June 13
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GENTILES HEAR THE GOOD NEWS
A poem by ILMA
Peter told Cornelius that he saw clearly how God shows no favoritism
In every nation, he accepts those who fear him and do what is right
He declares the message of the Good News for the people of Israel
“That there is peace with God through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all.”
After John began preaching his message of baptism, we know Jesus went
He baptized the Lord and God anointed him with the Holy Spirit
Then Jesus went around doing good and healing the oppressed
He did all these miracles as God’s Spirit was so alive in his human body.
The apostles are witnesses of all Christ did throughout Judea in Jerusalem
They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but rose from the dead
Then God allowed him to appear, not to all but to whom he has chosen
He did that in advance to be his witnesses, so they can do his work.
Jesus ordered us all to preach everywhere and to testify that it is only Jesus
That his only Son Jesus was the one appointed by God to be judge of all
This includes the living and the dead, that Christ is the one Scriptures spoke about
Everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.
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MEMORY VERSE
I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. – Acts 10:34
Read: Acts 10
What amazing fair and just God we have. He never shows favoritism to anyone. He accepts anyone who fears him. This story of the apostles gave us a solid picture of how God treats anyone who believes in him and do what is right.
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REFLECTION
• How does favoritism play a part in destroying people?
• Why is it important that we fear the Lord and do what is right?
• What kind of an apostle was Peter bringing this Good News to the Gentiles?
Tag Archives: Acts 10
CORNELIUS CALLS FOR PETER Poem Devotional
June 12
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CORNELIUS CALLS FOR PETER
A poem by ILMA
In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius
He was a captain of the Italian Regiment and was devout
Cornelius was a God-fearing man and so did all his household
They all prayed regularly to God and gave generously to the poor.
One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision
An angel of God came towards him and he was terrified
“What is it, sir?” he asked the angel and he replied with
“Your prayers and gifts to the poor has been received.”
The angel told him to go to Joppa and summon Simon Peter
He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives by the seashore
As soon as the angel left, Cornelius called two of his servants
He told them what has happened and told them to go to Joppa.
The servants told Peter that they have come to bring him to Cornelius
When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him
Peter pulled him up and said, “I am human, just like you, so get up”
He told him that God instructed him to come to his house.
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MEMORY VERSE
Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you but God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. – Acts 10:28
Read: Acts 10
In those times when the apostles were preaching the Good News, Gentiles and Jews never mix together. Gentiles were considered unclean or impure. The story of Cornelius being shown a vision and asked to summon Simon Peter was a clear change in the perspective of Jewish law.
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REFLECTION
• Why would God break the laws of the Jews? What is it that he is actually changing?