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Acts 10:17-33
Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate, 18 they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there.
19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”
21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
The pointer flew across the cancel and landed in my lap, and the congregation laughed. The staff team sat around the table and prayed for each other. The parents of confirmation-age children came to me with an idea. The elders gathered around me and prayed for me and my son. Diane came with me on a hospital visit. These are my immediate thoughts about doing ministry together. These were enriching, encouraging, emboldening, and enlightening moments that I would never have had alone. We are better together!
This is nothing new. Although Peter is alone in prayer when the men from Cornelius’ house come seeking him, they are a group of three. And when Peter goes on to Cornelius’ house, he is not only in the company of these three, but some brothers from Joppa travel with him. He is definitely not alone. He is among a cadre of fellow travelers. They will go together.
And when they arrive they discover that there is a group of family household members and friends present with Cornelius. They are ready to hear with Peter has to say. There is strength in numbers – not only in mission, but in hearing as well. Whole families are brought into the fellowship of believers. Cornelius’ family and friends will receive the Holy Spirit and be baptized. In a time to come the Philippian jailer and his family will hear, believe, and be baptized.
We are individualists. We think about how the political climate will impact us individually. We consider our relationship with God to be a personal and individual issue. While these things are true, God’s vision is far wider. He wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. But he doesn’t want those who come to faith to be alone in their faith walk. We’re better together. This is God’s plan.
So don’t go alone. To church. To share the gospel message. To serve. To help. Take people along with you. You’ll both be blessed for it.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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