"The Rule" - Cornelius

So far in the teaching about “the Rule” we have discussed several things. We saw how there are many exceptions to “the Rule”, we saw that the new covenant church was for Jew only, we saw where God gave the one new man so he could save the Gentiles with the new covenant salvation and various other things.

Now it’s time to talk about Cornelius. Cornelius was an uncircumcised Gentile, which was a stranger from the covenants of promise given to the nation of Israel.

Now let’s compare two people, Cornelius and Nicolas the proselyte from Antioch who was one of the seven. In Acts 6 it says,

“5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”

Nicolas was a proselyte. In other words he was a circumcised Gentile that kept covenant with God and he also believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions:

Did the apostles have any problem with Nicolas being one of the seven?

No problem at all. A Gentile that gets circumcised and keeps covenant with God is considered as one of Israel.

Did Nicolas have the Holy Ghost?

Sure he did. If he did not have the Holy Ghost they would not have chosen him to be one of the seven.

Did Nicolas fear God?

Sure he did, or he would not have been in the position he was in.

Did Nicolas bless Israel?

You bet he did. He even decided to become one of them.

Did Nicolas pray to God?

Nicolas was a faithful man with the Holy Ghost. Sure he prayed to God.

Now let’s compare Nicolas with Cornelius. In Acts 10 it says,

“1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Did Cornelius fear God?

Yes.

Did Cornelius bless Israel?

Yes.

Did Cornelius pray to God?

Yes.

Was he saved?

No.

Now let’s go to the vision that the Lord showed Peter in Acts 10,

“10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

In this vision, God is trying to show Peter that he cleansed something. But watch the very next verse,

“17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,”

Question:

Did Peter fully understand the vision? NO. He doubted what it meant.

Now the Lord already had plans to show Peter what he did and got Cornelius to send for Peter and the Spirit told Peter to go with them. As Peter gets to Cornelius’ house he says something very, very important in verse 28,

“28 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 shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

Peter said it was an unlawful thing for him to keep company or to come unto one of another nation, in other words he was not supposed to go to uncircumcised Gentiles, but God showed him that he should not call any man common or unclean.

When did God show him this? About a day or so earlier when he gave him the vision of the great sheet.

Before this time, did Peter have any intentions of going to the Gentiles?

NO. None whatsoever. The salvation of the new covenant was promised to Israel, not the uncircumcised Gentiles.

After his encounter with Cornelius, the other apostles heard about it and hassled him about going to the uncircumcised Gentiles. In Acts 11 it says,

“1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”

So what was the problem here? Didn’t Cornelius fear God? Didn’t Cornelius bless Israel? Didn’t Cornelius pray to God?

The problem was that Cornelius was uncircumcised. He did not keep covenant with God. The apostles were not supposed to go unto the people that did not keep covenant with God, but Peter went anyway because God was trying to show him something.

But Peter rehearsed the matter with them and told them what happened with the vision and what God told him to do. Starting back up in verse 15 it says,

“15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”

Now the apostles’ reply is of utmost importance, in verse 18 it says,

“18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

Question:

When did the apostles learn that God had opened the door to the Gentiles?

Right here in Acts chapter 11.

Did the apostles have any intentions of going to the uncircumcised Gentiles before this?

No. None whatsoever. They were told to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This was something new to them. As far as they were concerned, the church was for Israel.

So what we see here is that something had changed. It changed from God giving salvation to Jew only, to now it is Jew and Gentile.

Did the apostles have any problem with Nicolas? NO.

Did the apostles have any problem with Cornelius. Yes. Why? Because he was uncircumcised.

But from the time the vision was given to Peter and Peter told the apostles, then it was OK for them to go to the Gentiles, not before.

Something Changed.

Let’s get back to Cornelius. In Acts 10 when Peter got to Cornelius’ house he said,

“29 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?”

Now this is really strange isn’t it? Peter asks, “Why did you call for me?”

Did Peter have intentions on going to Cornelius’s house and preach to them the gospel? No. He did not know why he was there. He was never told to preach the gospel to uncircumcised Gentles before, in fact he was told to avoid them.

But in the record in Acts 10 Cornelius said,

“30 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,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 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.

33 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.”

And the record in Acts 11 states,

“13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.”

So Peter had no intentions of preaching salvation unto them until Cornelius told him that God said Peter would tell them how to be saved. Then Peter knew that God opened the door unto the Gentiles.

Before this time, Peter and the apostles had no intentions whatsoever of going to the uncircumcised Gentiles.

Something Changed.

So Peter preaches Christ unto them, in Acts 10 it says,

“44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 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.”

Why were the circumcision astonished? Because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This was not supposed to happen. The Holy Ghost was promised to Israel, not the uncircumcised Gentiles.

Question:

Did it astonish the Jews when Nicolas received the Holy Ghost?

No, why should it? Nicolas kept covenant with God, he was partakers with Israel. But Cornelius was an uncircumcised man that did not keep covenant with God but yet he also receives the Holy Ghost. This is what amazed them, this was not supposed to happen.

Something Changed.

According to Peter’s doctrine, there were some requirements that needed to be done in order to receive the Holy Ghost. In Acts 2 it says,

“38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

So according to Peter’s doctrine, what did you have to do in order to receive the Holy Ghost?

Repent and be baptized.

And then what would you receive?

The Holy Ghost.

But this is not what happened to Cornelius. In Acts 10 it says,

“44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Which came first to Cornelius, receiving the Holy Ghost or his water baptism?

He received the Holy Ghost first. This is contrary to the doctrine of Peter.

What if Cornelius would have told Peter, “I don’t want to be water baptized.” Would Cornelius still be saved? Yes. Would Cornelius still have the Holy Ghost? Yes.

How did Cornelius receive the Holy Ghost? Was it by repentance and water baptism or was it by simple faith?

It was by faith.

In Galatians 3 Paul says,

“14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

How did Paul say that the Gentiles would receive the Spirit?

By faith.

How did Peter say that you would receive the Spirit?

By repentance and water baptism.

Now here is a really big question:

Did Paul’s doctrine apply to uncircumcised Cornelius or did Peter’s doctrine apply to uncircumcised Cornelius?

It was Paul’s doctrine that applied to Cornelius. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost by faith just as Paul said they would. Cornelius did not have to get water baptized in order to receive the Holy Ghost.

In Acts 15 Peter said,

“7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”

How did Peter say that the Gentiles hearts were purified? By FAITH.

So what we have is that God opened the door unto the uncircumcised Gentiles so that they could be saved. The apostle Paul said God did this by giving the one new man. In Ephesians 2 it says,

“11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

As we stated in earlier installments to “the Rule”, in the book of Acts, Luke never records where Peter, nor Paul teach that Christ died and paid for sins. But we saw through Peter and Paul’s epistles that they both taught that Christ died for sins.

We saw in Luke 24 where the Lord himself taught the apostles why he had to suffer and Peter said he suffered for sins.

We saw in 1st Corinthians 15 where Paul said that himself and the apostles were teaching that Christ died for sins.

We saw where Paul told the Corinthians that they were in the body of Christ and in the same book Paul said it didn’t matter whether it were himself or the apostles that preached to them as long as they believed.

So if Peter could preach to a Corinthian and they be put into the body of Christ, surely he could preach to Cornelius and he be put into the body of Christ also.

Now let’s take a different look at this situation. Suppose the Lord never gave the dispensation of grace to the Gentiles, suppose God never opened the doors unto the Gentiles, suppose the one new man was never given so that God could join the Gentiles with the Jews and the Gentiles could be partakers of the new covenant salvation with the Jews.

Let’s say Daniel’s 70th week started right after the 69th week was finished and there was no gap made by the dispensation of grace. Let’s look at this chart:

http://www.gracebiblestudy.net/images/Charts/Israel%27sNewCovenant1.jpg

What would have happened to Cornelius?

Because Cornelius feared God and blessed Israel, if he would have made it through the tribulation period he would have been one of those Gentiles in Matthew 25 that blessed Israel that the Lord called the sheep. As you know the goats were given eternal damnation but he allows the sheep to go into the kingdom.

On the chart, Cornelius would have been in the purple section. He could not be partaker with the blue section, the new covenant church which are the Jews.

Cornelius would have been allowed into the kingdom but he would not have been partakers with Israel in their new covenant as we discussed in the installment, “The Rule – Israel’s New Covenant.”

Cornelius would have made it into the kingdom but he would be ruled over with a rod of iron by the Lord Jesus Christ himself and the partakers of the new covenant, and yes, Nicolas would be one of them.

Cornelius would not be partakers with the Jews because of the uncircumcision of his flesh.

Therefore all the scriptures in “Israel’s New Covenant,” that we covered pertaining to the uncircumcised Gentiles during the kingdom would pertain to uncircumcised Cornelius such as Isaiah 52, which says,

“1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”

And if Cornelius was one of those uncircumcised Gentiles that lived after the new Jerusalem came down to earth then the scripture in Revelation 22 would apply to him,

“14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

He would have to keep the commandments of God so that he could get to the tree of life and live forever. This is not Israel’s new covenant. It is the salvation that God is giving to the people outside of the new Jerusalem. The salvation of the new covenant that Israel will be obtaining is quite different.

But this scenario for Cornelius will not be like this. Cornelius did become partakers with Israel and he will be partakers of their new covenant. He became partakers with Israel through the one new man, which God made so he could save the uncircumcised Gentiles with the new covenant salvation. He became circumcised with the circumcision made without hands.

Paul is very clear that the only way an uncircumcised Gentile could become partakers with Israel is through the one new man. This was the purpose of the one new man.

On this next chart:

http://www.gracebiblestudy.net/images/Charts/Israel%27sNewCovenant2.jpg

This chart shows that Cornelius was in the green section, the one new man. It is through the one new man that Cornelius became partakers with Israel in their covenants and promises. Cornelius became circumcised with the circumcision made without hands.

Paul said in Colossians 2,

“13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

The uncircumcision of the flesh of the Gentiles made them dead. This includes Cornelius.

Paul said in Ephesians 2,

“11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”

God made the one new man so that he could save and include the uncircumcised Gentiles with the Jews. This includes Cornelius.

In 1st Corinthians 12 Paul said,

“27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

And in Chapter 15 he said,

“11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”

Paul said it did not matter who preached the gospel to them whether it were himself or the apostles as long as they believed on Christ. This would include Cornelius.

According to the teachings of the apostle Paul, the only way an uncircumcised Gentile could be partaker with Israel is through the one new man, therefore Cornelius was in the one new man.

The conclusion to this matter on Cornelius:

Paul did not make up “The Rule”. Somebody else did. Paul’s teachings go against “The Rule”, therefore “The Rule” is flawed.