“When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter helped him up and said, ‘Stand up! I myself am also a man.’” vs25-26

It is natural for sinful man to worship what we should not, and it is the responsibility of God fearing men to put a stop to it.

People will esteem us because we bring the message of life, but we must make sure they know that we are mere men, and the Lord Jesus is the Savior of sinners. When Peter healed Aeneas, he made sure to say, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed [Acts 9:34].” He did not take credit, like todays false apostles, nor did he perform a fake miracle, but it was all real, as evidenced by the character of the Apostle.

1 Our character must be impeccable as His messengers. This is something that we lack. We look upon doctrine and skill in preaching, but we forget the character of Christ must be formed in us, so that people who oppose us are ashamed of themselves [Titus 2:8]. We fight with spiritual weapons, and they are preaching, pray, and practice. We must live by what we say, and deep humility fits God’s children, because all that we have is a gift. Paul says, after expounding the mercies of God, “For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one [Rom 12:3].”

Here is the MOST GIFTED Apostle, recognizing that he was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a very proud and hateful person, when the Lord Jesus came in mercy.

2 Never forget where He found you and what you are without Him! Many are called and few are chosen, and if we turn from the Lord to our own strength, then we are nothing. In fact, the only reason we stay near is He’s put His fear in our hearts. He says, “I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put fear of Me in their hearts so they will never again turn away from Me [Jer 32:40].”

Be very afraid of yourself and draw near to Christ. Paul says, “Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches [Israel], He will not spare you either. Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you--if you remain in His kindness [Rom 11:20-22].”