Epiphany 1, when churches celebrate the Baptism of our Lord
by John in the river Jordan.
I am preaching at the 0800 service at St James' church, Westgate.
Acts 10:34-38a
"God sent His Word" (hRHMA not LOGOS; Hebrew DaBaR: not the Inscribed
Word, not the Incarnate Word, but the Articulate Word) to Israelites and
to Gentiles alike. It concerned Jesus as God (Lord of all), Jesus as Man
(of Nazareth) and Jesus as Messiah (anointed). What about this Word?
1. A RHEMA OF REVELATION FOR ALL 34-35
"No favourites" (34). There is no racial discrimination with God:
a. Cornelius was a Gentile. 10:1
He was a Roman centurion (company commander) of the Italian Cohort
(battalion); an officer of the garrison at Caesarea in Samaria, where
he attended the Synagogue and heard the reading of the Law the Prophets
and the Writings.
This brought him a Rhema of Revelation from the Old Testament.
b. Cornelius was a God-fearer. 10:2
He was a devout man and had heard about Jesus of Nazareth (37). He
fasted and prayed for further enlightenment (10:30-32 AV, following
the 3rd-century papyrus P45, Chester Beatty I).
This brought him a Rhema of Revelation from an Angel.
c. Cornelius was a Good-doer, not just a do-gooder.
He was commended for his prayers and his almsgiving. When the angel
told him what to do, he acted on it (10:3-8).
This brought him a Rhema of Revelation from an Apostle.
2. A RHEMA OF RECONCILIATION FOR ALL 36-37a
"Peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all nations" (36b). He is
the Peacemaker between God and man, and so between man and man:
a. God and sinners are reconciled.
Christ's sacrifice has paid the penalty for our sin, the cause of our
enmity with God. Cornelius got reconciled with God.
b. Jew and Gentile are reconciled.
He has slain the enmity by His cross (Ephesians 2:16). Peter got
reconciled with Cornelius.
3. A RHEMA OF RENEWAL FOR ALL 37b-38
John's baptism of Jesus proclaimed the gift of Holy Spirit Power:
a. Power to forgive sins.
The baptism of John was a baptism in water only, signifying repentance
and the washing away of sin. Christ stood in our place as a penitent,
identifying Himself with us sinners whom He came to save. Though our
"sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18);
washed in the blood of the Lamb.
b. Power to perform signs.
The baptism of Jesus is a baptism in water and in the Holy Spirit,
signifying a new birth and a new life. This became reality after
Pentecost: now we have received Power from on high, and can go about
"doing good and healing all that are oppressed of the devil" (38b)
as the Spirit leads us.
Cornelius received this Baptism in water (10:47-48) and in Holy Spirit
(10:44). Here is Power for the People of God to live the Life of God.
"Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed" (Acts 19:2)?
_________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
