Are You The Man Of God?

Do you know someone who you consider a true man of God? Or for that matter a true woman of God?  Peter the Apostle became such a man, one that God used effectively in the early church.

Most of us (because we are Gentiles) can be thankful for the obedience of both Peter and Cornelius. Through them, the Lord brought the Jews and the Gentiles together in Christ.

Cornelius, a man of prayer heard from God as did Peter while he was praying. Today’s verse is a part of the conversation these two men had after Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home.

So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” Acts 10:33 

Things were happening rapidly for this infant church. Ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven He sent the promised Holy Spirit. The church’s numbers grew to 3,000 then to 5,000 people.

In Acts 8, the Lord included the Samaritans in the church. Then Saul the biggest persecutor of Christians at that time miraculously got saved. Thus he became a mighty man used by God.

During the church’s initial growth spurt the Lord was ready to include the Gentiles. A separation though, existed between the Jews and the Gentiles making that task seem impossible.

God revealed to Peter in a dream that He could cleanse anyone, even a man in Joppa. You can read more about that story in a related post called, Do You Obey God The First Time He Speaks?

God Always Prepares Us

God will always prepare any man or woman for what He calls them to do. He prepared Peter to go to a place that his heritage forbid him to go to in the past.

Cornelius on the other hand didn’t know how to receive Peter into his house. But he knew God had sent this Jewish man to him. So he took the low road by doing the following.

As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!”  Acts 10:25-26

Often times we get nervous when we know God has called us to speak on His behalf. But after seeing the reaction of Cornelius, it’s obvious that he also was nervous to receive Peter’s message.

After Cornelius welcomed the apostle into his home, he invited him to speak to them. Peter, the man God chose for the hour, began with these words.

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. Acts 10:34-35

Confirmation for the Man of God

God confirmed this assignment for Peter by revealing His will to him in a dream. After Peter got to Joppa, he knew exactly what to say when Cornelius asked to speak.

This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36

Yes, the Good News began with Israel, but Jesus came to be “Lord of all,” showing no favoritism. Peter continued by sharing the simple message of salvation accomplished by Jesus.

And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Acts 10:39-40

Acts 8 tells us that Peter witnessed the revival that broke out among the Samaritans. Now God used this same man to minister salvation to the Gentiles, people the Jews considered heathens.

When the disciples walked with the Lord they ministered mainly to the Jewish people. But the mandate Jesus gave before ascending to heaven was unfolding before their eyes.

And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Sometimes we feel that everywhere is only as far as we can see. And everyone includes only those in our circle of influence.

But the Lord took Peter and those with him well out of their comfort zone. Peter acknowledged that when Jesus referred to “everywhere,” He meant “everywhere.”

And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. Acts 10:42

God has a Call on Every Man and Woman

God has given every godly man and woman the same mandate as He gave the apostles of Jesus. We must take the Good News to the ends of the earth starting in our own neighborhoods.

Just like the prophets of old, we too must testify about the one who forgives our sins. The one who gives us abundant life now and eternal life forever.

He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Acts 10:43

God did a wonderful thing for Peter the man of God, and for Cornelius and his family. He confirmed the ministry of Peter, plus He confirmed the salvation of all the Gentiles in the house.

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. Acts 10:44-45

The Same Evidence for Both the Jews and Gentiles

On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell, with evidence on the 120 Jewish believers in the upper room. The same evidence happened in Joppa for the believing Gentiles also.

For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Acts 10:46

Lord, you honored Peter, a true man of God who stepped out in faith to fulfill your will. It is also our desire to walk by faith to be the man or woman of God you have called us to be.

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