When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he informed them that it was against Jewish law for a Jewish man to enter the house of a non-Jew, or to even associate with a non-Jew. However, Peter further told them that God had revealed to him that this was not as God intended. God intended for us to think of everyone who sought to serve God as clean. No matter how sinful, or otherwise unclean, the background of a person was, if they were seeking to learn about and follow God’s commands, God has declared them clean. Let us follow Peter’s example and preach the Gospel message to anyone who is willing to listen, but especially to those who are seeking it out.
    As Peter was preaching to the members of Cornelius’ household, the Holy Spirit fell upon them. When Peter realized that this had happened, he instructed those who had accompanied him to baptize them. This is significantly different from the way we practice baptism today. Today when someone professes faith in Jesus, we typically have them take a membership class before we baptize them. In the various passages where baptism is discussed in the book of Acts, those who profess faith in Jesus and a willingness to accept Him as Lord are immediately (or as soon as practical) baptized.

    King after king arose in Israel, each one more wicked than the last. When Ahab became king, God raised up Elijah to prophecy and call the people back to Him. Elijah told Ahab that it would not rain in Israel for several years, not until Elijah gave the word that it would again rain. This did indeed come to pass. However, God provided for Elijah. First, by having ravens bring food for Elijah while he got his water from a particular stream. When that stream, God sent Elijah to the widow in Zarephath.
    The widow gives us a great example to follow. When Elijah first came to the woman and requested food, she told him that she had just enough food for she and her son to have one final meal before they starved. Elijah told her to go ahead and make the meal for her and her son, but first make him a bit of bread. He told her that if she did as he asked, there would always be enough flour and oil in her jars to make one more meal, until the drought ended (when she would be able to buy more). The widow did as Elijah asked and it turned out as Elijah had promised.