Acts chapter 10 records the story of how God “touched the heart” of Simon Peter, the archetypical Jew, and “turned” it toward the Gentiles.

This chapter also delineates the conversion of the archetypical Gentile (a Roman soldier named Cornelius) to Jesus Christ as personal Saviour!

But it all begins with Cornelius “wanting” to hear more about Jesus!

Then after some stern (divine) persuasion, Peter reluctantly went from Joppa (on the Mediterranean coast) to Caesarea (also on the coast, but 33 miles to the north) to speak to Cornelius.

And this is what the Apostle Peter told the seeking sinner: “Through his name (Jesus’ Name) whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43!

Acts 11:14 adds that Peter further told Cornelius, a direct quote: “Words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.”

Wow!

Acts 11:17 further (and gloriously) avers that Cornelius and his household “Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Even more amazing …

As the news spread of a such a heathen Gentile being born-again, even some of the staunch Jews responded: “They held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18

Today’s Lesson therefore concludes, Biblically, there is only one way to be saved! And this applies to everyone!

Not by works, but via simple faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God, His finished Word on the Cross of Calvary!

Paul (also a Jew) put it this way, guided by the Holy Spirit, talking to another Gentile by the way … “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:13

More fully: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

That’s what Cornelius did. That’s what every sinner must do! That’s what I did! How about you, dear friend?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jesus agrees in John 5:24, perhaps my favorite Salvation verse in all the Bible. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Amen!

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