and Rabbi. He gives us John the Baptist’s eye witness account of Jesus. Then he concludes with an account of the beginning of Jesus ministry.

John’s witness (15-34)

¹⁵ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.¹⁶ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.¹⁸ No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.¹⁹ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?²⁰ And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. ²¹ And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.²² Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?²³ He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.²⁴ And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.²⁵ And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?²⁶ John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; ²⁷ He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.²⁸ These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.²⁹ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.³⁰ This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.³¹ And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.³⁴ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John the Baptist gives an eyewitness account of his ministry and the person of Jesus Christ. He heralded the coming of Jesus. He made it very clear that he was not the coming one, the Messiah of Israel. He pointed to Jesus.

When we minister for Christ, where does the honor go? Are we looking for the praise of men or giving all the glory to God? Remember, nothing we do is possible without the power of God.

Give all the glory to God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will study John 1:1-51. The Apostle John gives us several descriptions of Jesus and His ministry. He tells us He is the Word, the Light, the Lamb, the Messiah, and Rabbi. He gives us John the Baptist’s eye witness account of Jesus. Then he concludes with an account of the beginning of Jesus ministry.

The Word (1-5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.² The same was in the beginning with God.³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men.⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John the Baptist (6-8)

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.⁷ The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

The True Light (9-14)

⁹ That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not.¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The word of God is eternally true. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the Word. Every recorded word found in the Scriptures came from Jesus.

Jesus created all things. This refutes the theory of evolution.  Jesus created all things during the six days of creation found in Genesis 1.

Jesus is the Light of the world. He brought light to those who walked in darkness. This Light pointed the lost to the Savior. Some believed the message of Salvation but many rejected His offer of a new life.

God allowed His son, Jesus, to dwell among men. So they could hear the message of salvation straight from God. So that they could hear His preaching, see Him work miracles, and ultimately to see Him die for the payment for their sins. The righteous dying for the unrighteous.

This should challenge us to live for Jesus. In Jesus we are overcomers. God has given us His word, instructions, and protection. All we must do is execute God’s plan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Someday, very soon, we shall see our Savior Jesus Christ face to face.

We are longing for this and we will never grow tired of seeing Him.

Let this devotion be an encouragement to you.

They will never be weary of gazing on His lovely face!

(Archibald Alexander, “Love to an Unseen Savior!” 1772-1851)

“Whom having not seen, you love!” 1 Peter 1:8

If we here love the Savior whom we have never seen, and whom we can only approach by faith–then how strong will our love be when we shall see Him face to face, and find ourselves not only in His actual presence, but forever enclosed in His loving embrace!

Here our love to the Savior is feeble, on account of the dimness of our faith, and often interrupted by dark clouds and earthly affections which draw us away from the contemplation of the matchless character of our Redeemer. But in Heaven there will be no interposing obstacles to veil His glory, or counteracting affections to enfeeble or interrupt our perfect love for Him.

Happy, happy condition of those who love a Savior whom they never saw–when they shall see Him as He is, and be like Him. They will never be weary of gazing on His lovely face! They will never cease to give Him thanks and praise for His unparalleled, unspeakable love, to which they will forever acknowledge their indebtedness for salvation!

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.
 We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is!” 1 John 3:2
   ~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Church attendance, baptism, or membership does not save anyone. Yet our churches are filled with people that “suppose” they are a Christian. They are not.

Their lifestyles, associations, and speech make it clear they do not have a relationship with Christ.

Our devotion today deals with their attitude toward sin.

One is saved by repenting of their sins, by faith accepting Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and allowing God to have complete control of their life. (John 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9 John 1:12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

I belong to the church; I suppose I am a Christian

(J.C. Ryle, “Are You Born Again?“)

Are you born again? This is one of life’s most important questions. Jesus Christ said, “Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God!” John 3:3

It is not enough to reply, “I belong to the church; I suppose I am a Christian.” Thousands of nominal Christians show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us in the First Epistle of John.

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin” 1 John 3:9

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin” 1 John 5:18

A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian . . .
  hates sin,
  flees from sin,
  fights against sin,
  considers sin his greatest plague,
  resents the burden of sin’s presence,
  mourns when he falls under sin’s influence,
  and longs to be completely delivered from sin.

Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has become the horrible thing which he hates. However, he cannot eliminate its presence within him.

If he said that he had no sin, he would be lying, 1 John 1:8. But he can say that he hates sin, and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appearing in both his words and his actions. He knows that “we all stumble in many ways,” James 3:2. But he can truly say in the sight of God, that these things cause him grief and sorrow, and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

“No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.” 1 John 3:6-7
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

What do we give to God? Is it our very best? Or is it what we don’t want anymore?

Todays devotional will challenge our thinking.

The very first, the very best, the most sacred, is the Lord’s.

The object in putting these verses in the Bible

(J.R. Miller, “Devotional Hours with the Bible”)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

Malachi 1:
The LORD Almighty says to the priests: “You have despised My name!”
    But you ask, “How have we ever despised Your name?”
“You have despised My name by offering defiled sacrifices on My altar!”
    Then you ask, “How have we defiled the sacrifices?”
“When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong?
 When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?” says the LORD Almighty.

The Jewish law required that every sacrifice offered unto God must be without blemish. No lame, blind, or diseased animal would be accepted. It was an insult to God to bring to His altar anything that was maimed, blemished or worthless. Yet the people had been taking the best of everything for themselves, and then bringing the refuse–the blind and lame animals, as offerings to God!

Well, how is it with ourselves? The object in putting these verses in the Bible, was not to get us to condemn the people who lived twenty-three hundred years ago! It was to make us think whether WE are doing this base thing ourselves!

Do we give God the best of all we have–our best love, our best gifts, our best service?
Or do we take the best of all for ourselves, and then give God the blind and the lame?

How many people in the church, when the collection plate is being passed, pick out the smallest bit of money to put in the plate! We give our strength to our own work or leisure, and then have only our weariness to bring to God. We save our best things for ourselves, and then have only worthless things to offer our wondrous King! What kind of service are we giving to our glorious Lord?

The Lord’s answer to the arrogant defense of the priests is startling: “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not at all pleased with you, and I will not accept your offerings!”

What do WE bring to God . . .
  when we go through the forms of prayer,
  when we sing the sacred words of our hymn,
  when we give our offerings,
  when we sit down at the Lord’s table?
If there is only words, words, words in all our worship–no heart, no love, no real presenting of ourselves to God, no laying of our best on the altar–then God has no pleasure in us and will not accept our offerings at our hand!

“Now these things occurred as examples to keep US from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” 1 Corinthians 10:6

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Something to ponder
Thomas Watson, 1620-1686: “There is more evil in a drop of sin, than in a sea of affliction!”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The greatest book ever written is the Bible. It is the very word of God, telling us how to live life. It explains what God wants us to and what not to do.

So, as believers in Christ, what value do we give to the Bible?

Today’s devotion will help us to answer that question.

Do we love the Word?

(Thomas Watson, 1620-1686, “The Godly Man’s Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil“)

A godly man is a lover of the Word of God. Christ is the fountain of living water, the Word is the golden pipe through which it runs!

A godly man diligently reads the Word of God. The noble Bereans “searched the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24). The Word is the field where the Pearl of Great Price is hidden. How we should dig for this pearl! A godly man’s heart is the library to hold the Word of God; it dwells richly in him (Colossians 3:16). By diligent conversing with Scripture, we may carry a Bible in our heads!

A godly man frequently meditates on the Word of God. “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” (Psalm 119:97). A pious soul meditates on the truth and holiness of the Word. He not only has a few transient thoughts, but leaves his mind steeping in the Scripture. By meditation, he sucks honey from this sweet flower, and ruminates on holy truths in his mind.

A godly man delights in the Word of God. It is his recreation. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16). Never did a man take such delight in a dish that he loved, as the prophet did in the Word. And indeed, how can a saint choose but take great pleasure in the Word? All of his eternal hopes are contained in it. Does not a son take pleasure in reading his father’s will and testament, in which he bequeaths his estate to him? “I delight in your commands because I love them! (Psalm 119:47)

A godly man hides the Word of God. “Your word have I hidden in my heart” (Psalm 119:11)–as one hides a treasure so that it should not be stolen. The Word is the jewel; the heart is the cabinet where it must be locked up. Many hide the Word in their memory–but not in their heart. And why would David enclose the Word in his heart? “That I might be kept from sinning against You.” As a man would carry an antidote about him when he comes near an infected place, so a godly man carries the Word in his heart as a spiritual antidote to preserve him from the infection of sin. Why have so many been poisoned with error, others with moral vice–but because they have not hidden the Word as a holy antidote in their heart!

Do we love the Word?
When we need direction, do we consult this sacred oracle?
When we find corruptions strong, do we make use of this “sword of the Spirit” to hew them down?
When we are disconsolate, do we go to this bottle of the water of life for comfort?
Then we are lovers of the Word!

“I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold!” (Psalm 119:127)

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Something to ponder
“Think of Christ as the very substance, marrow, soul, and scope of the whole Scriptures!” Isaac Ambrose, 1604-1664

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will explore Acts 10.

We will see how the Holy Spirit gave visons to both a gentile and a Jew. Those visions changed how and to whom salvation was available.

The key players are Cornelius and Peter.  

Peter preaches Christ (34-43)

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.³⁶ The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)³⁷ That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸ 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.³⁹ 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:⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;⁴¹ Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.⁴² 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.⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Holy Ghost fell on all of them (44-46)

⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.⁴⁵ 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.⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will explore Acts 10.

We will see how the Holy Spirit gave visons to both a gentile and a Jew. Those visions changed how and to whom salvation was available.

The key players are Cornelius and Peter.  

Cornelius servants meet Peter (17-22)

¹⁷ Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, ¹⁸ And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. ¹⁹ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.²⁰ Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.²¹ Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?²² And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Peter goes to Cornelius’ house (23-27)

²³ Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

Cornelius explains why he summoned Peter (28-33)

²⁸ 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 shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?³⁰ 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,³¹ And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.³² 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 cometh, shall speak unto thee.³³ 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.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

ACTS 10

Gentiles receive Christ

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (Acts 10:34)

Cornelius’ vision (1-8)

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ² A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.³ He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.⁴ And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: ⁶ He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.⁷ And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; ⁸ And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s vision (9-16)

⁹ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:¹⁰ And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,¹¹ And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:¹² Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.¹³ And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.¹⁴ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.¹⁵ And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.¹⁶ This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Cornelius servants meet Peter (17-22)

¹⁷ Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, ¹⁸ And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. ¹⁹ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.²⁰ Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.²¹ Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?²² And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Peter goes to Cornelius’ house (23-27)

²³ Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

Cornelius explains why he summoned Peter (28-33)

²⁸ 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 shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?³⁰ 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,³¹ And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.³² 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 cometh, shall speak unto thee.³³ 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.

Peter preaches Christ (34-43)

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.³⁶ The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)³⁷ That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸ 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.³⁹ 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:⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;⁴¹ Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.⁴² 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.⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Holy Ghost fell on all of them (44-46)

⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.⁴⁵ 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.⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

What does Acts chapter 10 mean?

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told the disciples they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). They spent several years establishing the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2—7), but increased persecution from the Sanhedrin, specifically at the hands of Saul, led several Jesus-followers to flee the city. Philip traveled north to Samaria. When the church leaders in Jerusalem heard he had baptized several Samaritans, they sent Peter and John to validate that Samaritans could be saved (Acts 8). Meanwhile, Saul traveled to Damascus to arrest Jesus-followers, but found salvation in Jesus, instead (Acts 9:1–31).

The fleeing Jesus-followers took the news about Jesus to Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria; God is now ready for the church to spread the gospel to Gentiles. Peter is in Joppa where he raised Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36–43). About thirty-five miles north, in Caesarea Maritima, a God-following Roman centurion is praying. An angel appears and tells him God honors his worship and charity. He is to send men to Joppa and call Peter to visit him. Cornelius sends two servants and a soldier to Joppa, having told them of all that happened (Acts 10:1–8).

While praying in Joppa, and also while hungry and waiting on food to be prepared, Peter sees a vision of a sheet with many different types of animals—including birds of prey and reptiles that the Mosaic law prohibits consuming (Acts 11:6). A voice tells him to kill and eat; he refuses. The voice asserts, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). This happens three times before the sheet is taken into heaven (Acts 10:9–16).

Peter is contemplating what the vision might mean when the men from Caesarea arrive at the house where he is staying. The Holy Spirit tells Peter the men are looking for him and affirms that he should follow them, which he does the next day. The men tell Peter about Cornelius, stating that he is a centurion and “an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation.” They explain that an angel told Cornelius to send for Peter to hear what he has to say. The men stay that night with Peter and then travel back to Caesarea with Peter and some other Jesus-followers (Acts 10:17–23).

Meanwhile, Cornelius gathers relatives and close friends. When Peter arrives, Cornelius falls at his feet and worships, but Peter tells him to stand up, saying that he, too, is only a man. Peter speaks with the gathered group, first mentioning how it is unlawful for Jews to associate with Gentiles, and then clarifying that God showed him “that I should not call any person common or unclean” and thus Peter came without objection (Acts 10:28). Cornelius shares about his experience in praying and what the angel had told him. He then invites Peter to share what God has commanded him to. Peter again affirms that God shows no partiality and that nationality does not dictate whether God is pleased with a person. He then shares the gospel, saying the people know of the events of Jesus’ ministry and that He was anointed with power. Peter talks of Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. He speaks of being chosen as a witness and commanded to testify that Jesus is appointed by God as judge of all people. Peter affirms that “all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43) (Acts 10:24–43).

While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit indwells his Gentile audience. The Jesus-following Jews who had come with Peter are amazed at this. Similar to what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles in this instance was evidenced, in part, by them speaking in tongues. Peter calls for the new believers to be baptized in water. They had received the Holy Spirit just as the believing Jews had, so who could deny them taking on the same identification of being a Jesus-follower? The group then asks Peter to remain with them for some days, which he evidently does (Acts 10:44–48).

This passage settles several theological issues for the young church. For the Jewish Jesus-followers, it reveals that God wants to save the Gentiles as well as the Jews. This will open the way for Paul’s world-changing ministry which takes up most of the rest of the book of Acts. It also shows that although baptism and the laying on of hands is often associated with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 8:17; 19:5–6), it is not necessary. Cornelius’ friends and family receive the Holy Spirit before Peter finishes his gospel presentation.

After Peter’s stay in Caesarea, he returns to Jerusalem to witness to the fact that Gentiles can be saved (Acts 11:1–18). That’s a good thing because some of the Jesus-followers who fled Jerusalem are teaching Gentiles far north in Antioch about Jesus (Acts 11:19–26). The testimony of Peter, the foremost of Jesus’ apostles, opens the way for the ministry of Paul.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will explore Acts 10.

We will see how the Holy Spirit gave visons to both a gentile and a Jew. Those visions changed how and to whom salvation was available.

The key players are Cornelius and Peter.

Cornelius’ vision (1-8)

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ² A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.³ He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.⁴ And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: ⁶ He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.⁷ And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; ⁸ And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s vision (9-16)

⁹ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:¹⁰ And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,¹¹ And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:¹² Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.¹³ And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.¹⁴ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.¹⁵ And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.¹⁶ This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Peter was an observant Jew. He kept the Law and obeyed the dietary laws.

So when God commanded him to eat common or unclean food, he said no. It took him three times to get God’s message.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com