God's angel told Cornelius, "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved" (Acts 11:13,14). Cornelius responded in obedience, sending three men to seek Peter (10:8,19). Those three men explained to Peter that they were to bring him in order that Cornelius could "hear words" from him (10:22). But not just any old words - Peter was to preach unto them all things that God commanded him (10:33).

Why send for Peter? Because God said to! To Cornelius' credit he did exactly what God told him to do. Such simple obedience is never a trivial matter in the sight of God.

Why send for Peter? Because Peter would preach words whereby Cornelius and those with him could be saved (11:14). The gospel is God's power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Men are not saved by hearing funny stories, by hearing the doctrines of men, or by being entertained. Men are saved when they hear and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ! (Mark 16:15,16). It was this same Simon Peter that earlier confessed that Jesus has "the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Now it was Peter's task to preach those words to the Gentiles.

Why send for Peter? Peter himself later said, ". God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe" (Acts 15:7). How is faith produced? Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). If Cornelius was going to become an obedient believer, he must first hear the faith-producing gospel! God made the arrangements for the messenger (Peter) to bring the soul-saving message to the one that needed it (Cornelius).

Why send for Peter? Because God's will is for the gospel to be preached by humans, not by angels or directly by the Godhead. The treasure of the gospel is in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7), meaning it must be preached by human beings.

Our pastors have summoned brother Stanley Freeman to come preach the gospel during our gospel meeting that is scheduled to begin next Sunday. No, he is not an apostle as Peter was. But the bishops' purpose in sending for him is the very same as Cornelius' purpose in sending for Peter: they want us to hear from brother Stanley the Lord's words of eternal life whereby all who hear them can be saved. Let's support in every way possible our elders' decision to provide us with this special opportunity to hear the gospel preached!