Messages with tag - Caesarea

This section of Acts shifts focus to Peter and his preparation to present salvation to the Gentiles. See how and where God leads Peter into Gentile territory armed with his apostolic credentials. In whose name does Peter use these credentials? Look at parallel passages where Jesus heals and why the Jews should have understood these miracles as signs revealing Jesus as Messiah. How does healing in the Old Testament become another link connecting the signs the Jews refused to see? How does Peter’s vision in chapter 10 reveal a new direction from Law to grace in an entirely new focus that reaches out to Gentiles who want to know God?

Jewish religious practice at this time observed strict separation from Gentile culture, even though the Jews did have a level of missionary activity. To disrupt centuries of tradition was truly revolutionary. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, carefully orchestrated and revealed by God, signals a complete change of direction from strict observance of the law exclusive to the Jew, to universal inclusion of the Gentile in Grace. Peter had to contemplate the enormity of this change, but lost no time in obeying God and going to Cornelius in Caesarea. Cornelius and his family responded to Peter’s revelation of Truth. See how Cornelius and his family acted to fulfill God’s sign to the Jew of a judgment to come for national rejection of their Messiah.

When your life is caught up in a whirlwind of trouble, do you call on God to take away all the bad things? Or do you embrace God's plan for your life including the tests and suffering to help you mature spiritually? Listen to this hair-raising account of the Apostle Paul's arrest in Jerusalem where a rioting crowd spews out threats of dire consequences. See how the Jewish Sanhedrin Council accuses Paul and the high priest, Ananias, signals someone to slap him in the mouth. Hear Paul's heated defense as he gets to the heart of the matter by mentioning resurrection. Notice that God does not use a miracle to rescue Paul, but instead is behind the scenes directing the normal events. Realize that God is at work in our lives and is for us so nothing can be against us.

Imagine standing before the President of the United States and the Queen of England and having a chance to tell them what you believe about God. What would you say? Listen to this lesson to hear how the Apostle Paul defended his faith before rulers and kings. Marvel as he lays out the story of his meeting with the resurrected Christ and how he turned from killing Christians to spending the rest of his life telling the good news. Hear the meaning of repentance and the new responsibilities that change brings. Just as God provided for all the details of Paul's life, be assured that He is protecting us and working out every aspect of our lives today.