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| 1 And there was a certain man in Cesarea, by name Cornelius, a centurion from a band called Italian, |
Cesarea – Became a Church of considerable size. R2222:3
Called Cornelius – The first Gentile convert. R5048:6, 3755:4, 3440:4, 2620:6, 2222:3, 1451:2, 5454:2, 1526:1
About October 1st, 36 AD, at the end of Israel's seventy weeks of favor. B71, B214; R5048:3, 4344:2, 3440:4, 2620:6, 2132:3
Not a Jew, no part of the covenant of Israel. R3440:4, 4344:3, 2989:1, 2620:2
Who sought harmony with God. R5200:6
Was accepted into fellowship without becoming a Jewish proselyte. R1451:2, 5454:2
Converted to God and to righteousness years prior to this incident. R2988:6
A centurion – Probably the one whose servant Christ healed. (Luke 7:2-10) R1922:6, 2620:6, 2132:3
The mention of three centurions in the Scriptures may be three different ones. R3755:4
All evidently reverential. (Matt. 27:54; Luke 7:1-17) It is not prre two cent R1922:6
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| 2 pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always, |
A devout man – A just, reverential, benevolent man, every way prepared to be a Christian. R4344:3, 5834:5, 5776:1, 5101:1; CR318:6
It was said of probably the same centurion, in Luke 7:4,5: "He was worthy; for he l R2620:2, 1922:3, 2071:3, Q600:T
A fine character; but a Gentile and could not come in under the call. R5776:1; CR318:6; HG117:4
That feared God – With all the good he did before, such a man, upon receiving the Gospel, would become ten-fold more zealous. R2222:3
Gave much alms – His endeavor to overcome selfishness and to copy divine benevolence. R2133:1
Prayed to God alway – Implied faith in God and a desire for harmony with him. Later his prayers would be heard. R2133:1, 5321:2, 5200:6. 2989:1
Because he was a Gentile, God did not accept him until the due time for him to receive the truth. R5321:2, 5833:1, 5021:5, 5048:6; Q600:T
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| 3 he saw in a vision manifestly, as it were the ninth hour of the day, a messenger of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, 'Cornelius;' |
A vision evidently – In a vision openly, not in a dream. He talked with an angel. R4344:5, 4142:4*
Coming in to him – It was just like the Lord to send the Gospel to him first. R1923:1
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| 4 and he having looked earnestly on him, and becoming afraid, said, 'What is it, Lord ' And he said to him, 'Thy prayers and thy kind acts came up for a memorial before God, |
Thy prayers – Could not be accepted until the seventy symbolic weeks ended. R5832:6, 4344:2; Q174:1
Thine alms – Now received of the Lord because the due time had come. R4344:5
His alms and prayers had not saved him. We may be sure that the alms of other Gentiles had been heard. His was for a special lesson. R4344:5
For a memorial – Of his piety. R2989:1
Ascended up as incense to the Lord. R4344:5, 5832:6; Q600:T
They had been noted before, but God could not receive them until now. R5776:1, 5833:1, 5200:6; CR319:1
If prayers cannot be answered immediately they are not forgotten, but are kept as memorials until the right time comes for their answer. R1945:5
Any who pray to God sincerely now, not knowing the appointed way, God takes note of their prayers, to be rewarded now or later. R5834:6
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| 5 and now send men to Joppa, and send for a certain one Simon, who is surnamed Peter, |
And now – Exactly 3 years after our Lord's crucifixion. R4344:2, 5834:6, 5379:1, 5200:6; Q600:T
Call for one Simon – Peter had the key to open the door to the Gentiles. R2657:6, 376:1
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| 6 this one doth lodge with a certain Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea; this one shall speak to thee what it behoveth thee to do.' |
Whose house – Pastor Russell visited in 1892. R1381:1
He shall tell thee – These words were necessary directions; but they did not bring Cornelius into covenant relationship with God. R5776:1, 4344:6
God has placed the promulgation of the Gospel in the hands of men, not angels. R2989:1
Essential to further progress. R2989:2
Now, by reason of the art of printing the message reaches many otherwise--by printed words. R4345:1
These words of life were the simple story of the cross. R4345:1
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| 7 And when the messenger who is speaking to Cornelius went away, having called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier of those waiting on him continually, |
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| 8 and having declared to them all things, he sent them to Joppa. |
Declared all these things – Prepared to cooperate with God. His light pervaded his household as should ours. R2989:2
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| 9 And on the morrow, as these are proceeding on the way, and are drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour, |
Sixth hour – Noon-time. R4344:6
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| 10 and he became very hungry, and wished to eat; and they making ready, there fell upon him a trance, |
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| 11 and he doth behold the heaven opened, and descending unto him a certain vessel, as a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and let down upon the earth, |
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| 12 in which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven, |
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| 13 and there came a voice unto him: 'Having risen, Peter, slay and eat.' |
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| 14 And Peter said, 'Not so, Lord; because at no time did I eat anything common or unclean;' |
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| 15 and [there is] a voice again a second time unto him: 'What God did cleanse, thou, declare not thou common;' |
God hath cleansed – Replacing the blood of bulls and goats, the antitypical cleansing through the blood of Christ had been confined for a time to Israel only. R4345:4
Now the time had come for dealing with such Gentiles as were in proper condition of heart. R4344:3
Common – While God calls "the mean things," he does not leave them thus, but justifies them by faith in Christ, and sanctifies them by the truth. R4493:3
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| 16 and this was done thrice, and again was the vessel received up to the heaven. |
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| 17 And as Peter was perplexed in himself what the vision that he saw might be, then, lo, the men who have been sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for the house of Simon, stood at the gate, |
Now while – About, during. R1980:3; B49
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| 18 and having called, they were asking if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, doth lodge here |
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| 19 And Peter thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Lo, three men do seek thee; |
The Spirit said – God, by his power, in some manner made his will known to Peter. E274; R372:5
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| 20 but having risen, go down and go on with them, nothing doubting, because I have sent them;' |
I have sent them – It was God's due time for dealing with such Gentiles as were in proper condition of heart. R4344:3
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| 21 and Peter having come down unto the men who have been sent from Cornelius unto him, said, 'Lo, I am he whom ye seek, what [is] the cause for which ye are present ' |
Peter – Chosen for this work because of his impetuous disposition and zeal to follow the Lord's directions quickly and heartily; and being the oldest of the apostles, and in many respects the most influential one. R2989:3
A just, reverential and benevolent man, in every way prepared to be a follower of Jesus. R4344:3, 5101:1
The first Gentile received into the Gospel privileges. R5004:6, 2620:6, 1455:1
God honors and uses his faithful ones as his mouthpieces. R4345:1
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| 22 And they said, 'Cornelius, a centurion, a man righteous and fearing God, well testified to, also, by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely warned by a holy messenger to send for thee, to his house, and to hear sayings from thee.' |
Hear words of thee – God attaches great importance to the words or message of his grace. R4344:6, 2989:2, 3550:6
No one can receive the holy Spirit except he has received the truth. R5550:1
The only way to know the glad tidings. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17) R4345:1
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| 23 Having called them in, therefore, he lodged them, and on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him, |
Certain brethren – Six men, probably as witnesses. R4344:6
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| 24 and on the morrow they did enter into Cesarea; and Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kindred and near friends, |
Called together – To hear the apostle Peter. The spirit of devotion, light and truth should pervade every family. R5394:1, 2989:3
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| 25 and as it came that Peter entered in, Cornelius having met him, having fallen at [his] feet, did bow before [him]; |
Fell down – Feelings of reverence to a representative of the Lord. R2989:4
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| 26 and Peter raised him, saying, 'Stand up; I also myself am a man;' |
But Peter – Not acting as a Pope would have done under such circumstances, he refused to receive unauthorized homage. R2989:5
Even heavenly beings are not to be worshipped. "Worship God." (Rev. 19:10) R144:5
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| 27 and talking with him he went in, and doth find many having come together. |
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| 28 And he said unto them, 'Ye know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another race, but to me God did shew to call no man common or unclean; |
God hath shewed me – Yet he afterward so far forgot it that Paul was obliged to publicly rebuke him. (Gal. 2:11-14) A26, A27
The "Lazarus" class received into favor. R1087:1
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| 29 therefore also without gainsaying I came, having been sent for; I ask, therefore, for what matter ye did send for me ' |
Without gainsaying – Because evidently the Lord was leading him in the matter. R2989:3
Intent – Greek, logos; intention, plan, purpose, expression. R338:1, 421:2
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| 30 And Cornelius said, 'Four days ago till this hour, I was fasting, and [at] the ninth hour praying in my house, and, lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing, |
Cornelius – The first adopted son of God from amongst the Gentiles. R2132:2, 5379:2
Was fasting – The centurion's heart had been troubled. R4345:1
The heart thus would be brought nearer to God. NS153:2, 4
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| 31 and he said, Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thy kind acts were remembered before God; |
Cornelius – The first Gentile convert. R2090:4, 1760:5, 1526:1, 376:1, 189:5
Also see comments on verse 1.
Thy prayer is heard – The first Gentile whose prayers were received. R5379:1, 5776:1
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| 32 send, therefore, to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; this one doth lodge in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who having come, shall speak to thee; |
Speak unto thee – The knowledge was indispensable; there can be no justification in ignorance. R5776:1
Speak to those that have some knowledge of God. R1451:5
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| 33 at once, therefore, I sent to thee; thou also didst do well, having come; now, therefore, are we all before God present to hear all things that have been commanded thee by God.' |
Present before God – Proper respect for the servant of God. R2133:2
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| 34 And Peter having opened his mouth, said, 'Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, |
Opened his mouth – Used the second "key" to the Kingdom, the time having come for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles. R4345:4, 2996:3, 1455:1, 1760:5; NS803:5
No respecter of persons – The message was open for all. R2990:3
But is a respecter of character. R2988:3
Yet God's favor was given first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. R5168:3, 4345:4, 2133:2
We must recognize the consecrated Church of Christ as does the Head of the Church, irrespective of denomination. OV187:3,4
God is equally as willing to forgive the repentant sins of the world as the sins of the Church. R5531:1; SM207
Does this not suggest that all shall come to a knowledge of the truth. HG336:2
Every man shall stand equal before the law of God. HG514:3
No denomination can be conceded the right to appropriate the name which our Lord gave to all truly his disciples. CR79:5
"Of one blood God created all the families of the earth." NS63:6
Expresses a general truth. R1180:3
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| 35 but in every nation he who is fearing Him, and is working righteousness, is acceptable to Him; |
In every nation – Now, henceforth, the righteous, God-fearing in every nation were to be acceptable. R4345:4, 2458:1
Peter now realized the meaning of his house-top vision (verse 15), and that the Lord "hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition." (Eph. 2:14) R4345:4, 5504:1, 1472:1, 586:6, 503:1
The "Lazarus" class died, or ceased from their former condition, and were received into favor of God. R1087:1
Feareth him – Perfect love casts out slavish but not reverential fear. (1 John 4:18) R2986:6, 2289:6
Is – Now. R2133:2
Accepted with him – Through the merit of the sacrifice given. R2133:2, 2989:6
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| 36 the word that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news peace through Jesus Christ (this one is Lord of all,) |
The word – Is kindly disposed toward us. R3059:1
Preaching peace – No suggestion of eternal torment, but full of mercy and grace. R4308:4
The old, old story. R2989:6
He is Lord of all – Having purchased all mankind. R1068:2
By reason of the great work of Atonement. (Rom. 14:9) E134
Not the pre-human Logos, nor yet the man Jesus, but the resurrected Messiah. "The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords." (Rev. 19:16) E136
Partaker of the divine nature, "that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father." (John 5:23) R1278:5
"The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement unto the Son." (John 5:22) R587:1, 710:4
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| 37 ye ye have known; the word that came throughout all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism that John preached; |
That word – The good news. R240:5
In harmony with what the Prophets had witnessed. R1451:6
Ye know – Probably having heard Christ himself preach it at the time the servant was healed. R1922:5
After the baptism – Jesus was not the Messiah, the Anointed, the Christ, until after his baptism, at thirty years of age. B66; A224
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| 38 Jesus who [is] from Nazareth how God did anoint him with the Holy Spirit and power; who went through, doing good, and healing all those oppressed by the devil, because God was with him; |
How God anointed – At thirty years of age. R289:4
The word "Christ" means "anointed." A81; R270:2, 240:5
The evidence that Our Lord was set apart for a very high office. R5227:6
"The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings." (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18) R240:5
The Jewish age harvest started at the beginning of Jesus' ministry when he was anointed. It is proper to say that the Gospel age began with the anointing of Jesus. A223, A224; R271:6, 273:1
Thirty years from the babe Jesus until he stood in Jordan's and was anointed. R289:4
Jesus of Nazareth – The Royal Priesthood began with him; although justified believers had lived long before that time, just as the tribe of Levi existed long before the Jewish priesthood was formed. T27
With the Holy Spirit – Thus beginning the Gospel age or spirit dispensation. A224; R273:1
And with power – "God gave not the Spirit by measure unto him." (John 3:34). T37; R370:1
Doing good – Teaching, healing the sick, the deaf, the blind, and instructing his disciples. R5375:6
Abundant in good works. And to preach the gospel. R2157:3*, 84:5*
Some get the erroneous view that our Lord's chief work amongst men was to heal their sicknesses. This was incidental to his preaching. R4137:2
Our Lord's wrought thirty-six miracles during his ministry. R4137:2
The Christ is not commissioned merely to negative goodness but to positive. R2157:3*
Healing – Greek, iaomai, as in "Pray one for another, that ye may be (morally or spiritually) healed" (Jas. 5:16), and as in "Lest they shoeal them." (John 12:40) R4099:5*
Oppressed of the devil – Through sickness, etc.; traceable, either directly or indirectly, to sin and the author of sin, Satan. R2133:3, 423:6
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| 39 and we we are witnesses of all things that he did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, whom they did slay, having hanged upon a tree. |
And we – The apostles chosen for the purpose. E213; F211; R1522:5
Are witnesses – To behold his works, to hear his message; and to be the specific witnesses of his resurrection. F211, F214, F215; E213
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| 40 'This one God did raise up the third day, and gave him to become manifest, |
Him God raised up – Christ could never have raised himself. R2795:2
He was raised up from death a glorious divine being. R4964:5, 2133:4
As "Lord of all." (verse 36) E136
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| 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses, to those having been chosen before by God to us who did eat with [him], and did drink with him, after his rising out of the dead; |
Not to all the people – The people in general did not see the Lord Jesus after his resurrection. R2133:4, 773:2; B124
Even to us – The apostles. E213
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| 42 and he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify fully that it is he who hath been ordained by God judge of living and dead |
He commanded us – The apostles. F215; R2990:1
To testify that – Of the resurrected Jesus. B124; R2989:6, 2133:4
God to be the Judge – "God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained." ( Acts 17:31) R2990:3
Of quick – The angels who kept not their first estate. (Jude 6) R2133:4
The living. B124
And dead – In the sense that all are under the sentence of death. "Dead in trespasses and sins." (Eph. 2:1) R2133:4
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| 43 to this one do all the prophets testify, that through his name every one that is believing in him doth receive remission of sins.' |
Through his name – "There is none other name under heaven." ( Acts 4:12) R2997:4
Believeth in him – Faith in Jesus' blood, and in no others. R4476:1, 2997:4
Remission of sins – There is no other means of approach to God. R2997:4; E461
Abraham did need a Redeemer, and so do we. PT267
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| 44 While Peter is yet speaking these sayings, the Holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word, |
Spake these words – He proceeded to tell them the true story of Jesus: his death, his resurrection, the call of the Church class--proving their worthiness by loyalty and faithfulness unto death. PD75/89
Cornelius had to believe what everybody must believe in order to become a Christian. HG117:6; NS803:4
The Holy Spirit fell – Without the laying on of hands as it was bestowed at Pentecost. Peter was not ready to lay his hands upon him. Peter quickly learned the lesson. R2990:5
The baptism of the holy Spirit comes upon the Church collectively. Indicating that the Gentiles also may become members of the Anointed. R5394:1, 1523:1
And has continued with all the consecrated and faithful ever since. R1523:1
The promised favor to Israel were fulfilled. B71.
The third baptism of the holy Spirit. Peter, used the second key to open the door for the Gentiles. E214; R375:5; Q75, 783; HG737:5; NS803:5, 213:2; SM465, 466
Them which heard – Those who appreciated, not infants. F448
The Church at Ceasarea was of considerable size; Philip made it his headquarters, Paul visited it three times. R2222:3
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| 45 and those of the circumcision believing were astonished as many as came with Peter because also upon the nations the gift of the Holy Spirit hath been poured out, |
Were astonished – Yet they were not envious. R2990:5
Shows that the Gospel had not been preached to any Gentiles for some time after Pentecost. R189:5
On the Gentiles – At the end of Fleshly Israel's seventieth week of favor. A223; R5832:6, 4344:2, 271:6
The gifts – Differed from "the fruits" of the Spirit. Conferred by laying on of the hands of the apostles. E207
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| 46 for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.
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Magnify God – Praising him, and rejoicing in their acceptance. R2990:5
Peter was merely the agent chosen. R1525:2
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| 47 Then answered Peter, 'The water is any one able to forbid, that these may not be baptized, who the Holy Spirit did receive even as also we ' |
Can any man forbid water – Appropriate and proper symbol. R1545:5
Baptized – Water immersion, symbolic of the immersion into Christ's death which he had already experienced. R4345:4, 2990:5, 760:3 10:48
Commanded – Directed. Similarly the Lord directs all of his people. R2990:6
In their consecration vow and in water. The custom of all the apostles. F448
In "fulfilling all righteousness," it is a joy and privilege. R760:6
Baptized – As a symbol of death and burial with Christ, and of a resurrection to newness of life. Our Lord's request and the Apostle's command. R2990:5, 937:4
Greek, dipping; immersion. R444:3, 5394:1, 4333:6, 1541:2,3, 760:3
It is certain that our Lord and his apostles practiced and enjoined upon all followers the rite of water baptism. R1539:3, 1540:4; NS54:4
Different from John's baptism. R445:4
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| 48 he commanded them also to be baptized in the name of the Lord; then they besought him to remain certain days. |
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