Lesson 302 - Senior

Memory Verse

"There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him"  (Romans 10:12).

Cross References

I Peter's Visitations Among the Disciples

1. At Lydda, Peter was mightily used by God, [ACT:9:32-35]; [ACT:4:7-12]; [ACT:1:8]; [1PE:2:9].

2. At Joppa, Peter and the saints saw God's power manifested, [ACT:9:36-43]; [JHN:14:12-14]; [JHN:1:16].

II The Call of Peter to Joppa

1. Cornelius, a godly man, received an assuring message from God, [ACT:10:1-8]; [1TS:5:17]; [1JN:3:14], [1JN:3:7]; [ECC:12:13]; [MAT:19:21]; [MAT:22:36-40]; [PS:18:6]; [PS:34:17]; [MIC:7:7]; [DAN:10:1-12]; [LUK:1:13].

2. Peter, moved by God at the appropriate time, went to prayer, [ACT:10:9]; [ROM:8:26-27].

3. Peter saw a vision of great importance, which was not given to take the place of the Word of God but to reveal its message, [ACT:10:10-16]; [EPH:1:9-10]; [GEN:1:1-6]; [GEN:46:1-4]; [EZE:37:1-14]; [ACT:9:10]; [HEB:1:1-2]; [GAL:1:8-9].

4. Peter was quickly obedient to the message from God when it was confirmed to him in every way, [ACT:10:17-23]; [JHN:16:13]; [1JN:4:1]; [1TS:5:21]; [EPH:1:10].

Notes

In Peter's first epistle to the churches throughout Asia Minor -– churches founded by Paul the Apostle – he advised the elders of these groups to "feed the flock of God” and take the oversight thereof, "not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” [1PE:5:2-3]). And in the text of our lesson, we see Peter, in the earlier days of the Christian Church, doing that which he later write as advice to others.

Peter had been called by Christ to discipleship, appointed to Apostleship, and given opportunities for great insight into the dispensation-shaping events, which took place during Christ's life on earth. Peter saw Christ in His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. He saw miracles performed in his own family, as well as on the many who came to Jesus for healing and salvation. The Day of Pentecost saw Peter in the midst of the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, obeying the commission given him by Jesus. Peter had left that Upper Room with new, vital power in his spiritual being and he was being used to bring the message of salvation to many.

Eight years had passed since Pentecost. Peter was travelling, visiting the Churches and groups of believers, strengthening them, encouraging them, feeding them with spiritual food, and taking oversight of them. Since "the husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits” [2TM:2:6]), Peter was doing all this in the same spirit and manner which he later told the elders in Asia Minor was the right way. He was not doing his service for God as a lord "over God's heritage.” He was not seeking for "filthy lucre” as his reward or compensation. He had a "ready mind” and visited these people, not because of "constraint, but willingly.” He was an example to the flock and he knew that a reward would be given him when the "chief Shepherd” would appear. He then would "receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

The Honour Given Christ at Lydda

At the town of Lydda, a group of Christ's followers lived. Peter went to visit them. We do not know much about this small group, for only a very little has been written about them in the Scriptures. But they were called saints. And we know that the faith they possessed, as well as the faith that surged in the breast of the Apostle Peter, was strengthened by the fellowship that resulted from his visit.

Lydda was situated in the seacoast area known as Saron, or Sharon, and apparently there was a certain influence exerted over the inhabitants of this particular area by the saints of Lydda, for the news of the miracle that was performed there spread and reached even to Joppa. The influence of the Holy Spirit was felt even as far as Cæsarea, about 30 miles from Joppa, and possibly more than 40 miles from Lydda, for the ever-faithful Spirit of God Himself carried that influence over that area which apparently had not been previously visited by these men of God.

Peter found a man in Lydda who had been bedfast for eight years from palsy. There was, in the heart of this man, Æneas, the necessary spiritual hunger and desire that brought the Spirit-directed Apostle to his bedside. There was also the necessary faith in the heart of Æneas that prompted him to obey the command of the Apostle to arise from his bed.

It takes spiritual desire and hunger in the heart of an individual to cause the Holy Spirit to direct the Gospel message and blessings to that heart. That quality is found in heathen hearts as a longing for something they cannot describe, something that is not to be found in their inherited worship of idols, or in their lives of superstition and misery.

That spiritual desire in the heart of Abraham caused him to respond to the call of God. Others in the land of Ur were not sensitive to the voice of the Spirit, but Abraham heard it and obeyed. So it has been in all the ages of this world's history, and it is positively the same today. The spiritually hungry are led to the Fount of all blessing. Those whose eyes are set on "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” [HEB:11:10]), will be brought to that city by the God who is no respecter of persons.

The people of Lydda and the plains of Sharon saw a miracle because of the faith of Æneas and the faithfulness of Peter. Peter directed the attention of all to Jesus, taking no glory to himself. "Jesus Christ maketh thee whole,” was the announcement that was made to the ailing man; and because of Peter's honour of Christ in all that he did, the whole city was stirred "and turned to the Lord.” The people of the city did not turn to Peter. They did not see him as a great individual possessing supernatural powers or gifts. They were turned to the Lord, and in Him they found salvation; for it is through His name, and through faith in His name that salvation is given and divine healing is performed.

Nowhere in the sacred account do we find a true man of God directing the attention of those under his influence away from God, His Son Jesus Christ, or the faithful Holy Spirit. All men of God see themselves as nothing but instruments to be used by God. They see God as the performer of the miracle, the saver of the soul, and the sustainer of the spirit of man. When glory is taken by man and not given to God, the Holy Spirit no longer works through that man. Pride in the heart will surely and completely stop the God of Heaven from working as He would work if the honour and glory for His workings were directed to the proper place. This is God's way. There is no other way. And how wonderful is that way!

The Honour Given Christ at Joppa

The news of the miracle and subsequent revival at Lydda spread to Joppa, about 12 miles away. Joppa was, and is today, a seacoast town where, no doubt, there were both poverty and wealth among its cosmopolitan inhabitants. But there in that thriving city we find another group of believers.

One of the disciples in Joppa was stricken with a fatal illness; and in spite of the best efforts to help her, she died. Dorcas had occupied a very important place in the disciples' fellowship. She was filled with good works as well as good grace. She was a disciple and she was not careless of her responsibilities toward God and man. Her fingers were busy helping others who were less fortunate than she. The needy widows were among her benefactors. She exhibited the true spirit of the people of God who have the love of God in them and who do not forget the physical and temporal needs of their brethren. (Read [1JN:3:16-18].) But Dorcas passed from among them, and they saw how greatly they were going to miss her ministrations to them. They sent for Peter, knowing that God was with him and, no doubt, hoping that in some way he could pray for them and that perhaps God would have mercy on them in their time of great loss.

God is ever mindful of those who are bereaved. He looks down in mercy and pity on all His people, and comfort those who sorrow, and sustains them in their time of need. Jesus saw the tears of the widow of Nain and restored her son to her. He comforted Mary and Martha and then raised their brother from the grave. The Prophet of God, Elijah, saw the anguish in the face of the woman of the house where he stayed, and he prayed that God would restore life to her young son. Elisha, also, saw the sorrow, and the faith in the Shunammite mother; and through the prayer of faith that mother's son also was restored to life.

God had a plan and purpose in every one of these incidents. Beyond the obvious comfort and encouragement that was given to each one of the bereaved, through the resurrection of the loved one, there was a particularly thing accomplished by God for His cause through each such manifestation of His power. The deity of Christ was established, and His power over death demonstrated, in the incidents when He restored life to those who were dead. Elijah and Elisha were both men of God in a nation of idolaters and God-rejecters. God was dealing with Israel, attempting to bring them back to Himself, and He chose to use thee means to show His power and show who was His Prophet, that His message might be received by Israel. Dorcas was raised from the dead for an obvious purpose, and a work was accomplished for God through it that would not always be the case if others were brought back to life again. We are told that, "it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.” Here, God raised His disciple that He might receive honour and glory and that, men and women might be saved.

But, unfortunately, the depraved hearts of men will not always respond to the workings of the Spirit of God, even in miracles of this magnitude. The rich man in hell was told, concerning his brothers: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” [LUK:16:31]). God performed a miracle where it would further His cause, and he is able to do the same today, and will do so when and where it will bring the desired results.

Peter's Call to Joppa

The universality of God's call is shown once again in the account of Cornelius, a centurion of a choice band of soldiers at Caesarea. Philip, the evangelist, lived in this city for many years after meeting the Ethiopian eunuch in the desert southwest of Jerusalem. Philip was one of the seven deacons who were chosen to assist the Apostles in the work of the early Church [ACT:6:5]; [ACT:8:40]; [ACT:21:8]). There is no doubt but that his godly influence was felt in that city even if he was not personally known to all who lived there, and that the Holy Spirit had begun His work in the heart of even this Gentile soldier.

Cornelius feared God and prayed to God always. He was always in the spirit of prayer and frequently in the act of prayer. He was a devout man and was "of good report among all the nation of the Jews.” His almsgiving was in the proper manner, as were his prayers, for they had ascended "for a memorial before God.” God never established memorials to hypocrisy or insincerity. Therefore we know that this man was godly. We will see in a future lesson how he was baptized with the Holy Ghost; and in a still later chapter we can read that this godly man was justified and sanctified previous to the time of Peter's visit to his house. (Read [ACT:15:7-9].)

The means God used to bring Peter to the home of this godly soldier are certainly instructive to us all. God prepares the hungry heart for the reception of His Word; then He prepares the person who is to carry the Word to that individual. At the same time, God will be preparing the way; and will be doing so in such a manner that when it is His time, all things will be supplied and all things will be in order for the carrying out of His will. If men and women could only learn to subject themselves to the perfect will of God and await God's time in all things, they would see the fulfilment of their spiritual desires in much less time.

Many people have prayed desperately and long for the salvation of loved ones, or for sinners under their influence, and then have spoiled the very thing they so earnestly desired to see accomplished by rushing ahead of God and stopping all that He was doing for the welfare of the ones who were so near to salvation. How much more would be accomplished for God if we would let Him have His way and let Him work as He, in His infinite wisdom, sees is best for us.

God prepared Cornelius in every way for the light that He was soon to give him. Cornelius had spiritual hunger and had been praying diligently for more of God's love and grace. How much he knew from observation we do not know, but we know that he was a sanctified man and that his spiritual eye had caught a glimpse of blessings in store for him, which were even greater than justification and entire sanctification. He actually was hungering for the Promise of the Father, the Comforter, and God was preparing the way for him to receive that great blessing.

But God had to prepare His instrument for this important mission a well as prepare the man, Cornelius. How wonderful that in Peter God had an instrument whom He could prepare for this important spiritual mission. How many are qualified with certain natural gifts who fail to do exploits for God because they are not willing to be prepared by God in spiritual abilities that are necessary for the carrying out of God's will concerning them. Peter was no longer impetuous to the degree that prevented God from working out His purpose in him. He was no teachable and willing to follow the command of the Lord.

God spoke to Peter in a remarkable way, showing him a vision that was made fully clear to him when the men arrived from Cornelius. Through the vision, Peter saw the universality of God's call. Peter clearly saw, for the first time, that salvation was not to be reserved to the chosen nation alone but that "God is no respecter of persons” and that "in every nation he that feareth him [God], and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” [ACT:10:34-35]).

Peter did not hesitate to obey God; for he knew that where God has begun a work, the end is sure; where God makes the way, the destination will be reached; and where God is calling, there is to be found a hungry heart that is reaching out for the message of the Gospel. In a future lesson we shall learn how God carried out His plan to call the Gentiles to Himself, and thus brought the Gospel to the whole world through the work of the early Church in those years immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Questions

1. Describe the locations of Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea and their approximate distances from each other and from Jerusalem.

2. How was the name of Jesus Christ honoured at Lydda?

3. How was the name of Jesus Christ honoured in the circle of disciples at Joppa?

4. How do we know that Dorcas was a Christian?

5. Who did Peter say performed these miracles?

6. What were the results in Lydda and Joppa of the miracles performed?

7. What great evangelist lived in Caesarea? Name some of the things that took place in the life of this evangelist.

8. Tell how we know that Cornelius was a godly man.

9. Tell how God prepared Peter for the work He had for him in Caesarea.

10. When Cornelius sent the messengers to Joppa, he included in that number a devout soldier. What does this indicate as to the habits and character of Cornelius?