Acts 10: 34-43
Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached–how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went along doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen–by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
A Thought
Cornelius, a devout and God-fearing Gentile, had an angel of God appear and speak a message to him that God had heard his prayers and his gifts to the poor had been received as an offering before God. The angel further told him to send for Peter to come to his house. At about noon the next day Peter as he is praying, receives a vision of heaven open with a large sheet containing all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles of the earth and birds of the air being let down to earth. A voice told Peter to eat and Peter quickly refused saying he had never eaten anything unclean. Then Peter was told not to call anything that God had cleaned as unclean. This happened three times before the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was trying to understand what the vision meant, the men that had been sent by Cornelius called out at Peter’s gate. The Spirit told Peter that three men were looking for him and to go with them. The next day they went to see Cornelius. He told Peter what had happened to him. Now Peter speaks God’s message to a house full of Gentiles in Cornelius’ house that salvation is for every nation who will fear God and do what is right. They have now received the same message that was given to the people of Israel–Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation through faith in him. Everyone who believes in Jesus as the Son of God receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Thanks be to God!
Our Prayer
Father thank you that you do not show favoritism–you accept all people who will fear you and do what is right. This is the good news that we can be saved in Jesus Christ. We desire to pray, to hear you speak through your word and for us to be your witnesses as we obey and honor you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
