THE GENTILES ARE BROUGHT IN

Lesson: Acts 10:9 - 11:21

Text: Acts 10:9-47

Introduction: The depth of the racial and religious prejudice among the Jews toward all gentiles. would have made the southerners of our nation look like open-minded liberals. Many of them would not only not eat with gentiles, they wouldn't even use the dishes from which the gentiles had eaten.
I. Making the gentiles a part of the work was NOT an afterthought with God.
A. God promised it in the Abrahamic Covenant.
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
B. Paul applied it to the very subject of our lesson.
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
C. Isaiah foretold it.
Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
D. Paul explains the grafting in to that root.
Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [Note that the gentiles were NOT grafted into Israel but into Christ.]
E. This 'grafting in' is not salvation because salvation has ALWAYS been available to all men.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.


II. Consider God's wisdom in the Choice of men for the job of bringing in the first gentiles.
A. Paul was to be the Apostle to the gentiles. Had he been the one to do it, (bring in the first gentiles) no doubt, the brethren at Jerusalem would have seen it as an attempt by Paul to establish his own little dynasty. Paul was already viewed with suspicion by them.
B. Peter was the special apostle to Israel and was well established as an Israel patriot. They could not doubt his sincerity in doing that which had been clearly abhorrent to him.


III. God Was Working on both ends of the project. While Cornelius was being instructed, Peter was being prepared.


A. We need to know that when we are doing God's will, we can expect God to prepare the way for us. Christ is our FORERUNNER, not our rear guard!..
B. If Peter was the first 'pope' he sure acted strangely when meeting Cornelius.
Acts 10:25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Acts 10:26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Acts 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.


IV. The Gospel preached to them was the SAME one Peter had preached to the Jews.
Rom 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.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.


V. The Church cannot scripturally refuse those whom God has chosen to save and lead to His service.
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?