Acts 10:24-48
God Welcomes Every Nation
24The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.
26But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together.
28He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
29So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”
30Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me
31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.
32Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’
33So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has instructed you to tell us.”
34Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
35but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
36He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
37You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed:
38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
39We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,
40God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen—
41not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
42And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.
43All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.
45All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
46For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,
47“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!”
48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
Berean Standard Bible
Cornelius gathers relatives and close friends to hear Peter. Peter explains that God has shown him not to call any person impure or unclean. Then he tells the household about Jesus: his ministry, death, resurrection, and appointment as judge.
I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
Peter has not finished speaking when the Holy Spirit falls on everyone listening. The Jewish believers are astonished that the gift is poured out on Gentiles, but the evidence is plain. Peter orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The gospel does not become less Jewish by reaching the nations; it reveals the breadth of God's promise through Israel's Messiah.
Peter's opening is remarkable because it begins with a changed understanding of God rather than a strategy for winning an argument. He knows that Cornelius and his household have been waiting, so he explains that God shows no favoritism. In every nation, the person who fears God and does what is right is welcomed by him.
Peter then tells the story of Jesus: his ministry in Galilee and Judea, his death on the cross, his resurrection on the third day, and his appearances to chosen witnesses. The apostles ate and drank with him after he rose, so Peter's witness is rooted in a real encounter, not only in an idea about survival after death.
Jesus is appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. The prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on everyone listening, including the Gentiles. The Jewish believers who came with Peter are astonished because the gift is poured out on people they did not expect to include. They hear them speaking in other languages and praising God, and Peter orders them to be baptized. He then stays with them for some days, accepting the fellowship that God has created.
Questions
1 Who was waiting to hear Peter?
AnswerCornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends.
2 What did Peter say God does not show?
AnswerHe said that God does not show favoritism.
3 What happened while Peter was speaking?
AnswerThe Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the message.
4 What did Peter command?
AnswerHe commanded that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
What This Means for Us
The church must not treat a person's background as a barrier God has already removed. The right response to God's generous welcome is to recognize his work, make room for one another, and let Jesus remain at the center.
Prayer
Father, forgive us for the lines we draw where you have opened a door. Teach us to welcome people through faith in Jesus and to rejoice when your Spirit is at work. Amen.