02-16-2025 From Sincerity to Certainty

Text: Acts 10:37-43

                    This morning, I want to talk to you about the difference between sincerity and certainty when it comes to our faith, salvation, and eternal life..  The definition of sincerity is freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity; it’s honesty in intention or in communicating; and it is earnest.  Sincerity is the opposite of hypocrisy, and most people respect sincere people.  But one can be wrong about something and still be sincere in their belief or position, which is why there are many sincere people who have made tragic mistakes.  Certainty on the other hand, is the state of being certain, which means having no doubt or reservation, and being confident and sure.  It’s knowing that something is for sure such as an assured fact.                           So, what does this mean when we are talking about our faith and salvation?  One can be sincere in believing in God and Jesus but just believing doesn’t save anyone.  To be a Christian means that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are certain that your sins are forgiven, and you can look forward to eternity in Heaven.

                   In the first eight verses of Acts chapter 10 we learn about Corneilus who was a Roman Centurian in charge of about 100 men.  He gave generously to those in need. and prayed to God regularly.  He and his family were devout and God-fearing but were not saved.  Corneilus was sincere in his belief in God.  One afternoon he had a vision where he distinctly saw an angel who came to him saying “Cornelius!”  He stared at the angel in fear and said, “What is it Lord?”  The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.  Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter and is staying with Simon the Tanner whose house is by the sea.”  When the angel left, Cornelius told two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants what the angel had said and sent them to get Peter.

                   The following day around noon, Peter became hungry and while waiting for food to be prepared, he went up to the roof to pray.  He had a vision where he saw something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners and it held all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.  He heard a voice that said, “Get up, Peter.  Kill and eat.”  His response was “Surely not Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  Everything contained in the sheet were forbidden by God for the Jews to eat.  The voice spoke a second time:  “Do not call anything impure that God has made unclean.”  This happened three times and then all at once the sheet was taken back to Heaven.  While Peter was wondering about the meaning of what He has seen, Corneilus’ men found the house of Simon the Tanner and called from the gate if the man Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him that three men were looking for him so get up, go downstairs and go with them, for I have sent them.  The men told Peter how an angel told Cornelius to bring Peter to his home so he could hear what he has to say.  Cornelius had been sincere, but he was lost because he was not certain of his salvation.  So, the Lord sent Peter to him to instruct him, which allowed him to become certain that he was saved. 

                   Up to this point, Peter sincerely believed he was to preach the Gospel of Jesus only to the Jews.  It was the vision on the roof that allowed him to understand that the good news of Jesus was available to everyone, Jew and Gentile.  He was to spread the Gospel of Jesus and salvation through Him to everyone.

                   Our text, found in Acts 10:37-43 is the short but powerful sermon that Peter preached when he went to the home of Cornelius.  He said:  “(37) That Word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power:  who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil; for God was Him.  (39) And we are witnesses of all things which He did in both 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 showed 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 the quick (meaning the living) and dead.  “ (43) To Him give all the prophets witness that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins.”

                   Peter was speaking in verse 43 of the ancient prophets who told of the coming of Jesus.  We know that Cornelius and his family were devout, that he prayed, and he was very generous.  But his sincerity was not enough to save him.  This is why the angel told him to send for Peter.  Peter instructed Cornelius in the Scriptures.  He told him that there are no restrictions on who can be saved because Christ died for all who will believe in Him and accept Him into their life as Savior.  This was the new truth Peter learned from his vision on the roof.  Today, we can all be grateful that we can be saved as well.

                   The Gospel, which means ‘good news’ gives us the certainty that all who accept Jesus into their hearts through faith will receive forgiveness of their sins.  All the sins of our past can be gone and never revisited.  Complete forgiveness comes only through faith and acceptance of Christ.  Cornelius learned that he could be saved, and it was a certainty.  All who are saved are free of the guilt of their past sins.  Verse 42 is the proof that belief and trust in Jesus is the only way to salvation because God has ordained Him alone to be the judge of all the people.  Today, Jesus is the Savior and tomorrow He will be the Judge.  Every human being –saved and unsaved -- will one day sit in judgement before Jesus.  When we accept Him into our life, He writes our name in the Book of Life and our judgement will go easy.  So, you see, without Jesus there is no path to salvation or eternal life in His kingdom.  Simply being a good person will not get anyone into Heaven.

                   When we ask Jesus to come into our life as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to teach us how to grow in our faith and prepare for Heaven.  Anyone can sincerely believe in Christ, but to truly be saved they must accept Him into their life with certainty.

                   Cornelius and Peter were vastly different people.  Cornelius was a wealthy Gentile military man and Peter was a poor Jewish fisherman turned preacher.  God’s plan included both of them.  In Cornelius’ house that day, a new chapter of Christian history was written as a Jewish Christian Leader and a Gentile Christian convert each discovered something significant about God at work in the other person.  Cornelius needed Peter in order to hear the Gospel and know the way of salvation.  Peter needed Cornelius in order to understand that Gentiles as well as Jews were included in God’s plan. 

                   Each of us here today, may know of a believer needs to know how God works so that they can be saved and certain of their future.  Are you certain of your salvation so you can be prepared to help someone else understand that belief alone isn’t enough to be saved?  They have to make the decision by faith to accept that Jesus is their Savior and let Him into their heart so that they can be saved for eternity.

                    Until we meet again, may God bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.