Then Peter Opened His Mouth and Preached Peace By Jesus Christ

He Shall Tell You What To Do Part Five

Peter's message in the house of Cornelius speaks to an apostate church of this hour that has refused and rejected to deal with the ministry and operation of the Holy Ghost. If we misinterpret or misunderstands His manner of working, as many do, they we are then left with noting but human devices and schemes. Tragically most of the Religious denominations have denied the Word of God and the Working and Operation of the Holy Ghost simply because of not rightly dividing the Word of Truth and/or upon hearing the truth rejecting this truth because of a hardened heart of unbelief! When this takes place that which is God is pushed aside for that which is either of man or Satan. To be frank if it is of man Satan is behind it. The modern church system has become very adept at calling that which is God of "Satan," and that which is Satan "God." Unless we have revival in the church our fate is going to be apostasy as it is in many camps at present time. God has anointed JESUS CHRIST with the HOLY GHOST and for those who seek the mighty baptism in the Spirit the Lord Jesus Christ wants to anoint them as well!

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: Acts 10:34-38 - 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.

Peter's message in the house of Cornelius in the book of Acts contains truths that speak to an apostate church of this hour that has refused and rejected with the ministry and operation of the Holy Ghost. If we misinterpret or misunderstand His manner of working, as many do, they we are then left with noting but human devices and schemes. When men reject the Cross, they reject the ONLY thing that stands between man and eternal hell. To underscore that statement let this writer also state that there is nothing more important in the world than our salvation and our walk with God.

As we have pointed out many times in this ongoing journal series on the 10th Chapter of Acts, Cornelius was a very moral person yet he was lost; he "feared God," and "worked righteousness," but it was not enough to save his soul. No one earns Salvation through good works or being a moral person. Yes, morality is important but God is looking for more than morality; His Law demands perfection - something sinful man will NEVER be able to obtain. Morality outside that which is produced by faith in Christ and the Cross is self-righteousness and will not be accepted by God in the day of judgment! Men demand a morality that only reaches a certain plain; God's demand is perfection and that perfection is only found in Christ!

Hell is full of "good moral" people who, like Cornelius had outstanding character - but he did truly know the God of heaven in saving faith through what Christ did at the Cross; Only those who are born again by the Spirit of God die and go to heaven - "you must be born again," Jesus said to the religious rabbi Nicodemus.

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
 

Salvation is not about morality;  it’s about the righteousness of Christ and His righteousness ONLY which alone comes through faith in the Cross of Christ  and what Christ accomplished there for those of Adam's fallen race. This modern "morality gospel" which goes under many titles i.e. the social gospel, the good works gospel, the self-esteem gospel, the purpose driven gospel, all tries to produce a human based morality without the Cross and neighbor it can’t be done. It may sound good, look good, tickle your flesh, draw crowds and even have the approval of 99.9% of most churches in America - but it’s a FALSE GOSPEL and is leading millions astray neighbor. Should the ones embracing such gospel fail to truly repent and express saving faith in Christ they will spend eternity without God in eternal hell.

The church world today is facing one of its greatest threats against the truth of the gospel since the time of the Reformation. There are many "enemies of the Cross," who despite having light concerning what Christ did at the Cross WILLFULLY and without remorse REJECT this message and proclaim other things for man's salvation and deliverance.

When any ministry teaches or preaches anything OTHER than the CROSS that ministry or minister is pointing people away from the ONLY SOURCE Of salvation and deliverance known to man. Paul said through tears that those who are not preaching the Cross are ENEMIES of the Cross, "whose end is DESTRUCTION," and whose God is their belly. Paul also says their "glory is in their shame," and they mind "earthly things." Those who reject the Cross always points men to "earthly" methods for their deliverance and sanctification.

Philip. 3:17-21
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. [18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

If one will notice these ministries who do such they may use the name of Jesus and even make mention of the Cross, but because of the tragedy of unbelief will not hold up the Cross of Christ to those seeking freedom from addictions and bondage.

There is only once source of freedom - the anointed Word of God i.e. the anointing of the Spirit of God which anoints the message of the Cross alone!

Tragically most of the Religious denominations have denied the Word of God and the Working and Operation of the Holy Ghost simply because of not rightly dividing the Word of Truth and/or upon hearing the truth have rejected such  truth because of a hardened heart of unbelief! When this takes place that which is of God is pushed aside for that which is either of man or Satan. To be frank if it is of man Satan is behind it. The modern apostate church system has become very adept at calling that which is God of "Satan," and that which is Satan "God." Unless we have revival in the church our fate is going to be apostasy as it is in many camps at the present time. God has anointed JESUS CHRIST with the HOLY GHOST and and it is the ANOINTING upon CHRIST that breaks every chain of mankind and sets the captive free!

Man wants deliverance on his own terms but God only gives deliverance upon HIS terms! When we place our faith in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross we then receive all the benefits of the Cross i.e. the anointing of the Spirit, the working of the Spirit, the infilling of the Spirit and the enduement of power from on high from the Spirit. There is no deliverance outside the Spirit of God and the anointing of His power! Resist the anointing of the Spirit and you resist and reject deliverance! Why? Because the SPIRIT OF THE LORD is UPON CHRIST because He has "anointed," CHRIST to "preach" the gospel to the poor; sent Him to HEAL the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives; and recovery of sight to the blind; to set a liberty who are oppressed. This ministry of Christ still takes place today for all those who have placed faith in the Cross of Christ and have received in the infilling of the Spirit of God. 

Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed
 

Isaiah 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Acts 10:38 - How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

The "yoke," of bondage is destroyed because of the anointing. That is as simple a statement as one gets. The term "anointing," comes from the Greek, "charisma," and means anything smeared on; a scented unguent or ointment of thicker consistency than "muron," sweet oil or perfume referring to ointment as it refers to the Holy Spirit from whom flows all the gifts and graces of the church. He is typified in Exodus 29:7; Exodus 30:23-25 (cp. Psalm 45:7) and provides ALL things necessary to salvation and the Christian life in general. The church needs another Pentecost! We need an enduement of power from on High! At the end of this great message Peter preached at Cornelius, the HOLY GHOST fell and Cornelius and his house were not only saved, but baptized in the HOLY GHOST with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.

John the Apostle spoke in tongues, Peter spoke in tongues, Paul spoke in tongues, James spoke in tongues, Luke spoke in tongues, Mark spoke in tongues, Matthew spoke in tongues, and Mary the mother of Jesus Christ SPOKE IN TONGUES. If those who wrote the entire New Covenant spoke in tongues and were anointed by the power of the HOLY GHOST, why do we in our ignorance of this modern age feel we can make it through this Christian life without the same anointing??? Ignorance and religious arrogance lead to such naiveté and it's destroying millions of souls.  As we write this in early 2007, those who are baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues make up 25% of the entire Body of Christ and is one of the largest growing segments of Christianity today.

Paul said if someone wants to claim their spiritual, then accept what the Word of God says about tongues and prophecy, "commandments of the Lord;" the apostle adds however, that if any man seeks to be willfully ignorant of spiritual gifts, let him be ignorant.

1 Cor. 14 - 37-38 - If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. [38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. [39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.
 

It is the utmost arrogance to believe that we can do anything in our own strength and not need the Holy Ghost. This writer needs the Holy Ghost to pray; this writer needs the Holy Ghost to breathe; he needs the Spirit of God to get up in the morning; go to bed at night; walk during the day; I need Him when I sit down and read God's Holy Word to guide and lead and direct me what He is saying to my heart; I need him in EVERYTHING I undertake for the Kingdom of God's sake - no exceptions. I don't need the #1 best seller on the New York Times list of books and use that as my guidebook for godly living. Preacher, get the Purpose Driven Life out of your pulpit and ministry and come before the Lord so He can anoint you with the HOLY GHOST and fire; if we are preachers or teachers of the Word, we need to be baptized in the Spirit of Almighty God and endued with power from on High. ONLY THAT WHICH THE SPIRIT PRODUCES WILL BRING ETERNAL RESULTS!  You'll be amazed at how much your church will change. Get Freud out of your pulpit and you'll see the Spirit of God fall like rain once more and people will be saved, delivered, healed and set free from the powers of darkness! There is NO freedom outside the freedom that comes from the Spirit of God - NONE, ZERO, NOTTA, ZILCH. He that the SON has set free is free indeed.

The anointing of the Spirit involves more than just speaking in tongues without a doubt; It involves prophetic unction; it involves healing; it involves power; it involves the power to lay hands on those oppressed by Satan and in the name of Jesus come into agreement and see the power of Almighty God break the YOKE off the shoulders of those bound by the powers of darkness. It involves signs and wanders and those are things that follow them that believe, not them who consciously reject such because of their religious background or own opinion about such.

Mark 16:14-18
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. [15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. [19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Jesus spoke these words HIMSELF and when He was finished was taken up to heaven and SAT DOWN on the right hand of God. That tells this writer, He didn't say this for the church to argue over it and through the mouths of the unbelieving and even the unsaved who claim their preachers of the gospel to say otherwise. He sits at the RIGHT HAND of God looking over His Body whom He has commanded to GO YE INTO THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL! The gospel of Jesus Christ does not need man's vain and foolish philosophy added to it.
 

Men bound by the powers of darkness need something more than a 12-step program, a rehab center, a self-esteem seminar, or a book on how to be a "champion," or whatever else the latest church craze is. MAN NEEDS TO REPENT AND THROW HIMSELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHERE ACCESS TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS! Glory to God.

Peter Opened His Mouth and Said, "God Is Not A Respecter of Persons!"

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

The way of Salvation was made clear by the Apostle Peter to the house of Cornelius. He was SENT to preach the gospel that would break the bounds of Judaism and open the door of the gospel to the Gentiles. How many places are there in the world; how many cities; how many homes; how many individuals just like Cornelius are waiting for the Preacher to come? Peter was probably about the only one who could be sent at that time, who could fully obey the Lord and whose decision would be accepted by the Church. Is it possible at the present time that the Lord has no one to send? Is it possible that many who actually do go in one form or the other do not preach the Truth? Or if they preach the Truth, how many truly are anointed by the Holy Spirit to do so? That question must be answered in the American church if we are to have revival.

Oh, we love to invite our big name preachers and have our seminars and television simulcasts, but are we embracing and coveting the true preaching of the gospel? I remember hearing R.W. Schambach say years ago, "invite a singing group you'll have a line 10 miles long waiting to get in; call a prayer meeting for people to seek God and see the Spirit move and you won't be able to fill the front row."  Peter was SENT by the HOLY GHOST to the house of Cornelius and men must be SENT today!

Romans 10:14-17 - How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Peter said God is "no respecter of persons," meaning that the truth he preached to Cornelius the Gentile was not a new Truth. The Old Covenant recognized this truth but up to this time Peter had applied it to the Jews only and not Gentiles (HORTON, JSM) As Peter opens his mouth to the house of Cornelius he now understands the meaning of the vision given two days before. Many times God gives us a vision of what is ahead and we don't understand but there will come understanding! We need only obey the heavenly vision and understand that all that God does when He sends men to preach His word is to offer His great salvation plan to ALL who listen and believe! Cornelius was such a man!

God is impartial in His dealings with humanity. We must ALL come the same way - and that way is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Peter 1:17
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Romans 2:11
For there is no respect of persons with God.

Ephes. 6:9
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

The Righteousness of Christ

Acts 10:35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Salvation's plan does not vary for the Jew OR the Gentile - both must come the same exact way! Whatever God accepts in a Jew, as He did Peter and his companions, He also accepts in Gentiles, as He would do with Cornelius. If the things done were good in themselves they were equally good whoever did them. God is no respecter of persons to accept one or another, because of who he is, and not because of what he does.

Ephes. 6:8
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

The Lord said, "in every nation," not "every religion," as corrupters of Truth assert. The phrase "he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness," proclaims that all are judged on the same basis- rejection or acceptance of what Christ did for at the Cross of Calvary! When the Holy Spirit speaks and says that he who "works righteousness," does not mean one can earn Salvation because of what he "does," or doesn't "do." it meant that Cornelius was a man who diligently sought the Lord, which God always honors. He is looking for spiritual hunger and thirst - Jesus called such "blessed."

Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Cornelius was walking in all the light he knew, even though that light was woefully insufficient. To those who are sincerely seeking, God always gives more LIGHT and in a few moments Cornelius would find out the "righteousness," which ONLY GOD can give, and which comes without price.

Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Christ Was Sent of God To Israel Preaching Peace and Is Lord of All

Acts 10:36
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
 

Peace with God only comes by Jesus Christ! Paul would later write, but which Peter already knew, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." (Eph. 2:13-14) The simply means that Jews and Gentiles are ONE IN CHRIST JESUS!

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 10:9-13
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. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] 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. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1 Cor. 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Col. 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Sadly, the "word which God gave unto the children of Israel," was rejected by Israel who would not have the Message OR the Messenger. It is also the state of the apostate church today that rejects the true message of the gospel  and many times shuns the messenger bringing it; while the truth is rejected most readily and gleefully accept a false gospel and embrace false teachers without conscience or hesitation. Light rejected is always darkness accepted and Jesus declared "if the light that is in you be darkness, how GREAT is that darkness?" 

Matthew 6:20-23
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Due to the Fall, man has no peace with God, meaning there has always been enmity and war between sinful man and a thrice Holy God. God will never change His standard by which man finds peace with Him and that is only through Christ and the Cross.  When we come to Jesus by faith, the enmity that is between God and man is removed, which sets things right again, and "peace" is made! This can be done only through Christ! He is LORD OF ALL, and as such expresses to the believer the very nature of God's Kingdom and how it operates.

Of the Triune Godhead, Jesus Christ is the One Who paid the price of man's redemption, by dying on the Cross. He alone satisfied the claims of heavenly Justice, taking the Curse of the Law upon Himself, which rightly should have come upon all of mankind. As well, He rose from the dead thereby defeating Death, Hell and the Grave. He ascended to the Father, where He abides still, but immediately upon His arrival, He sent back the HOLY GHOST, which He had promised to do!

Acts 2:32-36
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

John 16:7-9
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Inasmuch as Jesus is the One Who has done all of this, it is only through Faith in Him that one can be Saved. Through Him ALONE do we have access to the Father. He is the Baptizer in the Holy Ghost, and it is through Faith in His name that the sick are healed and demons expelled! Jesus is also the Head of the Church. He is the expression of ALL that the Father wishes to express to the world today!

John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 10:1-5
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [2] But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. [4] And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. [5] And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 16:15-18
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Acts 3:16
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Ephes. 1:19-23
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

John 3:16-20
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Matthew 10:6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:24
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Peter under the anointing of the Spirit declared to Cornelius and all those who would come after Him that Christ came preaching peace. It was the message the angels delivered at His birth and it was His message to the disciples hours before He was crucified at the hands of the religious of Israel:

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Again, let the reader remember again that this passage gives the first message ever preached to Gentiles by one of the apostles. It is the message that opened the door of salvation to all the people of the world, i.e. the Gentiles, not just to the Jews. It's a message that as Peter stated needs to be preached to the entire world! God is no respecter of persons—He accepts anyone who fears Him and is declared righteous through what Christ did at the Cross.

 God sent His Word to Israel by sending Jesus Christ who preached "peace," to fallen man. He is God's anointed Savior and servant, crucified, raised up by God from the dead, appeared to many who were chosen to be  witnesses, and one day will judge the living and the dead. Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah and by believing on Him we receive forgiveness of sins.

God does not accept man because of nationality, race, caste, social standing, or class. God does not favor a man because of  who he is, what he does, what he has or where man has been. God never accepts man based on appearance, possessions, or position, abilities or works - NONE of this makes one acceptable to God, a point we have hammered many times in this series of messages on Cornelius. Understand that Peter the Apostle had to believe in what Christ did at the Cross just as Cornelius did and we do today. Peter was not accepted by God because he was an apostle! He was accepted by God because of His faith in the Finished Work of Christ.

This is the foundation of the message he preached at the house of Cornelius! The life of Christ and its influence on history breathes on every single page of the Word of God - both the Old Covenant and the New! This is probably seen even more in Paul's Epistles, as well as that of Peter and John. The rejection and suffering associated with the Finished Work of Christ has now been left behind and the Lamb of God has now been vindicated, exalted and entered into Glory! There is NO peace for sinful man outside faith in this Finished Work! We must "empty" ourselves of self-will to embrace the Cross in which all true peace exists.

Philip. 2:7
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Peter's burden at the house of Cornelius is the burden of Peter's first address at Pentecost:

Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
 

The Christ to Whom Peter was pointing Cornelius was both "LORD" and "CHRIST," meaning He was the Anointed Son of God to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue WILL confess that HE IS LORD! The enemy of man's soul may lie, deceive and keep millions in his bondage but the day is coming that even the devil will bow the knee and declare that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! The atheists who foolishly proclaim there is no God will one day bow and say JESUS IS LORD! The apostate church and those who profess they "know" Christ but really don't KNOW HIM in the fellowship in His sufferings and the power of His Resurrection will bow the knee and declare "JESUS IS LORD." In the beginning was the WORD, the Word WAS WITH GOD and the Word WAS God! Jesus Christ has been the main focus of God's plan for man for all eternity - past, present and future - and He has come preaching PEACE to a world at enmity with God because of sin!

Jesus Christ is not just some man or some prophet - He is the DIVINE Son of God and as such deserves ALL our glory and praise. As such He demands and deserves all the Earth's reverence and worship! He has been God both in eternity's past and will be in eternity's future. He is God in Divine Works (Creation), in Divine Worship, and in Divine Names and Titles.

Hebrews 1:8
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.

Rev. 5:11-12
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; [12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Philip. 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 1:2
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Rev. 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Rev. 3:14
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodicea's write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Col. 1:16-17
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

1 Cor. 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Peter opened his mouth and preached Peace by Jesus Christ which comes through justification by faith in the Cross of Christ. When we don't preach the Cross and open our mouth to a lost and dying world we present false gospel that will produce a false peace and ultimately eternal hell.

Isaiah 57:19-21
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. [20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. [21] There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Jeremiah 8:11-15
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. [12] Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. I will surely consume them, saith the Lord: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. [14] Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defensed cities, and let us be silent there: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. [15] We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!

The coming time of Tribulation will be filled at first with a time of false peace under the Antichrist but will be a time of nothing but war, death and destruction. The only period of true peace this world will ever know or understand will be the time when Jesus Christ rules and reigns from Jerusalem when He returns to Earth with the saints. That is why we as believers cry like John, "even so Come, quickly, Lord Jesus!" The Spirit and the Bride say, "COME," to the Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God and the one upon whom ALL governments will rest upon! Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ ALONE is the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The answer to the horrific condition of this fallen planet is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ! The message that Peter preached in the home of Cornelius is a message we so earnestly need to hear in the church world today - Jesus Christ has come and preached PEACE! Jeremiah the prophet rebuked the false prophets of Israel for healing the hurt of the daughter of my people "slightly," saying "peace, peace," when there is no peace. NEIGHBOR, hear this writer. Whenever we cease preaching the Cross and we claim people can find deliverance through any other means, we are doing the exact same thing the false prophets did in Jeremiah's day.

The Holy Spirit asks the question, "were they ashamed when they committed this abomination?" He answered His own question and said, "no." That is the state of the current apostate church. We are not ashamed and we can't even blush today at the rampant false doctrine that is destroying millions of souls and sending men's souls to an eternal hell. Some may be saved despite these false teachings but friend it's a scary thing to play this type of Russian Roulette with the souls of men; God is going to hold those teaching such foolishness accountable before Him for the ones they lead astray and away from the Cross! Jeremiah proclaims, "they shall fall among them that fall," and in the time of their visitation, they shall be "cast down," and "I will surely consume them." The only protection from God's wrath and anger against a sinful race is the Cross of Christ, which means we have access to His Resurrection power to live Godly, sober, vigilant lives before Him above sin's dominion and in the power of His Love and Grace.  We must, in this last perilous hour before Jesus returns, open our mouths and preach peace through Jesus Christ. It's getting late neighbor and it's harvest time!! God bless.

No Other Source of Forgiveness, Peace and Reconciliation Outside Faith in The Cross of Christ!

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