So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality…
Acts 10:34-48
In our verses yesterday, Peter, as he is on the roof of Simon’s house, becomes hungry and falls into a “trance.” Peter sees a vision of a large “sheet” that descended toward him and on the sheet were all kinds of animals, reptiles and, birds, none of which were “kosher” to eat for a Jew. When a voice prompted Peter to eat of the food on the sheet, he objected to the voice, saying, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” Peter was being given a visual lesson here about the unity of all Christians without any distinctions like the Jews had under the Old Covenant (Testament). It was now the New Covenant of Grace that all Christians were under and there were no “laws” or “practices” to be kept as it had been in the Old Testament. Peter will take quite a few “lessons” in this area, even being publically confronted by Paul, before he writes of it in his letters. Peter comes to understand, in this vision, that he is about to go preach to a Gentile and his household and he is to witness the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of these Gentiles so that Peter declares that the gospel has come to the Gentiles, also! So, Peter opens his address to Cornelius and his household by saying, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.” Peter continues to preach how God had chosen the Israelites to be a godly people to the world. But, God sent His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, to witness to all that the God of Creation offers redemption to anyone who believes in His Son. As Peter preached, the Holy Spirit fell upon all of Cornelius’ household and they were praising God and speaking in languages they did not know, just as those on the day of Pentecost did in Jerusalem. Peter commanded that all of the Gentiles who had been converted were to be baptized right away. Afterward, Peter remained with Cornelius for many days. Scripture here shows us how Peter was shown and taught by the Holy Spirit that the Gospel message was available to all humanity. Yet, Peter will be challenged again in this matter later in Scripture. Christians today are to understand that God’s salvation in Jesus Christ is to be made to all humanity. All humans are sinners, born that way, and find salvation and eternal life only through the Person and works of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah and Lord of lords and King of kings. Source: S C Ball June 24, 2023
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