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 annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around 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 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
Peter is speaking to the Gentiles in the home of Cornelius about the things he had witnessed after John had baptized Jesus. God had annointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power and he was doing good and healing all who was under the power of the devil. Peter had witnessed the hanging of Jesus by the Jews and also had witnessed him after he was risen from the dead on the third day. Peter told that Jesus had commanded that he and the prophets were to preach and testify that everyone, not just the Jews, who believes in Jesus will receive forgiveness through the name of Jesus. Thus, a new blood covenant had been made for all people through Jesus the Christ.
Our Prayer
Father thank you that Jesus Christ is now the blood covenant that enables everyone to receive forgiveness through his life, death and resurrection, to deliver all from their sins committed under the first covenant. Your laws are now written on our hearts when we believe and do what is right. Help us to live in honor of your word with praise and worship of you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
