Acts 10:34-43
34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,
35 but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.
36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—
37 you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed.
38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 We are witnesses of all the things that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.
40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He be revealed,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and to testify solemnly that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.
43 All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Peter’s Message (1)
Peter’s discovery
“Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.’” (1) “Opened his mouth” is a set phrase meaning an important message is about to spoken. (2) “I most certainly understand” means that he understood the meaning of the vision. Peter, as a result of hearing Cornelius’ story, understood the truth intellectually. (3) What he understood is that God does not show partiality (ref. Deut. 10:17, 2 Chron.19:7, Rom. 2:11). (4) The Jews had misconceptions. (a) They believed that because they were descendants of Abraham, they were children of the kingdom. (b) John the Baptist rebuked this kind of thinking. (c) Peter discovered that if Gentiles had faith, they too, could be accepted by God. Once, Peter had spoken, “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself” (Acts 2:39). “All who are far away” refers to the Gentiles. Peter discovered that God accepts Gentiles as well, but it was difficult for the brothers in Jerusalem to understand this truth. “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).” (1) Here, Peter’s message begins, and its content is like an outline of the Gospel of Mark. Mark was influenced by Peter. He wrote the Gospel focusing more on Jesus’ actions, miracles, death, resurrection, and the Great Commission than on His teachings. (2) Jesus is the Logos sent by God to the descendants of Israel. The Logos came as a man and preached peace. This is peace between God and people, peace between individuals, and peace between nations. (3) Jesus Christ is the Lord of all (both Jews and Gentiles). This part is an insertion of joy and triumph. A lot had happened before the gospel was preached to us Gentiles. The fact that we are now saved through faith is truly “amazing grace.” Let us remember this and praise the name of God.
Today's prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, the gospel and salvation through faith are truly an amazing grace. I will continue to walk with joy today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.