Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is NO respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.   The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is LORD of all) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree.  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.   And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him shall receive remission of sins.  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on them which HEARD the WORD.  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.  Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.  Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:34-48) 

Earlier in this chapter in the Book of Acts of the Apostles, we learn of a man name Cornelius who was, according to the description given, a devout and God fearing man who loved The Lord, he and his entire household.  He was noted as being a good and kind hearted man one who gave much to the poor, and who apparently had a heart after the Lord for he prayed and sought after The Lord always.  By all outward appearance he would seem to be perfect, a model Christian if one were to judge based upon works.  However, Cornelius and his household lacked one thing, the ONLY thing that would ensure them of salvation, of eternal life, the remission of sins, the promises of God…..  They had yet to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord, and had yet to receive the gift of The Holy Ghost.  Now, the opportunity would be given to Cornelius and those who were with him, to hear and receive the blessed gift from God through their acceptance of Christ The Lord, for the message of the cross had yet, up to that point, been preached to the gentiles.   

Cornelius had been given a vision about the ninth hour of the day (3:00pm) where an angel of the Lord appeared to him giving him the instructions to send men to the city of Joppa, to the Apostle Peter, who would then instruct him further in what the Lord would have him do.  Cornelius immediately obeyed the instructions from the angel of the Lord, which indicates his absolute willingness and desire to please God, and openness to learn all that God would desire to reveal to him.  Thus, he sent his men to seek out Simon Peter. 

While the men of Cornelius were on their way to find Peter, Peter also was given a vision.  While waiting for the preparation of the noon meal, (about the sixth hour) he fell into a trance where he saw heaven open and what appeared to be a great sheet filled with all sorts of animals, reptiles and birds.  He was then commanded to kill and eat but Peter had a problem with this.  Being that the animals were of a mixed multitude, meaning there were some that were considered “clean” and some considered “unclean”, and being gathered together as “one”, the unclean defiled (in Peter’s eyes) the clean, thus it made all unclean and Jewish customs were never to touch or eat any animal that was unclean.  And Peter answered the command to kill and eat by saying: “Not so Lord; For I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.”  But, the voice responded back to him in saying: “What God hath cleansed, that call NOT thou common.”  After this was done three times the vision ended and Peter’s ministry of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, BEGAN!  For the Lord had shown Peter through this vision, that the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord cleanses ALL that was once unclean and/or defiled, as God is no respecter of persons.  “For as many as would RECEIVE” the truth, and as many as would hear the message of the cross and BELIEVE on the Son of God, as many as would repent of their sins and accept the free gift of salvation and eternal life, would then be made a NEW creature.  OLD things are passed away, behold ALL THINGS have become NEW.  No longer common, no longer unclean, no longer defiled, but CLEANSED by the blood of the Lamb of God!  The Lord spoke these words in the book of John chapter 10, verse 15-16 “As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep.  And OTHER sheep I have, which are NOT of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; AND THERE SHALL BE ONE FOLD, AND ONE SHEPHERD.”  The other sheep were the Gentiles who were not of the original fold, but whom the Lord declared he would bring as they would hear his voice and follow, and BOTH FOLDS WOULD BE JOINED TOGETHER AS ONE FOLD, HAVING ONE SHEPHERD.  No longer separate groups of sheep, but joined together as ONE GROUP.  Just as the “clean” and “unclean” animals were joined together as one in Peter’s vision and ALL having been cleansed by the Lord God were good in his eyesight.  Now the message of Salvation is preached to Jews and Gentiles alike, and as many as would receive the word, would become part of the ONE fold (The body of Christ), having one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Cornelius and all his household and friends were eagered to hear the words of Peter, and Peter saw in his vision that it is the Lord’s will that ALL have opportunity to hear and received the blessed Gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord as he said when speaking to Cornelius and his household: “To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in HIM shall receive remission of sins.” Thus he declared to them the truth about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection and Cornelius, his friends and family HEARD the word, BELIEVED the word, RECEIVED the gift of salvation and the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and all were baptized in water. Thus, the Lord had joined both the Jews and Gentiles together as ONE where ALL have been washed and cleansed by His Blood!  One Truth, One fold, One Shepherd, ONE BODY! 

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS” (Gal 3:28)…… “For as MANY as would RECEIVE” 

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo 

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God