A Memorial Offering

A Memorial Offering Before God

Acts 10:1-22 “…Your prayers and giving to the poor have come up as a memorial offering…”

By Kurai Chitima

When you do not see what God is doing, you think your works of faith are going unnoticed.  The story of Cornelius illustrates how every work of faith counts. Serving, believing, loving, forgiving, praying and giving work. Just because you cannot see, it does not mean God is doing nothing. Cornelius was not only a gentile but also a centurion in the Roman occupational forces in Israel. Cornelius however was a God-fearing man hungry to know more about God. God noticed Cornelius’ prayers and gifts and moved things for him. God appeared to both Cornelius and Peter when they were praying (Acts 10: 9, 30). The encouragement from this story is that:

a) God remembers your labor of faith.

Every persistent prayer and giving/serving is a memorial offering (Ps 112:7; Jam 1:8; Heb 6:10; 1 Thes 5:24). For Cornelius, despite being a gentile, they were a reminder similar to a written petition, monument or some other. It stood out in heaven and drew attention and honor. Prayer and works of faith are inseparable and both are evidence of faith. It is impossible to have good quality of one and not have good quality of the other. Each proves the strength of the other. In the Old Testament, the grain offering included a memorial portion, which could be an offering of grain (with oil and incense), made by fire and was an aroma pleasing to God (Lev 2:2, 3). It favorably reminded God of the person who made the offering. It reminded God of his covenant obligations. It was pleasing to God. We please God by faith (Heb 11:6).  A memorial offering is an offering of faith and patience that God cannot ignore, forget, nor overlook. In the case of the grain offering, the rest of the offering was ‘a most holy part’ and belonged to the priest (1 Pet 2:5; Rev 1:6).  For each memorial offering, more of the grain offering remained to the benefit of the priest who made the offering.

b) God says what you should do

God remembered Cornelius and appeared to him through the angel. God asked Cornelius to send for/summon (metapempo) Simon who was called Peter (Acts 11:14)’.  God’s answer required further obedience from Cornelius. Angels do not have the role of communicating the gospel. It had to be done by a believer. In this case, Cornelius had to summon Peter. He obeyed even though it was unimaginable that a Jew would come to the house of a gentile. It challenged his culture. He was likely to be misunderstood. Cornelius’ obedience despite the obstacles triggered everything that happens after. He activated divine support to his God ordained summons. Peter did not only come but stayed and ate at his house for two days. As a part of Faith Ministries JFLC, God has summoned you to someone in bondage to sin, in desperation, looking for answers. The Great Commission (Mat 28:18-20) summons us to the house of Cornelius. A person of a different culture but searching for the Christ we have.

c) All your things are coming together

God always works on all ends. When you obey Him, he works on all the pieces and people necessary for your answer and eventually brings them together (Psa 16:6).  Cornelius stepped out in faith. On the second day of the journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  Through a vision, God prepared Peter for something beyond his norms. The messengers arrived just in time. The Holy Spirit spoke to Peter.  All things are coming together in pleasant places for you. Things are coming to the right places at the right time.