Preschool
Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Luke 6:27
All Who Believe Shall Receive
Memory Verses
Primary
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Luke 6:27
Junior
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Luke 6:27
Background Scripture: Acts 10
Lesson Scripture: Acts 10:9–16, 34–43
Introduction
The gateway to salvation “stands free for all who seek through it salvation; the rich and poor, the great and small, of every tribe and nation.” 1 In our depravity, we may think that some races or ethnic groups are more compatible with Christianity than others. However, the Holy Spirit teaches us to love the souls of mankind equally.
Key Verse
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 (Rom. 10:12).
Lesson Scripture
Acts 10:9 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 unto 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 fourfooted 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.
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 of 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.
Studying the Lesson
Our hearts are warmed when we consider the life of Cornelius. He was a man of authority in the Roman army and was not from the lineage of God’s chosen people. Yet his devotion to God was remarkable, and if he was aware of the Mosaic Law which excluded foreigners like him, he was not hindered by it. God saw it was time to bring this man and his household into the New Testament church.
We may wonder how Cornelius learned about God and His people. Did he sense any aloofness in the Jews? Yet his prayers continued to ascend to the throne of grace. He showed his care for the poor by his unselfish giving. Then one delightful day Cornelius received a heavenly visitor who told him to invite the apostle Peter to his house. Messengers were dispatched without delay.
God had given the Israelites specific instructions about which animals they could use for food. “Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl” (Lev. 20:25). Peter knew by heart which creatures were forbidden, and he had never eaten anything unclean.
In a vision, Peter saw a menagerie of many forbidden animals. His first thought could have been that he must not eat any of these creatures. But a voice told him to kill the animals he beheld and satisfy his natural hunger. He answered that he had never eaten an unclean beast. The reply from above informed him that God had made this food fit to eat. This happened three times, and the vessel was taken back to heaven.
As the vision faded, Peter was certain this was not merely a fleeting dream. He did not have long to ponder, for the Spirit told him that three men were looking for him. He was to go with them without questioning. Like the apostle Paul at his conversion, Peter “conferred not with flesh and blood” (Gal. 1:16) but invited the men to stay for the night. Peter did not attempt to move independently but took six brethren with him the next day, and they traveled to the house of Cornelius.
So confident was the centurion in God’s guidance that he called his friends and family together in anticipation of hearing the Word of God. It appears they also had a longing in their hearts. As Peter arrived, he first told his audience that God had undoubtedly sent him. Then he brought a simple and complete gospel message, preaching salvation through faith in the blood of Jesus.
Peter’s sermon was accepted by his listeners and, to the astonishment of the Jews that were present, the Holy Ghost filled the hearts of the listeners and brought forth witness. Baptism was administered without delay. Later the news of this baptismal service was poorly received by the church in Jerusalem. However, as Peter related the whole account, they rejoiced over the inclusion of the gentiles.
This experience may have reminded Peter of the time he walked on the water to go to Jesus (Matt. 14:29). Again, he was walking where man had never walked or thought to be possible. Now, too, as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he could keep on walking.
Later there was an instance where Peter floundered, affected by the Jewish believers’ opinion of eating with gentile Christians (Gal. 2:11–16). This time the apostle Paul helped (reproved) Peter, albeit not too gently, and rescued Peter from “sinking.” It is apparent that Peter’s walk from then on was consistent.
Practical Truths for Today
The call of God and the church goes out to all men. Shortly before Jesus returned to heaven, He commissioned His disciples to carry on the great work of evangelizing the world. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20). The basic theme of the gospel is recorded in Acts 16:31, where Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailor who was in anguish of soul, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Sadly, many nominal Christians omit the follow-up work of instructing new converts in the faith. Thus, obedience to the teachings of Christ is left out and salvation is based in merely an intellectual belief.
It should be the earnest desire of the true Christian that every soul on earth be saved. God declares through Ezekiel, “All souls are mine” (Ezek. 18:4). John the Revelator “saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6). The Great Commission is worldwide and states that the gospel shall be preached to all nations, peoples, races, and tongues. Article 13 of the 1962 General Conference of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, states our position on race relations. “We adhere to the New Testament teaching on this important issue . . . The call of God and the Church is to all men.” All races and ethnic groups are equally entitled to salvation through the blood of Christ. As we listen to the still, small voice, this truth will motivate us to reach out to everyone.
Why would we think some people are more worthy of salvation or more compatible with Christianity than others? We may unconsciously perceive someone as being of lesser intelligence than others and therefore not a good candidate for conversion. We often find that intellect, if unsanctified, is a real hindrance to understanding the Holy Spirit. We do not all have equal financial opportunities, but “the rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all” (Prov. 22:2). Our pride might prefer to associate with well-to-do people, yet when Jesus replied to the messengers sent from John the Baptist, He specifically mentioned that “to the poor the gospel is preached” (Luke 7:22).
Questions
- What are signs that we put too much stock in our Christian ancestry or heritage?
- How can I maintain the vision and portray it to all I meet that every soul is as worthy of salvation as I am?
- How can I prove within my own heart whether I love all mankind equally?
- Will a true thankfulness for salvation motivate me to share it with others?
- 1 Lydia Baxter (1809–1874), “The Gate Ajar for Me”
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).