the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 10:25-48
God uses different ways to bring souls to a knowledge of Himself. The conversion of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:1-40), that of Saul (Acts 9:1-43) and that of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) are not alike. In these three men we can recognize the descendants of the three sons of Noah: Ham, the African and Asian races; Shem, Israel and certain oriental people; and Japheth, the nations of the North and West. "Whosoever believeth" in Jesus Christ "shall receive remission of sins": such is henceforth the universal message addressed to every tribe and tongue and people and nation (v. 43; Revelation 5:9). In the person of Cornelius, those "which were afar off" now hear in their turn the good news of "peace by Jesus Christ" (v. 36; Acts 2:39; Ephesians 2:17).
These are glorious visitors indeed for this once pagan house: an angel (v. 3); Peter and the brethren who accompany him, bearers of the message of the Gospel; finally and above all, the Holy Spirit who comes to seal these new converts, giving evidence of their faith and their worth as children of God. How could the gift of God’s grace not be recognized by this public sign? Peter could not but agree to Christian baptism (v. 48).
