THREE ROMAN OFFICIALS - J. C. O'Hair

THREE ROMAN OFFICIALS

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

Carefully read the Scriptures listed for this lesson. We learn in these Scriptures that so far as there is any record in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Roman official, in Luke 7:1 to 12, was the first Gentile man, if not the only Gentile man, to whom the Lord ministered while He was here on earth as Jesus of Nazareth. It cannot be dogmatically stated that Christ ministered to only one Gentile man and one Gentile woman (Mark 7:25 to 33). But it is significant that these two instances only are mentioned, and that the Lord Jesus most emphatically and positively told His apostles “go not into the way of the Gentiles.” (Matthew 10:5). Christ words were “I am not sent but unto Israel.” (Matthew 15:24).
There are some who believe that the centurion of Luke 7:1 to 12 is the same centurion who witnessed the crucifixion of Christ, and said “surely He was the Son of God.” (Mark 15:39). But this cannot be said with absolute certainty.
There are some Christians who even believe that the centurion, of Luke 7:1 to 12, was Cornelius. But this too seems to be speculation based upon a comparison of Luke 7:5 and Acts 10:22, rather than by recorded fact. Note what is said concerning the centurion in Luke 7:5 - “For He loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” He took his place in subjection to Israel.
Then note concerning Cornelius, in Acts 10:22 and Acts 10:4. “And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews.” “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” The first centurion was of great faith and asked an Israelite to give his petition to Christ. (Read the story in Luke 7:1 to 12).
Both of these Roman officials had more than respect for Israel, Israel’s religion and Israel’s God. The first Gentile knew the Gentile’s place of subjection to Israel. (Luke 7:3 and 6). The second (Cornelius) knew that Israel had the true God and the true religion and he was even willing to bow unto Peter. (Acts 10:25). Cornelius was the first Gentile to whom Peter preached, and Acts 15:7 is very significant. Peter said the Gentiles by MY MOUTH should hear the gospel. (Acts 15:7). Then when Peter said this he agreed with Paul and others that he (Peter) would preach to the Jews. (Galatians 2:9).
Consider the words, “let the children (Israel) first be filled” when the Lord Jesus blessed the Gentile woman (Mark 7:27), and the words “the children of the kingdom (Israel) shall be cast out,” when Christ blessed the Gentile man (Matthew 8:12). It was shown that there was really dispensational teaching in these two “Gentile” exceptions. Read Christ’s statement in Matthew 15:24 - Luke 19:9 and Luke 13:16. In the Book of Acts we find a transitional period during which “Israel is first filled” and then “Israel is cast out.” - Acts 3:26 - Acts 13:46 - Acts 28:25 to 28 - Romans 11:15.
Some of this is told in Acts 13:45 and 46. And it is in this chapter we read of the first recorded Gentile, by name at least, saved under Paul’s ministry. He, too, was a Roman official, Sergius Paul, a Roman deputy. Saul the preacher also became “Paul.” We may be sure that a Gentile name was a stigma in the eyes of the religious Jews. Certainly we have the beginning of a very definite turning point when the Roman official, Paul, believed what Saul preached to him, because blindness from God fell upon the Jew. “Bar-Jesus.” This was indeed a dispensational miracle. Read it prayerfully and carefully in Acts 13:5 to 13 and compare Acts 13:5 with Romans 11:11 and 11:25. “Bar-jesus” blinded by God spoke of Israel blinded by God in Romans 11:5 to 9. This doctrine should cause every Gentile to do what the Roman official did; accept Christ.

 

 

Posted By – Cecil Spivey

Cspivey1953@gmail.com

 

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