"We Can, But They Can't"
In Acts 10:32-33 we read these words: "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 seaside: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee." 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."
In verses 34-35 we read: "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Here Peter tells in a few words what is taught in many other places in the New Testament. Christ while on earth had said in John 10, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." He also told the apostles to go teach all nations. Mt. 28:19.
Paul says in Eph. 2:13-18 that the middle wall of partition has been broken down. The Hebrew writer informs us in Heb. 5:8-9 that Christ became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. Gal. 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
One of the great obstacles confronting the early church was trying to get the Jews to understand that the Law had served its purpose as a school master to bring us to Christ. Gal. 3:24.
The promise God made to Abraham that through his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed was fulfilled and guaranteed by making an isolated nation of his posterity so there could be no doubt or question about Christ being the answer to this promise. In brief, this sets forth what was meant by Peter in Acts 10:34-35, and which he declared again in Acts 15:8-9.
My understanding of Acts 10:34-35 is and has been that regardless of one's name, color or sex, all are subjects of Heaven's invitation and will have to give an answer to God for our conduct here.
Likely some will say that this is so obvious that it is a waste of time to discuss it further; but though this is plain to you, I am persuaded that nearly all the sectarian world, and many in the Church do not understand or believe Acts 10:24-35. Special gifts were given to confirm the preaching of the apostles. Mk. 16:17-18. Others also were given gifts. Eph. 4:11-12. Paul tells us how long these were to endure: Eph. 4:13-15; 1 Cor. 13:8-12. That which is perfect came when the New Testament was completed. James 1:25; John 8:32. Adam and Eve were made full grown. Since that time, the law of nature has governed the perpetuation of the human race; so, in the Spiritual realm, since the Law of Pardon was bound on the human race by the Ambassadors of Christ, all are to be born of water and of the Spirit. John 3:3-5. The apostles were ambassadors. 2 Cor. 5:20.
Now if Christ through the Spirit saves some in a special way, separate and apart from the Word given by the ambassadors (James 1:21), then their treaty (Plan of Salvation) bound on earth (Mt. 16:19) is set aside, and there is a respect of persons. The Mourners' Bench type of salvation ignores Acts 10:34-35.
It has been the duty and privilege of every Christian since the Church was established to teach all to repent and be converted that their sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19, In addition to repentance, conversion consists of faith in Christ (Jn. 8:24), which leads to a confession of this faith (Acts 8:37), and baptism for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38). This Law of Pardon is for all. Acts 2:38-39; Tit. 2:11-12.
The Catholics teach that the Pope is the head of the Church on earth, that he is infallible, and has a number of other powers and blessings that belong only to him. Now if this be true, then Acts 10:34-35 is not true, because then God is a respecter of persons. These people are not alone in denying the truth of these passages. Henry VIII evidently thought he was exempt, and a privileged character, because he ignored the commands of the Bible and of the Catholic Church in putting away his wife to marry another woman. And thus began the Church of England (Anglican). Likely within every sectarian body there is this idea of there being a privileged group of people to whom Acts 10:34-35 does not apply. The doctrine of predestination which teaches that some were elected before the world began very definitely ignores the true teaching of Acts 10:34-35. This doctrine teaches that some will be saved whether they fear God and work righteousness or not. Thus they teach that some are privileged characters. Baptists teach that if you become a believer and are one of them, then you are always saved, and that regardless of your conduct you will be saved. Now the Bible teaches that "the soul that sinneth it shall die." Ezek. 18:20. Romans 6:23 teaches that the wages of sin is death. Even though these are Bible truths, the Baptists teach they are excluded and are not subject to the law concerning sin. Thus Acts 10:24-25 does not apply to them. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church said he saw a vision and was directed to a set of plates that contained an additional revelation from God. Thus he was a privileged character. To others of us, no additional revelation has been made, so if his story is true, than Acts 10:34-35 is not true. (I believe Peter).
A lot of people who heard only preaching that taught directly or indirectly the idea that God was a respecter of persons died, or will die with the idea that their case was or is a hopeless one. About the beginning of the nineteenth century a number of honest men began to see that the doctrines of men, and Acts 10:34-35, (as well as other scriptures) could never be reconciled; so they began to plead for a "Thus saith God" for their faith and practice. In making this plea they asked their neighbors and kinsmen to come out of man-made religious bodies, teaching that the Lord has a vineyard (church) and that the obedient are added to the Church by the Lord. Acts 2:47. This was true then, and it still is, even though down through the years man-made institutions have been established and people have joined them — spent their time, money and talent in these man-made bodies. This has happened and is now going on, even though Christ died to purchase His Church. Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25. These folks could, and many do, read Acts 2:47, but evidently they reason that they are exempt and that Acts 10:34-35 does not include them, and they can join the church of their choice. Many were taught the truth by the pioneers and by their faith and obedience were translated from the power of darkness into the kingdom of His Dear Son. Col. 1:13.
For nearly half a century these brethren plead for primitive Christianity and many thousands were persuaded to leave various religious institutions. These brethren were obedient to the Lord and taught others to be. Then, they too began to ignore Acts 10:34-35, even though they had taught others that they should be members of the Lord's Church (1 Cor. 12-20), and work therein, (Eph. 3:10), and therein the Lord should he worshipped. (Eph. 3:21). Though they taught these truths to others, they themselves decided they had crossed into the exclusive set where Acts 10:34-35 no longer applied to them, so they established the Missionary Society through which to preach the Gospel. A group of faithful men and women in various parts of the country continued to believe that Peter meant what he said in Acts 10:34-35 and that they were included therein. Others were taught the truth also, and again the Gospel in its simplicity appealed to many and the Church grew — but again this inconsistent idea cropped up to hinder the work of God's people; not as a Missionary Society, for that had been condemned as another institution set up to do the work that should be done by the Church. But now the Church of Christ again (in the minds of many) moves out beyond Acts 10:34-35. (I want this text to sink in!) — and even though others could not build churches in which to work and worship, and our brethren of a century ago had no right to establish a Missionary Society, yet now we are a privileged people and can build institutions through which to do benevolent work. Like the others I have mentioned, Acts 10:34-35 now does not include us. (We can, but they can't).
This is not all that happens when a group of people get beyond the general run of humanity. These people who get the idea that they are a special people living beyond Acts 10:34-35 also get another special blessing — that they are to direct and rule others. I don't have to linger on the idea that the Catholics have the idea they should rule all. They did, and would like to again, crown all rulers, run all benevolent organizations, schools, and all else. Why not? If their first contention is true, then they should. Many still live who have felt the power of the Mormons in their effort to rule not only their own people, but in a political and financial way, those whom they called Gentiles. Why not? If the Lord set aside Acts 10:34-35 to give their founder a special revelation, then they must be special. The Missionary Society, we are told, pretty well runs the Christian Church. And why not? If it is better in which to do God's work, why should it not guide a lesser institution (in this case, the Christian Church).
Now that the Church of Christ (as many think) has reached a place beyond Acts 10:34-35, they who have had this additional blessing that enables them to do what they say others cannot do — build institutions in which. to do the work of the Church — also have the additional power to direct the affairs of the Church, saying who is a worthy preacher, and setting a standard that a preacher has to meet before he is able to meet a sectarian in a debate. This standard is that all must admit we have arrived at that mysterious realm beyond Acts 10:34-35 and can now do things that other religious folks can't do. And why not? If the wise (?) men among us have found a way to exempt us from Acts 10:34-35, then they surely have the right to say who the congregations should secure to preach to them, etc. If you doubt that the idea exists among some members of the Church of Christ that God manifests himself to some beyond what we teach others can expect — namely His revealed Will in the New Testament — then you must not have heard what a preacher in Abilene said in his introduction of a converted Catholic from Italy. I am reliably informed that he said he believed this man has been called of God as was Moses, to lead God's people. Like our Holiness friends, this preacher in his enthusiasm overlooked the fact that the converted Catholic spoke very halting English. (This is not to ridicule the new convert — likely he spoke better English than I ever could speak the Italian language — but it is to show that if God had called him to lead the people, He would have appointed an able speaker to help him as Aaron was chosen to speak for Moses; or, He would have enabled the man himself to speak in other tongues as the Apostles did.)
This case proves what I have been saying all along: that the Lord, according to these brethren, has set aside Acts 10:34-35, and has in this case called a man as he called Moses. I believe that this man could have been called of God, but if he was, it was not in a miraculous way as was Moses, but as Paul said the Corinthians were called. 1 Cor. 4:15. A calling like this does not violate Acts 10:34-35. For one to be called now as Moses was, would violate not only Acts 10:34-35, but other scriptures as well, such as 2 Cor. 5:7. But as for me and my house, it will first have to be proved that Acts 10:34-35 has been set aside in their behalf. Meanwhile, I plan to keep praying without facing any particular city.