Heavenly Father teaches us line upon line through revelation.
READ An Angel Instructed Cornelius …in Additional Resources (Acts 10:1–8).
-What did Cornelius do? (READ verse 7-8)
REVIEW Acts 10:9–33. The Lord chooses Peter to Introduce the Gospel to the Gentiles
This revelation regarding Gentile converts came to Peter because he was the chief Apostle of the day, and he held priesthood keys for the entire Church. Revelation for the entire Church is always given through proper channels.
-What was the vision that Peter saw?
-Could gentiles join the church prior to this vision?
-What was this vision in reference to?
-What was the change that ensued?
-What was his response?
-What did the Lord say to Peter?
READ Acts 10:15
-What did this verse mean? Did Peter understand fully?
-How many times was this repeated?
READ Acts 10:16
READ Acts 10:17
- How did Peter come to understand his vision meant?
READ Acts 10:19-23
Peter travels to meet with Cornelius and converses with him. As they meet, Cornelius tells Peter why he has been sent
READ Acts 10:33 (next page)
Acts 10:7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
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Acts 10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
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Acts 10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and ago with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was awarned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
30-NT SS Lesson July 17 - 23 Acts 10-15 “The Word of God Grew and Multiplied”
“God is no respecter of persons.”
READ verses 34-35
-What does it mean that God is no respecter of persons?
-How can the righteous be “accepted” and “favored” by God even though He is not a respecter of persons?
READ 1 Nephi 17:35
-What happens after Peter’s words?
READ Acts 10:44-48
READ The Difference between the Power of the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost…in Add’l Res
Peter still needed to return to Jerusalem and report the results of his vision and consequent actions. There was a resistant faction within the church that still believed that gentiles must first convert to Judaism before being acceptable to the church. When Peter informs the Apostles and brethren about what has happened, including how the Holy Ghost fell upon the uncircumcised gentiles, Luke concludes: “When they heard these things they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” (11:18)(Holzapfel and Waymont, “Making Sense of the NT,” 288)
REVIEW Acts 11:1-18…in Add’l Res
READ The Baptism of Cornelius…in Add’l Res
READ Gospel Blessings are extended to Gentiles…in Add’l Res
-Was the decision to accept gentiles as members a quick one?
READ Revelation is often incremental…in Add’l Res
-Why are revelations often incremental?
READ Elder David A. Bednar…in Add’l Res
-How does “line upon line,” and “precept upon precept,” work for you?
Acts 10:33 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.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
1 Nephi 17:35 Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
LAST WORD: This short but powerful lesson holds much for us to ponder. Revelation is communication from God to His children. This guidance comes through various channels according to the needs and circumstances of individuals, families, and the Church as a whole.
When the Lord reveals His will to the Church, He speaks through His prophet. The scriptures contain many such revelations—the word of the Lord through ancient and latter-day prophets. Today the Lord continues to guide the Church by revealing His will to His chosen servants.While there is much to learn by searching the scriptures and reading the words of former prophets, we are again reminded that the most important prophet for us is our current prophet. He alone speaks for the Lord to the church.
This point was made in the case of Cornelius and other gentiles who sought membership in the church. They were faithful, obedient servants of Christ who sought His blessings. The granting of these blessings came in stages, literally line upon line. Christ’s first instructions to His disciples were that they were to teach the children of Israel. With the Savior’s teachings following His crucifixion, they were then sent to all the world. At first gentiles were allowed to join the church, but first had to conform to the law of Moses, which in particular, meant circumcision. As work with the gentiles progressed it was obvious that requiring gentiles to first convert to Judaism and then to Christ was a step that wasn’t required. Peter took three directives from the Lord before he began to understand what he was being told, and then only after he witnessed the conversion of Cornelius and the descent of the Holy Ghost upon them. When he returned to Jerusalem he was faced by some dissent among his brethren, but when he recounted the events, including the granting of the Holy Ghost, the decision was made that gentiles could convert without doing so through the Law of Moses. These changes took time, and came about because Peter was the head of the church. He couldn’t read about it, nor could he cite the words of recent prophets. He received his knowledge, and direction, from God.
We see similarities between this and the granting of the Priesthood to all worthy males. Also, with the Proclamation on the Family. For these acts we needed a prophet to lead the way. These acts, though we can confirm their truthfulness, we cannot duplicate on our own. We are entitled to revelation, and it can bring great blessings in our lives and the lives of our families. We are only entitled to it within the sphere of our responsibilities. As a parent I do not receive revelation for your family, and as a parent you do not receive revelation for mine. Perhaps, in some ministering or administrative roles that we receive as callings this might be different. Otherwise, no.
Revelation is one of the gifts of the spirit. We can seek such gifts, indeed, we are encouraged to seek after them, but again, we must remember that Joseph Smith said, in effect, that the economy of Heaven required revelations to go to those to whom were entitled. Let us celebrate the presence of a prophet in our time, and at the same time seek revelation to receive or confirm the truths which we require to be better followers of that prophet and Christ.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
An Angel Instructed Cornelius: Cornelius was a Roman centurion living in Caesarea. He was a Gentile, who was described as being God-fearing, devout, generous, and prayerful. An angel appeared to Cornelius and instructed him to send for Peter, who was then in Joppa. This vision was the first of several events that would culminate in the gospel being preached to the Gentiles, whereas previously only Jews had been admitted into the Church.
Revelation Is Often Incremental Peter’s vision of the unclean animals illustrates the principle that revelation from God often comes incrementally or gradually (see Acts 10:17–34, 44–48). In this instance, Peter did not understand the vision when he first received it (see verse 17). As he pondered its meaning and acted in faith, events transpired that helped him gradually understand its meaning—that Gentiles were now to be accepted into the Church without prior conversion to Judaism.
Elder David A. Bednar likened such incremental revelation to the rising of the sun in the morning: “The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently ‘distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven’ (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare” (“The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign, May 2011, 88).
Gospel Benefits are extended to the Gentiles:Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught: “Early in the Book of Acts, we find the Apostles of Christ declaring the gospel message only to the Jews.… but now, in the Lord’s timetable, the tie had come for a change” (“Doctrine of Christ,” 87). …. Elder Christofferson taught further:”By this experience and revelation to Peter, the Lord modified the practice of the Church and revealed a more complete doctrinal understanding to His disciples. And so the preaching of the gospel expanded to encompass all mankind.” (Doctrine of Christ, 88)
Interestingly, “in this dispensation, some Church leaders believed the blacks would not receive the priesthood before the Millenium. Similarly, the prophets and Apostles at Jesus’ time did not fully comprehend some of the basic principles of the gospel or the Lord’s timetable, it wasn’t into; after g;propis reve;atopms were received that they completely understood….in this dispensation, some Church leaders spoke from limited understanding regarding when the priesthood would be given to the blacks.” (LeBaron, “Official Declaration 2,” 197)
The Difference between the Power of the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:44–48 records that the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius and others before they were baptized. The Bible Dictionary explains that “the Holy Ghost is manifested to men on the earth both as the power of the Holy Ghost and as the gift of the Holy Ghost. The power can come upon one before baptism and is the convincing witness that the gospel is true. By the power of the Holy Ghost a person receives a testimony of Jesus Christ and of His work and the work of His servants upon the earth. The gift can come only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands, as in Acts 8:12–25 and Moro. 2. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost” (Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost”).
Acts 11:1-18
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Baptism of Cornelius When Cornelius was baptized, it was the first time in the early Church that an uncircumcised Gentile was baptized into the Church. This event added a new dimension to the preaching of the gospel. Allowing Gentile converts to join the Church without prior conversion to Judaism was difficult for many of the members of the Church to accept; it signified a major shift in how the gospel was to be shared with God’s children. When the Lord had made His covenant with Abraham (which was signified by the rite of circumcision), the Lord had called it an “everlasting” covenant (Genesis 17:7). What the early Christians came to understand was the difference between the covenant of Abraham and the rite of circumcision. Although the covenant was everlasting, the ordinance by which one entered the covenant was no longer circumcision, but baptism. After Peter rehearsed to the Saints in Jerusalem all that had occurred in Caesarea, the members of the Church had a change of heart and declared, “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). (Institute Manual, Acts 11:1-18)
Elder David A. Bednar taught: “Many of us typically assume we will receive an answer or a prompting to our earnest prayers and pleadings. And we also frequently expect that such an answer or a prompting will come immediately and all at once. Thus, we tend to believe the Lord will give us a big answer quickly and all at one time. However, the pattern repeatedly described in the scriptures suggests we receive ‘line upon line, precept upon precept,’ or in other words, many small answers over a period of time. Recognizing and understanding this pattern is an important key to obtaining inspiration and help from the Holy Ghost” (“Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept,” New Era, Sept. 2010, 3–4).