III-THE UNKNOWN GOD

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

To continue examining the UNKNOWN GOD motif, I want to walk through an amazing event that happened to Peter. Remember, Peter was probably the leader of the early disciples while hanging out with Jesus. Many believe most of the disciples were in their late teens while Peter was most likely in his early twenties. After all Peter had experienced with Jesus, he was sold out to Him as the Jewish Messiah. You might say he was a very religious follower of Jesus. Now, with this in mind, note what happens.

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."

NOW note what happens on Peter's end of things. 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." 14 "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." 21 Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?" 22 The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only human myself."

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with Gentiles or visit them. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"

Cornelius told Peter what had happened to him, being visited by an angel. 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen-by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

It's interesting to me that AFTER Peter comes to realize that God shows no favoritism, but accepts those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. THEN Peter shifts into a very relevant gear. He moves into sharing his experience, strength and hope in Jesus. Then NOTE that Peter begins closing his remarks with "All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

OK, do you get what's happening here? Cornelius and his family were Romans. The Roman culture was filled with a mixture of gods and goddesses, many overlapping with the Greek culture. They had a wide spectrum of festivals and feasts as well as a great interest in the occult world, depending upon good or bad omens. Now, here we find a Roman family who is said to be God-fearing and those who earnestly and frequently prayed. Peter was forced to drop his religious add-ons and to go against the commands within his religious system in order for God to get to these foreigners.

NOTE 3 observations: 1. God's man needed for this mission had to step outside his religious and cultural box. Peter was not to "convert" this Roman family into Judaism.

2. God accepts those from every nation who fear or reverence Him and do what is right. This is an amazing statement of what is necessary for God's acceptance.

3. Peter shares that everyone who believes in Him (Jesus) receives forgiveness of sins. This forgiveness is for everyone who believes Jesus. This is Jesus Plus Nothing at its best!

Every story like this I read really perks me up to the amazing grace of God. It's too bad that Christians don't embrace this understanding more. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.