Word Live: Our Impartial God
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16). Thank you, Father God, that Jesus died for all, and you love us equally.
Bible passage
Acts 10:34–48
34 Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – 38 how God anointed 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.
39 ‘We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 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. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ 48 So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
If you were asked to list the most important events in Christian history, what would you say? Jesus’ life, death and resurrection would probably be the first things to spring to mind, but what about the events of today’s passage? These were monumental. If they had not occurred, then Christians would have remained simply a little group within Judaism and the gospel would not have been preached around the world.
Everything Peter had experienced over the past few days now came together to help him finally understand that the gospel was not just for Jews but for all nationalities, and that these non-Jewish converts did not need to be circumcised and follow Jewish religious laws to be acceptable to God. Indeed, God made this crystal clear by sending his Spirit upon Cornelius and his household (vs 44–46).
The message that God has no favourites is still very relevant and important today (vs 34,35). We are called as Christians to show that God loves equally people of every age, sex, race, class and background. How well are we and our churches doing at this?
Author
Caroline Fletcher
Respond
Are there some groups in particular within our churches and wider society who are not receiving the message that God loves them equally? Spend time praying over this.
Deeper Bible study
Like Cornelius and his household, feel a sense of expectation. What does God want to say to you today?
First, Peter places the straight edges of the jigsaw, the framework within which God’s event has been revealed. He outlines what Cornelius already knows and accepts, then he begins to fill out the centre: his personal testimony of the death and resurrection of Jesus, followed by the commissioning of the disciples to preach the gospel, the forgiveness of sins through the name of Jesus Christ. There’s still something missing from the presentation, however. Spontaneously, while Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit is poured out on all who are gathered to listen (v 44). This is the Gentile Pentecost, in nearly every way identical to that experienced by the first disciples.1 The picture that Peter has already come to realise (vs 34,35), that God’s salvation is for all humanity, Gentiles as well as Jews, is evidenced in the most dramatic way.
Peter’s entourage, circumcised Jewish believers, can only look on in astonishment. The embryonic church has been wrenched in a new direction. Nothing will ever be the same. Peter seizes the initiative, recognising God’s moving in the events that have unfolded. For him, the gift of the Spirit is the final confirmation that God has incorporated Gentile believers into his church. From his initial vision on the rooftop, through the mysterious invitation from Cornelius to meet with him, to the evidence of tongues and an outpouring of praise, this is clearly God’s work. Baptism into the church of Jesus Christ is the next step – but the issue of circumcision is already lurking in the background. The word ‘astonished’ (v 45) on the part of Peter’s circumcised companions contains hints not only of surprise but also of suspicion. There will be repercussions.
Have you ever been astonished by someone’s coming to faith? What astonished you? Was it the change in them, the breadth of God’s love, or your own preconceptions?
Author
Brian Radcliffe
