DISCOURSE: 1770
LIFE GRANTED TO THE GENTILES
Acts 11:18. Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
HERE we have an account of an event in which we all are deeply interested. The opening of the door of salvation to the Gentiles. Peter was the honoured instrument employed. “To him our blessed Lord had given the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” that he might open it both to Jews and Gentiles. To the Jews he had opened it, on the day of Pentecost: and now, after the lapse of six years, he opens it to the Gentiles also. In the words of my text we have,
I. The fact acknowledged—
A most remarkable fact it was. It was remarkable,
1. In its attendant circumstances—
[To enter fully into this subject, the preceding chapter, together with this, should be read throughout. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, a heathen, was favoured by Almighty God with a vision; and an angel was sent from heaven, to instruct him where to send for one who was enabled and authorized to preach unto him the way of salvation. The next morning, Peter also had a vision vouchsafed to him, in order to remove his scruples about going to a heathen. And, when he was musing upon the import of this vision, the servants of Cornelius arrived, having come a day’s journey to request a visit from him; and the Spirit of God expressly enjoined him to comply with their solicitations. Accordingly, he went: and, having been informed by Cornelius by what authority his presence had been desired, he preached the Gospel to him and to his friends: and the Holy Ghost descended on the whole company, in confirmation of the word delivered, and marked them out as proper subjects to be received into the Church by baptism. Accordingly, “Peter commanded them to be baptized:” and, after a few days abode with his new converts, left them, and went up to Jerusalem. Nor was the fact less remarkable,]
2. In its issue—
[A rumour of these events had already reached Jerusalem: and the Church there, with all the Apostles at their head, being filled with indignation against Peter “for going in to one that was uncircumcised, and eating with him,” demanded of him the reasons for so extraordinary a conduct. Upon this, he reported to them all that had occurred, both respecting the vision given to Cornelius, and that vouchsafed to himself; and particularly the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them all, precisely as on the Apostles themselves on the day of Pentecost. This convinced them, that what he had done was of Divine appointment; and that “God had to the Gentiles also, no less than to the Jews, granted repentance unto life.” The fact was now unquestionable; and they could not but acknowledge it.]
But, to enter into the true spirit of the words, we must notice in them,
II.
The surprise manifested—
The Apostles, even after an interval of six years, had no idea of the extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles—
[They had, by the law of Moses, been taught to regard the uncircumcised Gentiles as unclean, and to avoid all needless connexion with them. The whole ceremonial law was intended as a kind of partition wall between them and the Gentiles. And even the Lord Jesus Christ himself had declared, that “he was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel;” and that “he could not take the children’s bread, and cast it unto dogs,” which was deemed the proper appellation of the heathen. And when he had sent out his seventy Disciples, he gave them an especial commandment, “Into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.” How then could Peter, with any propriety, go to a heathen family, and take up his abode with them? True, the circumstances, which he had related, justified his procedure: but still it was unaccountable, that God should so vary his dispensations, after having confined his revelation to the descendants of Abraham for two thousand years, and left all the heathen world in darkness and in the shadow of death during the whole of that period.]
But now, to their utter amazement, the wall of partition between them and the Gentiles was thrown down—
[That it was so, admitted of no doubt. But still, the reasons of this dispensation they could not yet see. True, the Lord Jesus had said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” But they supposed this could only refer to the Jews, who were dispersed among the Gentiles, it never could refer to the Gentiles themselves. They could never be placed on a level with the descendants of Abraham; or be made to inherit the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant: they who were “strangers and foreigners could never be made fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God.” Yet so it was; and they could not contradict it: and therefore, in utter amazement, they cried, “Then hath God to the Gentiles also granted repentance unto life.” How it is, we know not; but that so it is, we are sure: since the account now given us has confirmed it, beyond a possibility of doubt.]
We see, however, yet further, in these words,
III.
The approbation expressed—
In this light, beyond a doubt, they are to be viewed—
[The prejudices, which had so long blinded their eyes, were now removed: and a new principle of love sprung up in their hearts; so that they could welcome the accession of the Gentiles to their community, and the participation of the whole heathen world in the privileges which they themselves had so long exclusively enjoyed. Hence we are told, that they not only “held their peace,” but “glorified God, saying, Then hath God to the Gentiles also granted repentance unto life.”]
And in what light should they be viewed by us?
[Cornelius himself was not more interested in this event than we. To this event we look, as the period from whence to date all our privileges. From this time the Gospel was freely preached to the Gentiles; from amongst whom thousands of converts were made, yea, and millions also, insomuch that, in a few years, the whole Roman empire was filled with them. From that time has the Gospel been transmitted, till it has come even unto us: and we enjoy all its privileges and its blessings, as much as our hearts can wish. With what joy and gratitude, then, should we exclaim, “To us Gentiles hath God granted repentance unto life!” Yes, in this event we should contemplate our own interests, as well as those of Cornelius; and should mark with our most distinguished approbation the mercy thus freely vouchsafed to the whole world.]
But we must not confine our views of this passage to the event which then took place. We must get it repeated in our own persons, and experienced in our own souls—
We need salvation no less than Cornelius and his company—
[Cornelius was of a most lovely character; and though not enlightened by the Gospel, was doubtless eminently distinguished by a preparatory work of God upon his soul, and admirably fitted for a reception of the Gospel by the grace of God [Note: Acts 10:2; Acts 10:4.]. Yet it was by the Gospel only that he was to be saved [Note: ver. 14.]; since, whatever preparatory attainments a man may have, “there is no name given under heaven whereby any man can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ.” Know then, brethren, all of you without exception, that ye must know Christ, before ye can be interested in his salvation — — —]
And this salvation ye must seek through God’s appointed ordinances—
[God has set apart an order of men on purpose to instruct the world. He could have communicated the knowledge of salvation to Cornelius, as easily as he could direct him where to find an authorized instructor. But he would rather accumulate vision upon vision, and miracle upon miracle, to honour his own appointed ordinances, than convey the knowledge of eternal life in the neglect of them. Accordingly, Cornelius sent a whole day’s journey to get instruction from Peter; and Peter went a whole day’s journey to impart it to one single family: from whence we learn, that no pains are to be spared, either in seeking or imparting divine knowledge; and that the more strictly we adhere to God’s appointed methods of obtaining it, the more confidently we may hope to succeed in our endeavours.]
But you must seek it with becoming humility—
[Behold the posture of Cornelius and his company: “Now are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God [Note: Acts 10:33.].” This is the state of mind in which you also, my brethren, are to come up to the house of God. You are not to come from mere form, or from curiosity; nor are you to come with a mind clouded by prejudices or prepossessions. You are to come with docile minds, ready to receive, as from God, all that God speaks to you by us, so far as it accords with his written word. You must come also with a determination, through grace, to embrace it all without gainsaying, and to obey it all without reserve.]
And we have the same instruction for you as was communicated by Peter to that assembly—
[We “preach peace to you by Jesus Christ [Note: Acts 10:36.];” and declare, that, as there is no reconciliation with God but through his atoning blood, so “all that believe in him shall be justified from all things.” In confirmation of this, we appeal to every part of the inspired volume, shewing, that “to Him give all the prophets witness, that, through the name of Christ, whosoever believeth in him shall receive the remission of sins [Note: Acts 10:43. with 13:38, 39.].”]
And to this will the Holy Spirit bear witness, as in the case before us—
[He will not, indeed, impart miraculous powers, as in that day; but he will give testimony to the truth that Christ is a Saviour, an all-sufficient Saviour, to all who call upon him [Note: Acts 10:44.]: he will seal it upon the heart, and will render it the means of comforting and sanctifying the souls of all who truly receive it.]
But we must “repent,” even as Cornelius and his associates did—
[Though “life” is not by repentance, but by Jesus Christ, there is no life to the impenitent. Life and repentance are never separated in the dispensations of God; nor can they be separated in our experience. Even though we have been as exemplary as ever Cornelius was, we are yet sinners; and must abase ourselves before God, as deserving of his wrath and indignation: and must “flee to Christ for refuge, as to the one hope that is set before us.”]
To God, however, we must look to vouchsafe us this gift—
[You cannot but see how it was “granted” to them, in every stage of its progress. The first intimation to Cornelius that he needed a Saviour, was given him in the vision; and the direction where to send for instruction was given by an angel of God; even the name of the person, and the town where he dwelt, and the very house where he lived. All the obstacles which were in the way were removed by the vision to Peter: and “the words were put into the mouth of Peter, whereby Cornelius and his house were to be saved [Note: ver. 14.]:” and the whole was applied by the Holy Spirit to their soul?. Thus, then, must you also look unto God, to instruct your minds, and to impress the truth with effectual energy upon your souls. Do but this, my brethren; and, as it was said with rapture by the Church at Jerusalem, “Behold, God hath unto the Gentiles granted repentance unto life!” so shall it now be said amongst the angels of God in heaven: “Behold, God hath to that assembly granted repentance unto life.” Yes, those benevolent beings, though in the very presence of God, “rejoice over one sinner that repenteth.” O that they may have joy over you, my brethren, this day! and may “God be glorified” in every one of you, to all eternity, for Christ’s sake! Amen, and Amen.]