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Exactly What Does the Apostle Peter Mean?

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kyredneck

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at the opening verses of the chapter, when he was praying, as a God-fearing man.

Where in the context does it say "he was seeking the Lord Jesus Christ"? You're embellishing the account and have got it backwards, it was the Lord Jesus Christ that sought Cornelius out:

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. Jn 10

11 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. Ezek 34
 

utilyan

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Are you advocating a works salvation?

I would trade all the salvation granted to me by God for all the good works you guys seem to pass up as a chore rather then the treasure itself.


You might as well say salvation can't save you.
 

tyndale1946

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I'm glad you cleared that up Kentucky... Um... Well.. Uh... If you saw it any other way... You would just have to get rebaptized... Brother Glen:Biggrin

You might get a kick out this Kentucky!... At an river baptism after in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost pronouncement, the preacher took a fella and dunk him under once and bringing him out from the water hollered... HAVE YOU FOUND JEEEESUS?... Well he didn't respond so under he went again and up he came... The preacher again hollered... HAVE YOU FOUND JEEEEEEEESUS!... Still no response... So under he went again and when he came up the third time he was sputtering and coughing trying to get his breath... The preacher hollering... HAVE YOU FOUND JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESUS!... When he caught his breath he turn to the preacher and hollered... WELL IF YOU SHOW WHERE HE FELL IN I'LL SEE IF I CAN'T FIND HIM!... Brother Glen:Roflmao
 
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Saved-By-Grace

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IMO Cornelius was a "saved" individual and only needed the promise of the New Covenant filling of the Holy Spirit which came via the identity of the Old Covenant Messiah.

HankD

Saved before Peter told him the way of salvation, before he repented?
 

Saved-By-Grace

Well-Known Member
Where in the context does it say "he was seeking the Lord Jesus Christ"? You're embellishing the account and have got it backwards, it was the Lord Jesus Christ that sought Cornelius out:

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. Jn 10

11 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. Ezek 34

There is no doubt that he would have heard about Jesus Christ, and salvation through Him! After all Jesus Himself is Almighty God.
 

Aaron

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In Acts chapter 10 we read of the conversion of the Gentile, Cornelius, by the testimony of the Apostle Peter, who was commissioned by God to take the Gospel of his salvation, to his home. Reading Peter's words, we come across something very interesting:

"So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him" (verses 34-35)

These are not the words of mere man, but that of Almighty God, spoken through His servant, Peter. Cornelius, we are told, was "a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God" (verse 2). The conversion of Cornelius and his household, was the Pentecost of the Gentiles, like chapter 2 of Acts, was that of the Jews.

How do people understand the words of Peter in verses 34 and 35? It seems very clear that "WORKS" (does what is right), somehow is "acceptable" to God. However, we know that no person can ever "earn" their place in heaven, through any "good deeds" that they do, by themselves, as there is no "self-merit" in ones salvation, as it is from start to finish, "of the Lord". Because of his "good deeds", which was seen by the Lord, He arranged for the Apostle Peter to preach the Gospel for their salvation, upon hearing this, Good News, Cornelius and his household accepted the Message and gave their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. The fact that "fearing God" and doing "what is right and acceptable to Him", did indeed play a role in his and his families salvation, cannot be undermined in any way.

I do not use this passage to espouse a "works salvation", as I do not believe that this is any way taught in the entire Holy Bible.

In the Book of Jonah we read, that after the people of Nineveh heard the Gospel Message from Jonah, that the kings "arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way (repent) and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” (3:6-9)

We then read of God's response:

"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way (repented); and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" (verse 10)

It is very clear from this passage, that the "repenting" and "sorrow" of their sins, was "acceptable" to God, and when He "saw their work", not something they had "done to earn" their salvation, but their "repenting", and accepting what God had told them through Jonah, that caused God to save them!
Haven't read the whole thread, but the point was that in Jewish thought, only Jews were acceptable. They were the only ones who had access to God through the Tabernacle.

Peter has been converted from that fallacy.

As far as what is acceptable to God? Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
 

kyredneck

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It seems very clear that "WORKS" (does what is right), somehow is "acceptable" to God.

Ya think?

5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 who will render to every man according to his works: Ro 2

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. Jn 5

10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor 5

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Mt 25
 
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kyredneck

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It seems very clear that "WORKS" (does what is right), somehow is "acceptable" to God.

Concerning 'the first commission', you ever meditate on the 'root source' of the worthiness (or lack of) the apostles were to look for?:

11 And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth.
12 And as ye enter into the house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. Mt 10

What made them worthy? How were the apostles to know if they were worthy?
 
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