The physician Luke wrote how two servants and a soldier of Cornelius went to Joppa to find Peter. After arriving at Simon's house where Peter was staying, they met Peter and convinced him to go see their master Cornelius. After entering Cornelius house, Peter found many people gathered there, and Cornelius told Peter, “we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached. 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. 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. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly. 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. 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”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told Cornelius, “to him give all the prophets witness” where we read:
To him give all the prophets witness,
that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.
The verse begins, “To him give all the prophets witness, ...” Luke began with the words, “to him give all the prophets” which means “to Jesus grant, bestow, furnish and supply each, every, the whole and everyone of the men who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declared to men what they received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “witness” or “record, testimony and honest report”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people in his home how every one of the “prophets” testified concerning Jesus.
The verse continues, “... that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.” Luke added the words, “that through his name” which means “that by means of Jesus' name and everything the name is used for and covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “whosoever believes in him” or “whatever person whether male or female who trusts in, relies upon, has confidence in and clings to Jesus” “shall receive remission of sins” which means “will lay hold of, claim, procure and take possession of a release from bondage, pardon, deliverance and forgiveness of errors, wrongs, mistakes and missing of the mark”. Luke shared how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people in his house “whoever” “trusts in, relies upon and clings to Jesus” will “lay hold of” “forgiveness and deliverance” from “errors and wrongs”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” told “Cornelius” and the people in his home that anyone could receive “forgiveness” of their sins when they put their faith and trust in Jesus. Jesus was prophesied by all the prophets of old, and His purpose for coming to the world was to die on the cross in the place of every sinner. Anyone who yields their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will receive forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life with God. Those who carefully examine these beautiful words of “Peter” should surrender their life to the only One who is able to provide “salvation” from their sins and eternal life with the Heavenly Father God.
Next time Luke shares how, “the Holy Ghost fell on all them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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