Session 12
Acts 10:34-48
Memory Verse: Acts 10:34-35
In Romans 2:11, Paul declared that God never plays favorites. In a letter to the Galatians, he added that “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). All people are made in the image of God, and all people are sinners in need of salvation. So, no matter what our background, each one of us is precious to God, and each of us can come to Him through personal faith in Christ (John 14:6).
As you reflect on Peter’s experience, think about how hard it must have been for him to align his thinking to God’s plan. Spend time talking to God about how you need to change the way you think about salvation or how you see people who are different from you. Ask Him to give you wisdom as you share this important truth with the group. Also, be sensitive to individuals in your group who may need to accept Christ. Consider finding a way to share the gospel as you lead.
Inclusion has become a cultural requirement in education, business, politics, and social settings. The idea appeals to many people’s sensibilities. Unfortunately, some groups misuse “inclusion” to mean endorsement and active support of certain social ideologies to the exclusion of biblical worldviews. Such applications are exclusive, not inclusive. The most inclusive statement in Scripture says, God “gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God’s offer of salvation includes every person. His only requirement is that people believe in Jesus with all their being. Now that’s inclusion. (PSG, p. 109)
On the heels of Luke mentioning that Peter was staying with Simon at the end of Acts 9, he recounted Peter’s divinely orchestrated encounter with a man who would challenge everything Peter thought he knew about salvation. Cornelius was a Roman centurion-an army officer-living in the coastal city of Caesarea. He is described as “devout” and a man who “feared God” (Acts 10:2).
Cornelius’s faith was more than just mental ascent. He was a man of action, showing generosity toward those in need, especially the Jewish community. He also was a man of prayer.
One day as he prayed, the Lord sent an angel to visit Cornelius. The angel told him that his prayers had been heard and that he should send to Joppa for a man named Peter. Cornelius immediately obeyed God’s instructions through the angel.
Meanwhile, as Cornelius’s servants traveled, Peter received a heavenly vision. In this vision, he saw a large sheet containing animals that were forbidden for Jews to eat. Yet, a voice told Peter to “kill and eat” (10:13). At first, Peter refused, saying that he had never eaten anything that violated the Mosaic law. But God stated that whatever He called clean should never be considered unclean.
The same vision appeared to Peter two more times, leaving him confused about what God was trying to tell him (10:17). As he was reflecting on the vision, the men from Cornelius arrived and shared the centurion’s message. After spending the night, they all set off for Caesarea to see Cornelius and his household.
When Peter arrived, Cornelius bowed at Peter’s feet and began to worship him. Insisting that he stop, Peter reminded him that he was just a man (10:26). Peter entered Cornelius’s house (which would have been considered a violation of the Jewish law) and found a large gathering of people. Catching on to the meaning of God’s vision, Peter told Cornelius about what God had just taught him through the vision (10:28-29).
Cornelius then recounted the instructions that he had received from the angel. He told Peter that all the people in the room had gathered to hear whatever message God led the apostle to share (10:33). As Peter spoke, God’s Spirit fell just as He had on the Jewish believers at Pentecost (10:44).
Seeing God at work, Peter led the first recorded Gentile converts into the kingdom of God. After they were baptized, Peter stayed with his new Gentile friends for a few days-a move that would spark the anger of many Jews (10:47-48).
Review Acts 10:1-48. How did Peter’s vision in verses 9-16 and his visit with Cornelius in verses 17-33 prepare him for his message in verses 34-43? (PSG, p. 110)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ ?- ?he is Lord of all.”
(v. 34) I truly understand: God had divinely orchestrated the meeting of Cornelius and Peter, and it seems that Peter gradually understood what God was teaching him. In verses 28-29, Peter declared that the vision he had received was God’s way of teaching him that he should not call anyone unclean or impure. In verse 34, Peter declared that he really understood what was happening.
(v. 34) God doesn’t show favoritism: Peter realized that God never demonstrates favoritism. He accepts all people who fear and obey Him. The Bible is clear that all people are created in the image of God. It is equally clear that all people are fallen and in need of a Savior.
While the Jews were God’s “chosen people,” that related to the line of the Messiah rather than special treatment. They still had a responsibility to share God’s love with the Gentiles, and the Gentiles still had a place at the table through Jesus’s sacrifice. That’s why He challenged His followers to take the gospel to ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
(v. 35) Every nation: As Peter spoke, he affirmed that God sent the gospel through the Israelites because Jesus was an Israelite (v. 36), but he also emphasized that the gospel is for all people. The word translated nation is also used in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
The idea here has nothing to do with political nations, but people groups who share a common background. Therefore, when Peter confessed God’s open door to anyone who would believe, he was saying something radical-even scandalous-for an observant Jew. He was claiming that individuals did not need to be Jews to become a Christian. This confession would serve as the foundation for the way the gospel was spread to the ends of the earth.
Acts 10:34-35
Spend time praying Scripture using Acts 10:34-35. Read the verses, then respond to these questions:
Example: Thank God for being a personal God who values all people and wants all people to know Him. Ask Him to help you show that same desire as you interact with people of all backgrounds.
During the session, invite adults to pray this Scripture, as well.
(v. 36) Good news of peace: The gospel of Jesus brings peace with God and with other believers. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), and His kingdom brings peace and unity to earth by reconciling all things to himself (Col. 1:20). Luke highlighted this peace when he shared the story of Jesus’s birth (Luke 2:14).
(v. 36) Lord of all: While Jesus stands as Lord over every part of creation, the specific meaning here is that He is Lord of every person: Jews and Gentiles. No one is excluded from God’s salvation offer because of cultural or personal background. It is available for all who believe. No matter the audience, believers can affirm the heart of God in this important truth.
37 “You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. 39 We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, 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 appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”
(v. 37) The events that took place: Peter pointed to Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Even though these events took place in Judea and Galilee, the story of Jesus had made its way to Gentile areas, like Caesarea. Plus, oral traditions were being supplemented by the written Gospels. Whether the story of Jesus was being passed along in written or oral form, eyewitnesses to Jesus’s life and ministry were still alive and verifying the accuracy of His teaching.
Anointed
The word anointed is closely associated with the title “Christ” or “Messiah,” so this sentence is affirming that Jesus is the Messiah. He came to earth as the long-expected Anointed One, whom the Father sent to save people from their sins.
In addition, Jesus relied on the power of the Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity had a role to play in the provision of salvation. Jesus also promised to share that power with His disciples, allowing them to experience the Holy Spirit’s help as they became witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8).
(v. 38) Jesus of Nazareth: Despite being born in Bethlehem-in fulfillment of messianic prophecy (Mic. 5:2)-Jesus was more closely associated with Nazareth, a small, obscure village in the first century. Its name means something akin to “Branch-town,” so every time a Jewish person heard about Jesus of Nazareth, they may have thought about the living root that would rise out of the dead stump of Jesse (Isa. 11:1).
(v. 38) Doing good and healing: Peter reminded his listeners that Jesus had performed good deeds and healed people. The ministry of Jesus demonstrated that the kingdom of God had arrived. During his earthly ministry, Jesus’s works proved that He was unique among rabbis and teachers.
His works affirmed that He is the Messiah. His miracles also pointed toward the day when all disease and death would come to an end (Isa. 53:5). His compassionate works provided freedom from the tyranny of the devil and broke the chains that held humanity captive and without hope (1 Cor. 15:45-49).
(v. 39) Witnesses: Peter’s authority rested on his status as an eyewitness of everything Jesus had done and said. Jesus called His followers to be witnesses (Acts 1:8), which involved sharing what they already knew and had experienced. They were appointed to be Jesus’s messengers to the ends of the earth. By witnessing to Cornelius, Peter was doing just that.
(v. 43) Forgiveness of sins: When Peter spoke about “the prophets,” he was invoking the entirety of Scripture, which for him would have been the substance of our Old Testament. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is a book about God’s love for humanity and the salvation He offers through Jesus.
The prophets said the Messiah would fulfill the law of God and establish peace between God and humanity. Jesus is the Messiah, and people can find forgiveness of sins only through faith in Him.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
(v. 44) Holy Spirit came down: As Peter shared the gospel with those who had gathered in Cornelius’s house, the Holy Spirit descended. Just like Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit resulted in people speaking and hearing in different languages and God was praised (v. 46).
Speaking in other languages was a curse at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11), but the curse was reversed at Pentecost and here in Acts 10. In Genesis 11, God confused the languages so the people would fulfill His command. In Acts 2 and 10, God gave the gift of languages so His command to preach the gospel to all nations could be fulfilled.
Circumcised
The Jewish believers, the circumcised, who accompanied Peter were amazed when the Holy Spirit arrived at Cornelius’s house. When Abraham was set apart by God to be the father of a great nation, God’s intention was that all nations on earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). When God brought the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, His powerful acts would help the nations know Him. Solomon’s temple was designed to reveal God as Creator of heaven and earth for the nations. The people of Israel were always meant to be God’s conduit of blessing to the whole earth.
However, they had lost that purpose and become insular, thinking that the blessings of God were meant for them alone. For them, circumcision became a symbol of that mentality. The book of Acts, though, proves that God’s purposes have never changed. He still intends to bless the ends of the earth through the message about Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. And He still expects His people to be the ones who share His message with the world.
(v. 47) Withhold: Peter rhetorically asked if there were any objectors to baptizing the people present. Then, he directed his associates to baptize these new believers “in the name of Jesus” (v. 48) because they had received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews had on Pentecost. When we realize that we have all fallen short of God’s perfect standard (Rom. 3:23) and deserve God’s wrath (6:23), we should embrace anyone who comes to faith through the grace of God in Jesus-regardless of their background (Eph. 2:8-9).
(v. 48) Asked him to stay: Peter prolonged his visit, meaning that Acts 10 concludes with the kind of hospitality that should mark the relationships between all believers. The hospitality of Cornelius reflects God’s willingness to welcome all kinds of people into His kingdom.
It also represents a transition in the history of the church. Whereas differences in social standing and ethnicity had previously been important to Peter, those walls had come crashing down. Other Jews might question his faithfulness, but Peter once again was obeying God rather than the dictates of human beings (see Acts 5:29).
We are called to follow Peter in this example. The gospel is for all people. That includes those whom we might be tempted to think are outside the realm of God’s love. His offer of salvation through forgiveness of sins is an open door to anyone who is willing to walk in.
The Church
The New Testament speaks of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. (See Ephesians 2:19-21; Revelation 7:9-10).
Use a Bible dictionary to learn more about “God fearers.”
Cornelius is described as a Gentile who “feared God” (Acts 10:2). Read about “God fearers” in a Bible dictionary. Besides Cornelius, who are some other God fearers in the book of Acts? In what ways were “God fearers” key figures in understanding God’s plan of redemption?