Cornelius - The Search 6 - A Vision for the Future

Cornelius was a soldier in a harsh world, a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea.  A devout man, he made enemies.  He had a waking dream, and encountered the apostle Peter.  Cornelius - The Search, written by Hugh Finlay, and produced by Colm Flanagan.

Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:14

Commission Christian Radio Productions present Cornelius The Search, written for radio in six episodes by Hugh Finley. Episode six: A Vision for the Future.

SPEAKER_00 0:41

Cornelius and his household had been baptized and become followers of Jesus. They had experienced great joy, but the law and the traditions of the Jews had been set aside in one sweeping move by Peter and the others.

SPEAKER_02 0:59

You seem preoccupied, Peter. What's wrong? Samuel, we have just driven a chariot and horses through the law. As it stands, Gentiles are not allowed to even enter the temple precincts. We are forbidden to enter their houses lest we become defiled.

SPEAKER_04 1:18

You did what the Holy Spirit expressly asked of us. Whom do we obey? God or man? Did you not receive a vision before we came here?

SPEAKER_02 1:26

Of course I did, but I have spent all my life as an observant Jew. Well mostly. Now I have taken a totally different route. I I'm confused, that's all. Are you so sure, Samuel? Look, what was the word you were given in the vision? That I should not call anything unclean that God has declared clean.

SPEAKER_04 1:47

Well, there you are, then. God has declared these people worthy of his kingdom. They're acceptable to him, and that's all that matters. You said so yourself.

SPEAKER_02 1:56

Yes, you're right. But I still worry about what the chief priests and their scribes may do. They did enough damage when they had the chance.

SPEAKER_04 2:04

Oh, I know. It can be hard when we seem to be going against everything we were taught. But it's then we have to remember we are going with God. If he swims against the tide, so must we. Now come on. We've a meeting in a few minutes, and they'll be waiting for us.

SPEAKER_05 2:29

Quiet, everybody! Quiet!

SPEAKER_07 2:32

Peter is ready to speak to us about the new way to do it. Varis! You and the others can sit over there.

unknown 2:39

Okay.

SPEAKER_07 2:40

Now settle down, everybody.

SPEAKER_02 2:44

Cornelius, Camilla, all of you. You have been baptized into new life in Christ Jesus. When you were plunged beneath the waters, you were buried, as it were. But when you emerged, you were reborn. You are a new creation. Your old nature has gone, and you were filled with the Holy Spirit. That was what happened when you all began to speak in the languages he gave you.

SPEAKER_03 3:11

We have seen the hand of Yahweh in all our lives. We saw nothing but hot air and bluff when the other gods were presented to us. Yahweh was real, and it showed.

SPEAKER_04 3:21

Oh, indeed he is real, Cornelius. And this is only the beginning. You have much to learn as we do. But God is not an Ari.

SPEAKER_00 3:32

Peter gave basic instructions to Cornelius and his household over the next few days. Then they had to return to Joba. What had happened at Caesarea was to have far-reaching implications.

SPEAKER_03 3:46

I will send Decimos and Varus with you, Peter. They will offer protection on the road and see you safely to your journey's end.

SPEAKER_02 3:53

You're very kind, Cornelius, but uh do we really need an armed escort? We travel under the protection of the most high God, do we not? No, I thank you, but we will travel as we are.

SPEAKER_07 4:05

Peter, please come back to see us sometime. We still have so much to learn.

SPEAKER_02 4:10

I will make it my business, Camilla. We need to keep in touch with all who follow the way and be aware of what the Holy Spirit is doing so that we can help each other. You must not let yourselves become slaves to the law.

SPEAKER_07 4:23

Oh, I don't think there's any danger of that. But do come back. You will always be welcome.

SPEAKER_02 4:29

Thank you both, and give our best regards to the rest of your household. Now, I must be off. May the peace of God rest on this house and everyone in it. Farewell.

SPEAKER_03 4:40

May God go with you and protect you all and see you safely home. I will send letters to you as we progress in the fifth. And if you could write to us too, we would be grateful.

SPEAKER_02 4:51

I'll try and do that, Cornelius. Now I bid you farewell.

SPEAKER_00 4:55

Peter and his friends set out on their return journey, and while they walked, they discussed the implications of their visit.

SPEAKER_04 5:03

So the Gentiles are to come in. I can't deny what my own eyes and ears have told me.

SPEAKER_02 5:08

Jesus said that he had come to fulfil the law, Samuel. Maybe this is what he meant. You remember the line from Scripture a light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to my people Israel. I think what we have experienced is the beginning of that.

SPEAKER_04 5:24

Hmm. It won't go down too well with some, you know. Yes, I know. But there are those who are traditionalists. But they take their scripture seriously, and I'm sure they'll come around.

SPEAKER_02 5:37

Don't worry about it. When God acts, he lays the groundwork beforehand. Their hearts will be ready.

SPEAKER_04 5:44

I still have a premonition of trouble. But well we shall see what we shall see. Look, there's the port. We're nearly there. I am looking forward to a splashdown and some food. Home problems can be solved with a hearty meal.

SPEAKER_02 6:02

No doubt of it, Samuel. You like your food.

SPEAKER_00 6:05

All through the land, Gentile believers were coming into the fellowship of the way, to the consternation of Jewish believers. It was going to pose the first major problem the new church was to face.

SPEAKER_05 6:19

I can scarcely believe my ears. You say that the Gentiles are coming into the kingdom in groves? How can this be?

SPEAKER_06 6:29

I cannot explain it. From what I heard, Peter and some others are baptizing anyone who professes belief in the master. It goes against every tenant of our law. There can't be true believers unless they convert.

SPEAKER_05 6:42

I will have to examine Peter when he gets back. As leader of the church in Jerusalem.

SPEAKER_06 6:48

It is my duty. And then there is the matter of circumcision. That has marked our race as being under the covenant from the time of Abraham. Are we just to forget all about it? I agree.

SPEAKER_05 6:59

We will have to consider what we ask of people who want to follow Jesus. Do they fully convert or what?

SPEAKER_06 7:08

Nay, there are others here who will have nothing to do with Gentiles or any other race. This is going to be a big problem.

SPEAKER_05 7:49

Yes, but Peter, you mixed with Gentiles. Yes, and you entered the house and ate with them as well. What do you say to this, huh?

SPEAKER_06 8:00

And what about the law? Yes. Brooke and Peter's day.

SPEAKER_02 8:04

Brothers, hear what I have to say.

SPEAKER_06 8:06

The law! What about the law? The law is from God.

SPEAKER_02 8:09

Let me speak, brothers. I can't answer those questions you're asking if you won't let me speak.

SPEAKER_05 8:14

What about the Tentiles?

SPEAKER_02 8:16

I will tell you the whole story. One day in Joppa, while I was praying, I saw a huge sheet let down by its four corners from the sky. There were all sorts of birds and animals in it, which we are forbidden to eat, and a voice told me to kill and eat whatever I wanted. When I said I had never eaten any forbidden food, the voice said, Do not say it is unclean when God says it is. And this happened before the sheet and all the animals disappeared into heaven.

SPEAKER_06 8:45

Do you mean what I think you mean? Are you saying there is no longer anything unclean?

SPEAKER_02 8:54

Just as the vision cleared, some men arrived at the house where I was staying and told me that they wanted me to go to Caesarea. The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry about their being Gentiles. We went to the man's house and he told us that an angel had appeared to him and told him to send for me. He said that I was to tell him and his household how they could be saved. But Peter, they were Gentiles.

SPEAKER_05 9:19

You can't get round that.

SPEAKER_02 9:22

I went with him and saw it all. The man Cornelius was indeed a Gentile, but he was a prayerful one who acknowledges the Lord God in all he does. He is also a friend to our people.

SPEAKER_05 9:34

But what of the Lord? Hey the law!

SPEAKER_02 9:38

When the Holy Spirit fell on them, that was real. I believe that God is moving into a new age. After all, we believe that Jesus was the Messiah, do we not? Of course we do.

SPEAKER_05 9:51

But all this is very confusing. The Messiah is to fulfill the law and the prophets as Jesus said he was doing.

SPEAKER_02 10:01

Exactly. If the law has been fulfilled, then it has served as purpose and we need to examine the whole position. I believe what I saw was a vision for the future. When I began to tell them the good news, the Holy Spirit fell on them in power, just as he fell on us at the beginning. And I remember Jesus saying we would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Now, if God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed, what was I to do? Who was I to argue with? I don't know what to think anymore at all.

SPEAKER_05 10:35

They were baptized by the Holy Spirit? What happened?

SPEAKER_02 10:40

They spoke in other languages as we did, and praised God long and loud. I could feel his power in the place.

SPEAKER_05 10:50

Brothers, if God saw fit to bring the Gentiles to salvation by turning to God and receiving eternal life, are we to object to this? I for one, I'm sorry for doubting you, Peter. Please forgive me and all of us.

SPEAKER_01 11:14

You, Cornelius, have given me a headache. I told you when you first came here not to make waves. Thomas Maximus has got the wrong end of the stick, as usual, but he has tried to indict you as a traitor because you fraternized with the locals.

SPEAKER_03 11:30

Sir, I have kept you fully informed of all my activities. You know that I have an interest in this messiah, and that I believe in their god. Not a whisper of rebellion or subversion has surfaced in all my contacts.

SPEAKER_01 11:42

Look, Cornelius, I accept that you have achieved what few others have done. Peace in your area. I have known Domus Maximus for some time, and he can be a pain in the neck. But I have to be wary of his contacts at Rome. And so must you. I'm aware of that, sir.

SPEAKER_03 12:00

But what can I do? He will twist anything to put me in a bad light. Why? I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 12:07

I can only appeal to your wisdom. I've met the one you called Messiah. I gave permission for his crucifixion. Remember? I knew he was innocent, but I allowed fear of disorder to influence me. I haven't had peace since. The least I can do is to see that Domus Maximus is taken out of our hair. Carry on, Cornelius. But be careful.

SPEAKER_03 12:38

I'm in your debt, Governor. I thank you.

SPEAKER_00 12:42

So the good news spread across the whole area, beginning with Cornelius, a Roman, and his household. And the story is still going on today. Christ uses men from all races and countries to build his church.

SPEAKER_04 13:27

The series was written by Hugh Finlay and produced at Commission Studios in Belfast in other people by Colin Flaming.