“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43
There are many that believe that one can live a good, honest life, doing good, and their good deeds will allow them entrance into heaven. Yet the Bible teaches contrary. Jesus declared there is only one way. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). One must receive Christ, for good deeds will not allow one to go to heaven, where Jesus’ Father is. There is a great example of this truth found in the book of Acts.
We are introduced to a man named Cornelius. Read how this man is described. “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2). Devout means “one who reverences aright, shows piety (a profound reverence, love and obedience toward God, often shown through prayer, worship and faithful service) toward God.” He was a very religious man. However, religion will not allow one to go to heaven. Cornelius appeared to be close, but close does not count. Yet it does appear that Cornelius was doing all that he knew to do in order to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). He lacked saving faith, but Cornelius was diligently seeking after God. Because of this, we can recognize God’s intervention. In the case of Cornelius, God sent him an angel with a message. “And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). God heard the prayer of Cornelius, seeking after God. Notice that the angel did not deliver the means of salvation to Cornelius. The angel only gave a message to send for a man named Peter. “He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:6). Peter would tell Cornelius what he needed to do. It is always interesting to note that angels are not given the job of delivering the plan of salvation. Angels deliver messages, but God has given Believers the privilege of sharing the Gospel Message with the unsaved.
Although there is much relevance to the salvation of Cornelius, recognize that although he was a good religious man, that was not enough. When he sent for Peter, Peter came to tell Cornelius what he must do. While Cornelius was waiting for Peter to come, he gathered his kinsmen and near friends to hear this special message (see Acts 10:24, 33). Peter then preached Jesus to Cornelius (see Acts 10:34-43). “To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). When one believes in Jesus, immediately he receives remission of sins. Remission means “forgiveness; to release sins from the sinner. This required Christ’s sacrifice as punishment of sin, hence the putting away of sin and the deliverance of the sinner from the power of sin although not from the presence of sin. That will come later after the resurrection when our very bodies will be redeemed (see Romans 8:23).” A special thing to notice in the salvation of Cornelius, and his family and friends: immediately when they believed in their hearts (even while Peter was still preaching), they were saved. God knew that in their hearts, they each believed by faith, Jesus, and they immediately received salvation. They proceeded to magnify God and showed what had happened in their hearts through the act of baptism (see Acts 10:46-48).
Yes, there is much more to the importance of the salvation of Cornelius, and his family and friends. Nevertheless, it is imperative to recognize that when Cornelius was trying his best to please God, seeking after Him, he learned that it was not enough. However, God sent one to tell him what must be done to be received by God. When Cornelius and his friends and family heard what they were lacking (faith in Jesus), once they believed in their hearts, immediately God accepted them. They had not known what to do until Peter taught them of Jesus and remission of sins (see Acts 10:43). People today, must understand that being good or religious is just not enough. Everyone needs to know what it takes to be truly saved. Just as Peter told Cornelius what to do, this is each Believer’s job today: share the Gospel Message of Jesus and the necessity of remission (forgiveness of sins).
Do you know what it takes to be saved?
If you do, understand the importance of sharing the Gospel Message of salvation only by faith in Jesus?