The Lord’s Work – Part 39
#3:
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.
There is a lot going on here in Acts 10, and if not rightly divided, the false prophets will use people’s confusion to teach their lies: their works salvation.
The Apostle Peter says this in response to realizing that the Lord has sent him to preach the gospel to a Gentile; that salvation is now being sent to the unclean, uncircumcised Gentiles.
While it is not a direct statement that any specific historical human “worketh righteousness”, it does seem to indicate that Cornelius meets the qualification of the statement: that he “worketh righteousness”. And honestly, it would be unfair to say that he doesn’t. We need to understand what is written, not dance around it. But also, certainly not jump to conclusions that contradict Scriptural salvation doctrine.
There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). There is none that doeth good no not one (Romans 3:12). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28). Righteousness is imputed to us, without works (Romans 4:6). We are saved not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5), but through faith in his blood (Romans 3:25). Our sins are removed by the righteousness of God (Romans 3:25). Not the righteousness which is of the law, the righteousness of God which is by faith (Philippians 3:9). We are justified by faith (Romans 5:1), but no man is justified by the law in the sight of God (Galatians 3:11). And if any man trusts to, or includes his own works, then Christ is become of no effect to him, and he is fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4, Romans 11:6).
This is Christian Church age salvation doctrine. We have to believe these things, hold them fast, and not let this foundation be shaken or destroyed just because one, singular, individual, (only 1), alone, with no 2nd witness of a man other than Cornelius in the flesh that “worketh righteousness” – just because this one “difficult” verse is used by false prophets to blind men, to put them in bondage, and corrupt the work of God.
Jesus said that they “strain at a nat and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).
So in what way were Cornelius’ works involved to make him “accepted” with God?
Acts 10:1-6 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 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. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Well what oughtest Cornelius to do? Some works? Well if Peter could say that Cornelius “worketh righteousness”, then hadn’t he already done works? If he could be saved by works, if he were already righteous, then why would he oughtest to do anything else?
What ought he to do? What did God tell him Peter would do? Tell him something. And in response what did God say OUGHTEST Cornelius do? Well, its not said here, but it IS explained later.
When Cornelius recounts to Peter, what God told him, he says:
Acts 10:32-33 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 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.
Peter was supposed to speak, and Cornelius was supposed to (oughtest to) hear.
And then when Cornelius’ servants recount what Cornelius told them that God said, we see this:
Acts 10:21-22 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 warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
The servants’ recounting of the story includes what God actually wanted Cornelius to get from Peter: WORDS.
We see this again later. When Peter recounts the story to the Jewish brethren, he says…
Acts 11:13-14 And he [Cornelius] 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.
Each recounting of the story sheds more light on what God said to Cornelius. “Progressive revelation” I’ve heard it called. God doesn’t give understanding all at once, but distributed over time and space, in His word.
What God had told Cornelius, which we were not told in Acts 10, was that he needed to be saved: BY WORDS.
And then again, years later, when false brethren come into the churches teaching works salvation, Peter goes back to recount the same story yet again:
Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Cornelius and his house were saved BY FAITH, in WORDS alone. No works were involved. Not even, as Peter had likely supposed at that time, water baptism was necessary. It was actually at this point that Peter began to realize that water baptism wasn’t a part of salvation.
Acts 11:15-16 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.
Do you need to be baptized? Absolutely! But not with the world’s water.
And so now, here is the conversion. Here is the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles.
And not only that, but here is how Cornelius – the only man of whom the Bible even somewhat indicates that he “worketh righteousness” – how Cornelius was a figure, a pattern, an example to us.
Here is the value of fearing the Lord, seeking the Lord, waiting on the Lord, and you could say, working righteousness like Cornelius, in the flesh, in the OT, under the law, after the figure of the true, which is not true righteousness. What is the value? The Lord keeps His promise. The Lord will be FOUND of that unsaved man.
The Lord hears the unsaved man’s prayer, and the Lord sends a preacher.
Acts 10:34-48 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. [Here is how Cornelius was accepted; here is what he receives from the Lord for his fearing, seeking, and working] 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. [That was what God sent Peter to say. That was what Cornelius oughtest to do, and there is not a single work required in all of Peter’s words. Those are the words whereby Cornelius and all his house were to be saved] 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.
There was NOTHING else that Cornelius was required to do: only hear, and believe.
I included verses 46-48 so you can see the conclusion of the matter. Peter commanded water baptism, but it had nothing to do with their salvation.
The Lord purified their hearts by faith. Washed them with the blood of Christ and with living water. But not by physical water. Again, a lot going on here in Acts 10-11. But what we can see is that Cornelius’ works were not a part of his, or are they a part of anyone’s, salvation. The only role Cornelius’ works had, as an unsaved man who was unable to work true righteousness, was to make his seeking of the Lord and his prayer acceptable to the Lord, so that the Lord in response sent him a preacher so that he could HEAR how he must be saved BY FAITH in WORDS alone, without works.
From Cornelius, we see that the only thing that is promised to an unsaved man, is that if he will seek the Lord with his whole heart, he will find Him. If a man will fear the Lord and seek after the Lord, he will find the Lord. If he will seek the Lord with his whole heart, he will be accepted.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: …
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
These are promises made to the Jews. But now, salvation is sent to the Gentiles. Now, all nations are blessed in Abraham (Galatians 3:8).
Peter said that Cornelius was “accepted” with God. But Cornelius was not accepted into Heaven. He was not accepted into the Church or into the body of Christ. He was not accepted as a righteous man. He was not given the Holy Spirit.
Cornelius was “accepted” in that his prayer was heard. In response, the Lord sent him a preacher.
Acts 10:30-33 And 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, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Cornelius was not saved by his righteousness. He was not saved by seeking the Lord and waiting on the Lord. He was saved by faith in the words of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The only thing Cornelius was given, as a result of his righteousness, in waiting for the kingdom of God, was a chance to hear the gospel. The same promise that was to the Israelites. But Cornelius was a Gentile. And now, the Lord was putting no difference between the Jews and Gentiles, purifying the Gentiles hearts the same way… BY FAITH.
The Lord has things (spiritual things) prepared for those that love Him, those that wait for Him; for every one that, as Peter said, “feareth Him, and worketh righteousness”.
Cornelius was not saved by his righteousness. His own righteousness was not a part of his salvation. His own righteousness was only involved to the extent that he was obeying the law, waiting for salvation, seeking the Lord with his whole heart, and thus the Lord heard his prayer, and sent him a preacher.
If Cornelius was trusting in his works, the Lord would not have accepted him – heard him:
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
All men’s works in truth, are evil. If we regard them, trust in them, we are deceived by them, and the Lord will not hear us.
Cornelius knew he was not saved by his righteousness. The Lord told him exactly by what means he was going to be saved:
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
WORDS whereby thou shall be saved. Cornelius was saved by WORDS. Not by his works, and not by water baptism. Words.
If men could be saved by works, Cornelius would have already been saved. There would be no need for Peter to come and preach Jesus.
So what good was Cornelius’ “working righteousness”?
The Bible says that the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal 3:24).
The law, the figure of the true, teaches men to be ready for the true. That is, IF they hear the law.
But you can be diligently working to obey the law, without actually hearing it (Galatians 4:21). And if men seek the righteousness which is of the law by works, instead of seeking true righteousness by faith, then they’ve not heard the law, or been taught by the law, but they’ve stumbled at that stumblingstone (Romans 9:32). The law can lead you to Christ, OR the law can be a stumblingstone to offend you away from Christ. No matter how righteous men are according to the law, they can reject the law, while not believing and not hearing the law. And they are VERY righteous, according to the flesh (Matt 5:20).
So I believe that the only role a man’s righteousness (carnal, fake righteousness) has in salvation, is the same role as that of the law. Which is: NONE. The law has no role in salvation. The law is bondage.
However, the law can lead a man to Jesus Christ, and cause Christ to hear his cries, and to be found of that man. If the Lord hears/accepts the man’s cry, he will send a messenger, a preacher, to tell him WORDS whereby he must be saved. The best the law can do, the best a man’s righteousness can do, is grant him a chance to hear the truth.
But, the law (or man’s righteousness) can also become a stumblingstone. A rock of offence. It became that for the Jews, and it has become that for the false prophets and for MANY who claim to be Christians.
Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Without hearing the law, they trust in the works of the law, in their own righteousness, and thus they are blinded, and they stumble at the law, and they fall into the pit.
But those that BELIEVE on Him only, shall not be ashamed.
Theres a lot going on in Acts 10. This is the transition from the law to grace. This is the transition from Jews to Gentiles. This is the transition from Israel only, to all nations blessed together in Israel. This is the transition from the figure of the true to the true.
John the Baptist preached the law. He preached, the Saviour is coming, prepare yourself by getting baptized, keeping the law and waiting for the Saviour. But that is OT. Those are lost people.
However, those that what John preached, humbly, seeking the Lord, not lifting themselves up, or trusting in their own righteousness, they were people that were ready and prepared to hear the gospel. Ready to hear words of a preacher, and believe unto salvation.
Now… all this said. The law, or one’s own righteousness is NOT required to be accepted. One does not have to be living as righteously as Cornelius in order to be sent a gospel preacher. One does not have to be living righteously to be able to hear the gospel. We see SINNERS get saved all the time, and there are plenty of Bible examples. Paul, Peter, Mary Magdalene.
Cornelius was one example of a “righteous man”, according to the law, after the figure, who was waiting on the Lord for salvation. But if Cornelius believed himself to be righteous, if he trusted in his own righteousness, if he had lifted himself up in pride, if he rejected the words of Peter, he would have been just as blind and as lost as the chief priests and Pharisees that killed Jesus and persecuted the apostles.
I think there are very few people like Cornelius today. Some maybe, but few. If people are teaching the righteousness of the works of the law today, they are teaching people to trust in those works. They get puffed up by those works.
Jesus says I came NOT to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. If you don’t believe yourself to be a Sinner, instead of “Righteous”, then you cannot be saved. Cornelius was not trusting in his own righteousness. If you trust in the figure of the true (the law), instead of letting the figure LEAD YOU unto the true (Jesus Christ), then you are blind, and you’ve stumbled, and you will soon fall into the pit.
“worketh good” – 1 time
“worketh right*” – 3 times
What do we see? We still see our line of judgment. Our big fat BUT.
They that worketh good, and worketh righteousness in truth are as righteous as Jesus Christ. They are righteous, and are NOT sinners.
They that work righteousness after the pattern, work figures of the true. The figure can help lead a man to Christ, but if men count their righteousnesses as anything more than what they are – filthy rags – then they stumble at the law, and cannot be saved.
Those are the wicked’s works. Those are our carnal works. Fake. Reprobate. They are Vain. They are Idols. They are evil. At best, when our works are patterned after the heavenly things, they are Examples, Figures and Shadows of the true.
Feb 20 2022
The Lord’s Work – Part 39
Downloadable Word document:
The Lord’s Work – Part 39
The Lord’s Work – Part 39
#3:
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.
There is a lot going on here in Acts 10, and if not rightly divided, the false prophets will use people’s confusion to teach their lies: their works salvation.
The Apostle Peter says this in response to realizing that the Lord has sent him to preach the gospel to a Gentile; that salvation is now being sent to the unclean, uncircumcised Gentiles.
While it is not a direct statement that any specific historical human “worketh righteousness”, it does seem to indicate that Cornelius meets the qualification of the statement: that he “worketh righteousness”. And honestly, it would be unfair to say that he doesn’t. We need to understand what is written, not dance around it. But also, certainly not jump to conclusions that contradict Scriptural salvation doctrine.
There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). There is none that doeth good no not one (Romans 3:12). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28). Righteousness is imputed to us, without works (Romans 4:6). We are saved not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5), but through faith in his blood (Romans 3:25). Our sins are removed by the righteousness of God (Romans 3:25). Not the righteousness which is of the law, the righteousness of God which is by faith (Philippians 3:9). We are justified by faith (Romans 5:1), but no man is justified by the law in the sight of God (Galatians 3:11). And if any man trusts to, or includes his own works, then Christ is become of no effect to him, and he is fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4, Romans 11:6).
This is Christian Church age salvation doctrine. We have to believe these things, hold them fast, and not let this foundation be shaken or destroyed just because one, singular, individual, (only 1), alone, with no 2nd witness of a man other than Cornelius in the flesh that “worketh righteousness” – just because this one “difficult” verse is used by false prophets to blind men, to put them in bondage, and corrupt the work of God.
Jesus said that they “strain at a nat and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24).
So in what way were Cornelius’ works involved to make him “accepted” with God?
Acts 10:1-6 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 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. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Well what oughtest Cornelius to do? Some works? Well if Peter could say that Cornelius “worketh righteousness”, then hadn’t he already done works? If he could be saved by works, if he were already righteous, then why would he oughtest to do anything else?
What ought he to do? What did God tell him Peter would do? Tell him something. And in response what did God say OUGHTEST Cornelius do? Well, its not said here, but it IS explained later.
When Cornelius recounts to Peter, what God told him, he says:
Acts 10:32-33 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 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.
Peter was supposed to speak, and Cornelius was supposed to (oughtest to) hear.
And then when Cornelius’ servants recount what Cornelius told them that God said, we see this:
Acts 10:21-22 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 warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
The servants’ recounting of the story includes what God actually wanted Cornelius to get from Peter: WORDS.
We see this again later. When Peter recounts the story to the Jewish brethren, he says…
Acts 11:13-14 And he [Cornelius] 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.
Each recounting of the story sheds more light on what God said to Cornelius. “Progressive revelation” I’ve heard it called. God doesn’t give understanding all at once, but distributed over time and space, in His word.
What God had told Cornelius, which we were not told in Acts 10, was that he needed to be saved: BY WORDS.
And then again, years later, when false brethren come into the churches teaching works salvation, Peter goes back to recount the same story yet again:
Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Cornelius and his house were saved BY FAITH, in WORDS alone. No works were involved. Not even, as Peter had likely supposed at that time, water baptism was necessary. It was actually at this point that Peter began to realize that water baptism wasn’t a part of salvation.
Acts 11:15-16 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.
Do you need to be baptized? Absolutely! But not with the world’s water.
And so now, here is the conversion. Here is the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles.
And not only that, but here is how Cornelius – the only man of whom the Bible even somewhat indicates that he “worketh righteousness” – how Cornelius was a figure, a pattern, an example to us.
Here is the value of fearing the Lord, seeking the Lord, waiting on the Lord, and you could say, working righteousness like Cornelius, in the flesh, in the OT, under the law, after the figure of the true, which is not true righteousness. What is the value? The Lord keeps His promise. The Lord will be FOUND of that unsaved man.
The Lord hears the unsaved man’s prayer, and the Lord sends a preacher.
Acts 10:34-48 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. [Here is how Cornelius was accepted; here is what he receives from the Lord for his fearing, seeking, and working] 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. [That was what God sent Peter to say. That was what Cornelius oughtest to do, and there is not a single work required in all of Peter’s words. Those are the words whereby Cornelius and all his house were to be saved] 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.
There was NOTHING else that Cornelius was required to do: only hear, and believe.
I included verses 46-48 so you can see the conclusion of the matter. Peter commanded water baptism, but it had nothing to do with their salvation.
The Lord purified their hearts by faith. Washed them with the blood of Christ and with living water. But not by physical water. Again, a lot going on here in Acts 10-11. But what we can see is that Cornelius’ works were not a part of his, or are they a part of anyone’s, salvation. The only role Cornelius’ works had, as an unsaved man who was unable to work true righteousness, was to make his seeking of the Lord and his prayer acceptable to the Lord, so that the Lord in response sent him a preacher so that he could HEAR how he must be saved BY FAITH in WORDS alone, without works.
From Cornelius, we see that the only thing that is promised to an unsaved man, is that if he will seek the Lord with his whole heart, he will find Him. If a man will fear the Lord and seek after the Lord, he will find the Lord. If he will seek the Lord with his whole heart, he will be accepted.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: …
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
These are promises made to the Jews. But now, salvation is sent to the Gentiles. Now, all nations are blessed in Abraham (Galatians 3:8).
Peter said that Cornelius was “accepted” with God. But Cornelius was not accepted into Heaven. He was not accepted into the Church or into the body of Christ. He was not accepted as a righteous man. He was not given the Holy Spirit.
Cornelius was “accepted” in that his prayer was heard. In response, the Lord sent him a preacher.
Acts 10:30-33 And 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, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Cornelius was not saved by his righteousness. He was not saved by seeking the Lord and waiting on the Lord. He was saved by faith in the words of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The only thing Cornelius was given, as a result of his righteousness, in waiting for the kingdom of God, was a chance to hear the gospel. The same promise that was to the Israelites. But Cornelius was a Gentile. And now, the Lord was putting no difference between the Jews and Gentiles, purifying the Gentiles hearts the same way… BY FAITH.
The Lord has things (spiritual things) prepared for those that love Him, those that wait for Him; for every one that, as Peter said, “feareth Him, and worketh righteousness”.
Cornelius was not saved by his righteousness. His own righteousness was not a part of his salvation. His own righteousness was only involved to the extent that he was obeying the law, waiting for salvation, seeking the Lord with his whole heart, and thus the Lord heard his prayer, and sent him a preacher.
If Cornelius was trusting in his works, the Lord would not have accepted him – heard him:
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
All men’s works in truth, are evil. If we regard them, trust in them, we are deceived by them, and the Lord will not hear us.
Cornelius knew he was not saved by his righteousness. The Lord told him exactly by what means he was going to be saved:
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
WORDS whereby thou shall be saved. Cornelius was saved by WORDS. Not by his works, and not by water baptism. Words.
If men could be saved by works, Cornelius would have already been saved. There would be no need for Peter to come and preach Jesus.
So what good was Cornelius’ “working righteousness”?
The Bible says that the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal 3:24).
The law, the figure of the true, teaches men to be ready for the true. That is, IF they hear the law.
But you can be diligently working to obey the law, without actually hearing it (Galatians 4:21). And if men seek the righteousness which is of the law by works, instead of seeking true righteousness by faith, then they’ve not heard the law, or been taught by the law, but they’ve stumbled at that stumblingstone (Romans 9:32). The law can lead you to Christ, OR the law can be a stumblingstone to offend you away from Christ. No matter how righteous men are according to the law, they can reject the law, while not believing and not hearing the law. And they are VERY righteous, according to the flesh (Matt 5:20).
So I believe that the only role a man’s righteousness (carnal, fake righteousness) has in salvation, is the same role as that of the law. Which is: NONE. The law has no role in salvation. The law is bondage.
However, the law can lead a man to Jesus Christ, and cause Christ to hear his cries, and to be found of that man. If the Lord hears/accepts the man’s cry, he will send a messenger, a preacher, to tell him WORDS whereby he must be saved. The best the law can do, the best a man’s righteousness can do, is grant him a chance to hear the truth.
But, the law (or man’s righteousness) can also become a stumblingstone. A rock of offence. It became that for the Jews, and it has become that for the false prophets and for MANY who claim to be Christians.
Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Without hearing the law, they trust in the works of the law, in their own righteousness, and thus they are blinded, and they stumble at the law, and they fall into the pit.
But those that BELIEVE on Him only, shall not be ashamed.
Theres a lot going on in Acts 10. This is the transition from the law to grace. This is the transition from Jews to Gentiles. This is the transition from Israel only, to all nations blessed together in Israel. This is the transition from the figure of the true to the true.
John the Baptist preached the law. He preached, the Saviour is coming, prepare yourself by getting baptized, keeping the law and waiting for the Saviour. But that is OT. Those are lost people.
However, those that what John preached, humbly, seeking the Lord, not lifting themselves up, or trusting in their own righteousness, they were people that were ready and prepared to hear the gospel. Ready to hear words of a preacher, and believe unto salvation.
Now… all this said. The law, or one’s own righteousness is NOT required to be accepted. One does not have to be living as righteously as Cornelius in order to be sent a gospel preacher. One does not have to be living righteously to be able to hear the gospel. We see SINNERS get saved all the time, and there are plenty of Bible examples. Paul, Peter, Mary Magdalene.
Cornelius was one example of a “righteous man”, according to the law, after the figure, who was waiting on the Lord for salvation. But if Cornelius believed himself to be righteous, if he trusted in his own righteousness, if he had lifted himself up in pride, if he rejected the words of Peter, he would have been just as blind and as lost as the chief priests and Pharisees that killed Jesus and persecuted the apostles.
I think there are very few people like Cornelius today. Some maybe, but few. If people are teaching the righteousness of the works of the law today, they are teaching people to trust in those works. They get puffed up by those works.
Jesus says I came NOT to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. If you don’t believe yourself to be a Sinner, instead of “Righteous”, then you cannot be saved. Cornelius was not trusting in his own righteousness. If you trust in the figure of the true (the law), instead of letting the figure LEAD YOU unto the true (Jesus Christ), then you are blind, and you’ve stumbled, and you will soon fall into the pit.
“worketh good” – 1 time
“worketh right*” – 3 times
What do we see? We still see our line of judgment. Our big fat BUT.
They that worketh good, and worketh righteousness in truth are as righteous as Jesus Christ. They are righteous, and are NOT sinners.
They that work righteousness after the pattern, work figures of the true. The figure can help lead a man to Christ, but if men count their righteousnesses as anything more than what they are – filthy rags – then they stumble at the law, and cannot be saved.
Those are the wicked’s works. Those are our carnal works. Fake. Reprobate. They are Vain. They are Idols. They are evil. At best, when our works are patterned after the heavenly things, they are Examples, Figures and Shadows of the true.
By Pastor • Christian Doctrine, Good Works • 0