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Ministry of Peter
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successors of Peter require kings and emperors to bow at their feet,
but Peter himself claimed to be only an erring and fallible man.
Peter spoke with Cornelius and those assembled in his house,
concerning the custom of the Jews; that it was considered unlawful
for them to mingle socially with Gentiles, and involved ceremonial
defilement. It was not prohibited by the law of God, but the tradition
of men had made it a binding custom. Said he, “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
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should not call any man common or unclean. 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.”
Cornelius thereupon related his experience, and the words of
the angel that had appeared to him in vision. In conclusion he said,
“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. 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.” Although God had favored
the Jews above all other nations, yet if they rejected light and did not
live up to their profession, they were no more exalted in His esteem
than other nations. Those among the Gentiles who, like Cornelius,
feared God, and worked righteousness, living up to what light they
had, were kindly regarded by God, and their sincere service was
accepted.
But the faith and righteousness of Cornelius could not be perfect
without a knowledge of Christ; therefore God sent that light and
knowledge to him for the further development of his righteous char-
acter. Many refuse to receive the light which the providence of God
sends them, and, as an excuse for so doing, quote the words of Peter
to Cornelius and his friends: “But in every nation he that feareth
Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” They main-
tain that it is of no consequence what men believe, so long as their
works are good. Such ones are wrong; faith must unite with their
works. They should advance with the light that is given them. If
God brings them in connection with His servants who have received
new truth, substantiated by the Word of God, they should accept it
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