The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 45 God Prepared Many Hearts to Hear His Word!

Luke introduced a certain Roman centurion named Cornelius. He was a "God-fearer" and an angel of God appeared to him in a vision. 

Cornelius obeyed the instruction he was given and speedily sent trusted men to Joppa, to find the apostle Peter.

Meanwhile, the Spirit of God prepared the heart of Peter with a sign of unclean animals being dropped down from heaven. 

Peter was told to rise up, kill the animals and then eat them. This sign was repeated three times to emphasize that a change in gospel ministry was eminent. 

The Spirit of God told Peter that unclean animals cleansed by God were no longer unclean. This is a beautiful picture of the gospel reaching the Gentiles, instead of bring preached to only the Jewish nation.

Peter finds a crowd of eager people waiting for him.

Acts 10:23-24  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24) And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 

Peter had the messengers from Cornelius stay over night and then they all set forth for Caesarea. The following day they reached the city and found that Cornelius was eagerly waiting for their arrival.

Cornelius was a good man and he called all of his family and close friends to meet at his home to hear Peter preach. God had prepared many Gentile hearts for this moment.

Cornelius was overcome that God answered his prayers.

Acts 10:25-26  And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26) But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 

Cornelius was so eager to hear the gospel that when Peter came into his home, he fell down to worship the apostle. Peter immediately lifted Cornelius us and made sure he knew that he too, was a mere man. 

In the East this was a way of showing respect not only to kings, but to others occupying a superior station. However  among the Greeks and Romans, this custom was reserved for the pagan gods. This is why Peter refused to accept worship--he knew that only the Lord Jesus Christ was worthy of worship.

Peter told how God said he should not call any person unclean. 

Acts 10:27-29  And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 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. 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? 

At this juncture, Peter looked around in astonishment after seeing how many people came to Cornelius' home to hear truth from the apostle.

Peter also made sure they understood that he was breaking Jewish law by keeping company with non Jewish people. He told them how the God of Glory showed him that he should not view any person as being unclean.  

Peter got to the point by telling them that he came as soon as possible and wanted to know why they called him. 

Cornelius told Peter what God did in his life.

Acts 10:30-33  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.

In response to Peter's question, Cornelius retells his visit by the angel from God. He gave all the specific details and did not omit or embellish his account of the heavenly visitation. 

Cornelius was a man with great authority and he recognized good service when he saw it. Thus, he commended Peter for coming to him so quickly.

Notice how well the Spirit of God had prepared the heart of Cornelius to receive the gospel. All the people came together for this express purpose: to hear all things Peter was commanded by God to tell them.

Every Pastor, Parishioner and Parent would love to have people come to church or gather in their homes and ask them to give the gospel to them. What a glorious reception with the seed of the gospel landing in the good ground and bearing much fruit.

God alone prepares hearts to receive the gospel.

Proverbs 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 

This text reminds us that the great work of turning human hearts away from self and sin and toward holy God, is the mighty work of God.

The stony, rebellious heart must be broken up.

Hosea 10:12  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

The hard, stony soil in our heart, here called fallow ground, must be broken up before the seed of the Word of God can be planted and take root in us. 

The Spirit of God works in human hearts to make good ground.

Matthew 13:8,9  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9) Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Seed that fell into good ground brings forth a harvest, with increases ranging from one hundred times greater to thirty times greater.

Seed falling into good ground is productive for the kingdom. 

Matthew 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

Jehovah prepares our hearts by plowing up the fallow, stony, dead ground in our heart. He is cultivating our soul so that the ground of our heart is plowed, harrowed and disked, broken up into soft soil. 

Jesus taught the parable of the seed and the sower. Four different types of soil correspond to four different responses of the human heart to hearing the scriptures. Three of the four soil's are bad and there is no conversion to Christ.

However, the "good ground" has been worked on by the Spirit of God. He brings the plow, harrow and disk of Divine truth upon the bad ground in order to make is arable, productive farmland. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Cornelius, his family and close friends are "good ground", prepared by the Spirit and ready to receive the Word of Truth. They will become fruit producing Christians for the kingdom of God. 

God makes sure we are tender and ready to respond when we hear the Word of God. 

He turns the hearts of kings in the direction that He desires so that His will is accomplished (Proverbs 21:1). 

He used John the Baptist to turn the hearts of many to the Lord their God so that they might be ready for their Messiah (Luke 1:16-17). 

He opens eyes and turns people from the darkness of sin's degradation toward the glorious light of Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18). 

We must keep praying for God to break up the fallow ground in the hearts of our loved ones who do not seem receptive to the gospel. 

We must keep sharing the Word of God with all people and never give up on them. 

We must ask our Great God to keep our own hearts tender before Him, that we might be His joyful and blessed and willing servants. 

May God richly bless His scriptures as they go forth here and from us as we witness for Christ. 

Bob