There was no way that he would ever get the zest of what was the actual meaning of the vision, but While Peter was wondering about the meaning of it, the three men sent by Cornelius ‘found the house in Joppa where was the apostle Peter, they stopped at the gate, and called out, asking if Simon, who was known as Peter, was staying there.’ While Peter was still thinking about the vision the Spirit said to him: ‘Simon three men are looking for you. So, get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’ (Acts 10: 20). He could not say NO to that! I love the way Jesus was priming Peter for the task ahead, I would value to have this privilege of actually hearing His commands! Nevertheless, in His own way He follows us and helps us in all we do!

The implication of what happened to Cornelius, a godly Roman, will challenge the young newly born Church and change it completely, for up till then it was in the main a Jewish entity. God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, I shall add to this what God rightly said; ‘My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts’. Those of us that are appointed to work with God, in this most amazing and great calling, need humility, for there are proud men nowadays that ignore completely great truths, fundamental truths, which must be believed for any sinner to repent and be saved! Because, of this open rebellion, the real Gospel is not preached, this is the greatest tragedy that has hit the modern Church, and made it irrelevant to the spiritual need of the hour! People in the world believe most stupid things about the hereafter and in general people esteem that every person that dies just goes up there, somewhere, regardless of their attitude to the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not know that he died for their sins!

There is so much one could say about this astonishing living experience. So, after such an intervention Peter had no choice, for he was under orders from the King. When they arrived and entered Cornelius’s house, he was keen to tell Peter, and the six men that came with him, his amazing experience, there is no doubt to them that God was at work! Thus, Cornelius said to Peter: ‘How he had seen an angel appear in his house and say; Send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and your household will be saved!’ So, I sent for you immediately, and it is good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.’ (Acts 10: 13-14) Now, if you want to know the full story you will find it in the book of the Acts of the Apostles chapter 10. It is so important; I am grateful to God that the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to dedicated one whole chapter to it! It shows that what followed cannot be ignored by all Evangelical preachers especially Pentecostal Evangelicals, for I fear that this generation, in the main, does not really believe that it is urgent that all their flock, of which the Lord has put them in charge, be filled with the Holy Spirit! Peter said to the people that repented, on the day of Pentecost: ‘Repent and be baptised every one of you, for all in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all that are far off – For all whom the Lord our God shall call.’ (Acts 2: 38-41) I shall say more about it in due course, but I felt led to mention it now! One does not receive the Holy Spirit when one in saved, nor does one receive Him when one is baptised in water! I shall return to this subject later.

I am always conscious that not all that read this ‘Links’ have a Bible, but I can only mention extracts of it, for the story of Cornelius is a long story, but again, I can only encourage you to get a Bible if you can, read the New Testament first, it is a treasure to possess, and you can read it, in it you will find the Book of Acts, and enjoy it to the full! I first started reading the Bible as a child. I barely learned to read in the local school in Northern France, where I was born. It was kind of, illustrated, for every so often there was a picture, one I still remember is the parable of the ‘Good Shepherd’, showing a shepherd carrying on his shoulder the ‘lost sheep’ which he went out to find. All Christians identify themselves with this lovely story, for it illustrates the love of Christfor his sheep!