June 11, 2026 -- Acts 10:24 -- Prepared to Testify

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. Acts 10:24 ESV
 
Cornelius was not a Jewish man. He was an outsider to the Jewish people. Yet, many Jewish men spoke well of him. Obviously, they’d taught Cornelius to pray to God. To give alms. But he was not a Christian. In a vision, Cornelius was told to send for Peter. Peter, to this point a devout Jew who’d never entered an unclean house, that is, a house of non-Jewish man. Peter was prompted by the Spirit of God to go to Caesarea and witness to Cornelius.
 
What intrigues me are these facts.

  • God shows no favoritism—He will send missionaries and prophets far and wide to collect His people to Himself.

  • Cornelius is so excited about God that even before he is a Christian he is sending for his family and his close friends to hear Peter.

  • God had long been at work in Cornelius’ life. Many, men and women, put into Cornelius' life by God, influenced him long before Peter ever walked in.

  • Peter preached a brief sermon (at least in Acts it is brief) and Cornelius is radically saved.

  • The Holy Spirit falls on him and his family and close friends—all who heard the word. Exciting.

  • Peter was part of a long line of people God had sent to prepare Cornelius (and his family and close friends) to receive the Good News. What may have seemed sudden to Peter was in fact, the end goal of God’s long work of sending man before Peter.

 
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Do not be discouraged if, when you speak of Jesus, your listeners do not, like Cornelius and his family and friends, immediately receive Jesus with joy. You may be person three of the fifty or so people required to testify to Jesus, before the person in front of you will finally give himself to Jesus. Preach the word. Live for Jesus. Love the people God has put into your path.
 
Truly, O God, I understand You don’t show favoritism. You save men and women from many languages, tribes, peoples, and nations. Blessed be Your Name forevermore. Father, send me to speak as a witness to Jesus; by Your Holy Spirit, give me the boldness to speak and the discernment to know how little or much to say. Triune God, bring in the full number of Your people so that Your glory and Your renown will spread over this earth. In my own life, let Your praises shine forth. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/mgVS1W9nbO0?si=KRmFXC59Nq_m3ES5 The Ends of All the Earth Shall Hear
 

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