PETER PROCLAIMS GOSPEL OF PEACE TO GENTILES
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peaceG1515
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Acts 10:34-36
Charles Swindoll gives insight into Peter’s attitude:
Peter undoubtedly accepted the scriptural doctrine that God shows no partiality (see Deut. 10:17; 2 Chr. 19:7), but only in theory; only recently had he taken the doctrine seriously enough to act upon it. Either way, it’s a transparent admission. He stood in the Gentile home because he himself had changed. (57)
Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.
2 Chronicles 19:7 And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.
Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was not a convert to Judaism but was what the Jews called a God-fearer. He gave generously to charity and prayed to the one true God. However, He had not heard about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An angel appeared, praising Him for his good deeds but urging him to send to Joppa to find Simon Peter who was staying in a house owned by Simon the tanner. Meanwhile, the Lord gave Peter a vision of unclean animals lowered down to him on a sheet. God instructed him to kill and eat. Peter replied that he had never eaten anything that had been declared “unclean”. God replied, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15). The vision was repeated three times. Just as Peter was pondering what this could possibly mean, the men Cornelius had sent to find Peter arrived. The Lord instructed Peter to go with the men, so he invited them in and journeyed with them the next day. They arrived at the house of Cornelius.
Acts 10:27-28 As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together. He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.”
Cornelius invited Peter in to tell all his relatives and close friends whatever God had instructed him to share. If this were a cartoon version of the story, a lightbulb would suddenly appear above Peter’s head. He now understood that the Gentiles should be given the same opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Jews. He shared the good news that peace with God can only be found by believing in and trusting in Jesus Christ. He realized the vision was to show him that all nations needed to hear the Gospel and all people could receive the forgiveness offered by the Lord.
We, too, are to share the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus with all kinds of people—all nationalities, all races, all socio-economic groups, all abilities, etc. We cannot discriminate when it comes to telling others how to have peace with God. The great commission makes this clear:
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Father, help us to faithfully proclaim the good news that anyone who believes in and places his/her trust in Jesus will have peace with You. We are not to judge who is worthy to hear. We are to proclaim the truth to everyone and trust You to draw them to You. Help our daily lives as well as our words to lead others to know You.
Worship along with Phillips, Craig, and Dean as they ask, “Can I Get a Witness?” Be encouraged to share your witness!