THERE'S NO "PLAN B"
In Acts 10:1-33, we are introduced to a soldier in Caesarea named Cornelius, a devout man who feared God with his entire household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About nine in the morning he saw a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius! Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do."
Cornelius was like so many devout Catholics, Mormons, and denominational people that we see today who fear God, pray, and give to the poor and have good families, but are not born-again.
In verse 4, we see how God sees them praying and hears their concern for the poor. Cornelius is like many people today who want God, but do not know how to connect with Him, so they do those things that get His attention. God did not forget them and sent an angel to his house and called him by name.
Notice the angel could not bring Cornelius to Christ. Only the redeemed can do this. The angel could not reach in his pocket and pull out a Four Spiritual Laws tract and give it to him, but he could give him a man’s address. God needed to get a man there.
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After the angel spoke to him, Cornelius called some of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually and explained all these things to them and sent them to Joppa.
They went to where Peter was staying and explained that an angel had given them his address. The next day Peter and some brethren from Joppa went with them to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius, who was waiting for him with all his relatives and close friends.
Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."
- Cornelius had been fasting and praying and God saw it. One man’s faith benefited his entire family.
- Ever wonder if there are prayers you have said, but have forgotten. God doesn’t forget.
- God could hardly wait for Peter to finish his sermon. As soon as enough of the Gospel had been shared, He gushed, pouring every blessing of heaven upon them.
- This was His will in heaven all along, but He needed a man on the premises.
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SAUL ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS
Another example of this can be found in Acts 9:3-19, as we see Saul making his way to Damascus, when he was suddenly arrested by a light from heaven that shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"
The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Then Saul arose from the ground and was led by the hand into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, or food or drink.
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord spoke in a vision, calling him by name: "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
The Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."
Ananias protested saying, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake."
So Ananias went and entered the house were Saul was staying and laid his hands on him he saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
In the same testimony, told in Acts 22:16, Ananias said, “`And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”
Immediately, there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Then Saul continued some days with the disciples at Damascus.
This is very interesting in light of the meekness of God. Why didn’t the Lord go further with Saul on the road to Damascus? Why didn’t Jesus cause him to be born-again right then and there? Jesus told Saul, "Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.” (Acts 22:10)
Why did He need to involve Ananias? The fact is, Jesus couldn’t lead him to Christ, so to speak. He needed a man to help Him in the process.
