September 10, 2024
Some Jewish leaders opposed contact with Gentiles lest the leaders become ritually unclean. Jews called Gentiles “dogs.” But God had called the Hebrews to be a light to the nations (Isa. 42:6). As the gospel progressed, the Church learned that God is no respecter of persons. While Peter prayed on a rooftop, he had a vision of ritually clean and unclean animals. A voice — perhaps God’s voice — commanded Peter to kill and eat. Peter refused. Peter was perplexed, but at that time a soldier sent by a Roman centurion named Cornelius arrived with two servants testifying that an angel directed Cornelius to hear a message from Peter. Our passage conveys Peter’s response to Cornelius.
Cornelius served as a centurion, an officer in the Roman army. He commanded an archery unit of 100 men called the Italian Regiment. Cornelius was a devout God-fearer and a charitable man (v. 31). Peter’s gospel presentation to a devout, God-fearing man demonstrates that there is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ. Peter began his message by proclaiming that God does not show favoritism. The compound Greek term translated “favoritism” literally means “to receive face” — that is, to make evaluations of people based upon appearance. External appearance, rank in society, race and economic status do not determine a relationship with God. Cornelius likely could have checked all the status boxes required for human cultural esteem, but he still needed a relationship with Jesus. The good news of Jesus is that He is Lord of all people.
Through Faith (37–43)
Peter communicated to Cornelius and others who might have been present the gospel message from the Old Testament and the basic contours of Jesus’ ministry. First, he proclaimed that Jesus is Lord of all people whether they recognize Jesus as Lord or not. Then Peter recited the basic outline of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus’ ministry began in Galilee after he was baptized by John the Baptist. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Further, Jesus healed and set people free from the tyranny and lordship of the devil. The Jewish and Roman leaders in Palestine crucified Jesus, but God raised Jesus on the third day. The apostles were assigned the task of preaching the message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to people groups. All the prophets of the Old Testament prophesied about Jesus. Belief is required for forgiveness of sins, yet belief is more than intellectual assent. Belief is a commitment. The Greek phraseology is “believe into Jesus,” which implies a commitment to Jesus.
As Peter preached, the Holy Spirit came down on the listeners of the sermon. Bible scholar F. F. Bruce labeled this event as the “Pentecost of the Gentile world.” As a pastor, I pray that the Spirit would empower my message and the Spirit would come down upon the congregation. Jewish believers were amazed because Gentiles received the Holy Spirit as the Jews did on the day of Pentecost. The Gentile hearers declared the greatness of God. Peter realized that there was only one way of salvation and one people of God. Peter asked a question, yet he expected a specific answer to the question. “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized who received the Holy Spirit as we have?” Peter commanded the listeners to be baptized in the name of Jesus. The gospel broke down a man-made divide between humans.
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This lesson was written by Mark Rathel, professor at the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Fla., and originally published by The Baptist Paper. This study is based on the Explore the Bible curriculum from Lifeway Christian Resources.
