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 (2)
Death of Jesus
“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power.” The introduction of Jesus begins with John the Baptist. (1) John the Baptist baptized people with water, but God baptized Jesus with the Holy Spirit. (2) “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Although the word “Messiah” does not appear, this is a Messianic declaration. God declared that Jesus is the Messiah (the Anointed One). (3) This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2. As a result, Jesus performed many miracles and healings. “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.” (1) The apostles are witnesses to the public life of Jesus and witnesses to the fact that the Jews crucified and killed Him. (2) Up to this point, Peter has held the Jews responsible for killing Jesus three times (Acts 3:15, 4:10, 5:30). (3) Stephen also accused the Jews in the same way (Acts 7:52).
Resurrection of Jesus
“God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He be revealed.” (1) But God raised Jesus on the third day. (2) Jesus limited the number of people to whom He appeared (according to 1 Cor. 15:6, about 500 people). It was shown in Exodus that unbelievers do not believe in God even when they witness miracles. Luke 16:31 teaches, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” (3) The apostles ate with the resurrected Jesus. The resurrected Jesus was not an apparition but had a physical body. “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.” (1) Jesus gave the apostles the Great Commission. (2) Peter, without quoting Messianic prophecies, addressed the Gentile audience by introducing Jesus as the “Judge of the living and the dead.” Instead of using the term “Messiah,” he used the term “Judge.” To escape the judgment of the “Judge,” there is no other way but to believe in His name. We are freed from the wrath of God through faith in Jesus.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You that through the grace of Your Son Jesus, my sins are forgiven and that I have peace with You. I will continue to walk by faith today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.