Acts 10:33 says, “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.”
The account of Peter and Cornelius and their visions is a very important event in the early church. In verse 45 of Chapter 10, and Chapter 11, verse 18, we see the Jewish Christians coming to realize that the Holy Ghost is also poured out on the Gentiles. What I would like us to look at is how quickly this all took place.
In the book, Ben Snipes, Northwest Cattle King, by Roscoe Sheller, a book which, to my understanding, was required reading for high school Northwest history classes at one time, a famous ride of Ben Snipes is recorded. Ben was in the Dalles when he got the news that his herd of steers at Lake Osoyoos was being tormented by an infestation of mosquitoes. He got on one of his horses, “Baldy,” and rode all the way across the Territory of Washington—two hundred and eighty miles—swimming the Columbia River twice, in sixty-two hours. The next morning he was able, with the help of Indians, to drive his herd into British Columbia, away from the mosquitoes.
There are times when quick action is needed. Today we don’t have time to waste. Our nation is on a downhill slide. The whole world is in trouble. The day of salvation will be over. We must reach out to lost souls with the Gospel in these last hours.
God used two visions and obedient men to begin His plan for the Jews and Gentiles to worship God in unity. His plan was always to bless all nations. The first vision was given to Cornelius, a Gentile who feared God, gave alms, and was always praying to God. He lived in Caesarea, about 32 miles from Joppa, which was a 14-hour journey on foot. In the vision, an angel told Cornelius to send for Peter, who was staying in Joppa, to come and tell him what he should do. This vision happened at about 3:00 in the afternoon. By the next day at noon, the men sent by Cornelius were standing before the gate where Peter was. In 21 hours they had been instructed to go, had very little sleep, walked 14 hours, inquired where Simon the tanner lived, and arrived just at the time that Peter was having his vision.
Peter’s vision, where he was to eat the unclean animals, happened at noon. He was told to go with the Gentiles because they were sent by God. The men were there at the gate–on time—for Peter to receive them. He gave the tired men a night’s lodging. The next day, they made the 14-hour journey to Caesarea. The following day they met with Cornelius who was waiting for them with his family and friends. He had faith that Peter would soon be there, and had a crowd together. It had only been four days since the visions had started. When Cornelius said, “…and thou hast well done that thou art come,” he certainly realized how quickly all things worked out. It was a good thing, because Peter had only spoken a short time when the Holy Ghost fell upon them all.
I knew an elderly man who I had talked to about his swearing. He claimed to be a Christian. On his death bed he had called for me. It took him almost a week to die. When I arrived he was unresponsive. I prayed with him about his soul. I left and he died within a half hour. He was hanging on to make things right with God.Â
The day of salvation is ending. We must not tarry. It is time for immediate action!
