Brought Together By The Holy Spirit

Acts 10:24-31

Cornelius’s messengers were tired, and they probably didn’t leave Joppa very early so it took more than a day to reach Caesarea. Think how the Holy Spirit worked to get Cornelius to send three men on such a trip, and to get Peter and a group of Christians to accompany them back. He has overcome the lack of a preacher in Caesarea, and the distance to the nearest church. He has also overcome the Preacher’s religious prejudices and standards.

“And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.” (Acts 10:24-25

Cornelius was obviously excited about what he hoped would happen, waiting for them and bringing his relatives and friends together. When Peter came in, he received the same kind of respect that is often accorded a preacher or religious leader. Cornelius fell at his feet, worshipping Peter. While the degree shown toward the Pope exceeds what preachers usually receive, it can be very flattering to be shown such deference.

“But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” (Acts 10:26 )

Such an attitude of deference focuses on the man rather than on Christ and is wrong, but is to be common with unsaved people. The Holy Spirit Glorifies the Lord, not man or the himself, according to John 16:13-14. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” Led of the Spirit, Peter was quick to point out that he was no better than they were.

“And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?” (Acts 10:27-29)

Any religious Jew would not have gone into a gentiles house to visit, and this was well known. Peter’s presence was unprecedented and so he explained why he had ignored his religious teachings to travel so far to meet with a bunch of gentiles. He was obeying a command of God to come, but now he needs to know why they sent for him.

“And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10:30-33)

Cornelius explained how he came to send for Peter at God’s command, in answer to his prayers. He knew that God had something Peter was to tell him, but he had no idea what it was. The entire crowd had come together to hear what God directed Peter to say.

Peter was in Caesarea because the Holy Spirit led him to come, and he obeyed. Cornelius sent for Peter and was waiting with the crowd because the Holy Spirit led him, and he obeyed. Without obedience by both, the story would never have been completed.

The purpose was to hear the Word of God. When the Holy Spirit draws the people, that will always be the desire. If the people come because of the music, or program, or for any other reason than to hear God’s word, the Holy Spirit is not the motivating force. Jesus addressed the problem that they came only for physical pleasure in John 6:26 “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” They hadn’t come because they believed, but because they wanted the free food. How many are in church today because it offers free entertainment or food?

While God may still work, he will have to overcome their misplaced interest. I wonder how often our emphasis on the music, or activities, or the speaker interferes with the Holy Spirit’s work by focusing attention in the wrong place?