Peter Preaches to Cornelius’ Household
December 5, 2020
Commentary
God makes it clear through Peter’s teaching that the Good News of Christ is for everyone (vv. 34-35). We should never allow culture, prejudice, geography, economic situations, or educational levels to keep us from telling others about Christ. In every nation there are people ready to receive the gospel, but someone must take it to them. Seeking God is not enough; people must put their trust in Him. This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, into this world to offer peace to them (v. 36). Peter’s brief and powerful sermon contains a concise statement of the gospel (vv. 37-43). Jesus’s perfect life of servanthood, His death on the cross, and His resurrection was personally witnessed and experienced by Peter. A sermon or witness for Christ does not need to be long to be effective. However, it needs to center on Christ as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Cornelius and Peter were very different. Cornelius was a wealthy, Gentile, military leader. Peter was a Jewish fisherman turned preacher. But God’s plan included them both. Cornelius needed Peter to know the way to salvation and Peter needed Cornelius to know that Gentiles were included in God’s plan. While Peter was still speaking, some of the Gentiles began speaking in unknown languages and praising God, as the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening (vv. 44-46). Some of the Jewish followers were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to the Gentiles, as they heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter responded, “These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have, and I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them” (vv. 47-48). Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Application
Just as Peter obeyed the Lord and accepted the Gentiles as believers, I need to reach out to people who are in different parts of society and different parts of the world.
Acts 10:34– 48 (NET)
34 Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)— 37 you know what happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 with respect to Jesus from Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all the things he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us, the witnesses God had already chosen, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to warn them that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 So he gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days.