Luke 9:23-24 If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

 

The 10th Chapter of the Book of Acts is somewhat of a turning point in Christianity. Until this time, Christians consisted of Jews who believed in Jesus as their Savior and converted to Christianity. Gentiles had no place in the Church at all because Gentiles had never been accepted by the Jews as worthy of anything of God. These early Christians had no understanding of the fact that Jesus had died for the sins of everyone, not just the Jews.

 

By this time, it is believed that thousands of Jews had been converted to Christianity. It had only been eight years since Pentecost but now God would open up His Salvation to absolutely every person on earth no matter their nationality. The number 8 is God’s number for new beginnings and what a new beginning this would be for all those people in the world who were never included before! God would now open the door for people all to come in and be Saved!

 

This evangelistic effort began in Caesarea which was about thirty miles north of Joppa on the Mediterranean Sea. This city had been built by Herod the Great and was quite extravagant with palaces, a huge amphitheater, and many other public buildings. Some of the remains are still there today.

 

In addition to the buildings, Herod erected a gravity-operated freshwater system that brought drinking water into the city. This stone pipeline was approximately twelve feet high and several miles in length. This structure was quite an accomplishment for that time and a portion of this water system is still there today as well.

 

As magnificent as the coastal city of Caesarea was in the natural, God was about to open this place up to be something far more magnificent in the spiritual. Jesus Christ was coming to town and God would use Peter to bring the Message of the Gospel of Christ to the people there! They were in for a Divine New Beginning that would be a turning point in all of history and it would all begin with one man named Cornelius. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a Centurion of the band called the Italian Band. (Acts 10:1)

 

All it takes is one willing person to believe in Christ and many will follow. This is the way it’s been throughout all of history. One willing person can make the difference in a household, town, city, state, or country. God can use one willing person to convert a great multitude to Christ. Every new beginning starts with one willing person. Are you willing to be that one person to be used by God to bring Salvation to your household, school, workplace, or community?

 

 

God will use one willing person to……….turn the tide………..in this world.

 

I am willing,         Doreen

 

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