Acts 10 – 11:18
- Salvation is by grace through faith. Cornelius was God-fearing and righteous but still needed to receive forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. (Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8-9)
- God desires that all would repent, believe and receive eternal life. This desire is for both Jew and Gentile. (Acts 11:18, 2 Peter 3:9)
- True repentance leads unto life, not to false concepts of repentance (Acts 11:18)
- Mere conviction (Acts 24:25)
- Worldly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10)
- Trying to do better, self-righteousness (Isaiah 64:6)
- Being religious outwardly (Matthew 3:7-12, Matthew 5:20)
- Only belief, mental acceptance of ideas (James 2:19)
- Baptism represents a covenantal identification with Jesus. Cornelius already feared God. He and his family were baptized because they were now publicly entering a covenant with God through faith in Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-27)
- Possible applications
- If you believe in God but do not follow Jesus and Lord and Savior, repent of your sins and put your faith in Christ
- If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, be publicly baptized as a sign and public witness of your covenantal relationship with Christ
- Reflect on whether there are any ways in which you have accepted false concepts of repentance
- Ask God to show you who he wants you to share the good news of Jesus with