THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Chapter Ten – The First Uncircumcised Gentile Convert

ACTS 10:34-43 – Part 1:

In our previous lesson, we had the union of Peter and Cornelius. In addition to Peter coming, he brought with him six brethren (Jewish in background) as witnesses to what will transpire.

The union of Cornelius and Peter would also find an entire group of people who were “all present before God, to hear all things commanded you by God”.

With this perfect audience assembled, Peter will now preach the Gospel of Christ to these Gentiles.

Before we get into the text, I wish to offer this outline of Peter’s sermon for your notes:

Introduction – No Partiality – 34-37
God sent Jesus - 38
God confirmed Him by miracles - 38
We are witnesses - 39
The Jews killed Him - 39
God raised Him - 40
We are His witnesses to the resurrection and to all that the prophets spoke of concerning Him – 41-43

Text #1:

Acts 10:34-43 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. ³⁵ But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. ³⁶ The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— ³⁷ that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. ⁴⁰ Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. ⁴² And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.””

Introduction – No Partiality: The initial statement of Peter establishes the answer to a variety of questions concerning God’s dealings with man. It is enforced by Peter’s words concerning all in every nation (Jew or Gentile), who fear God and work righteousness are accepted by Him.

First, for years, since God gave the Jews a written Law, many have claimed that God only saved Israel, prior to the coming of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This testifies to the falsehood of that thought process. There is additional evidence of those who served God apart from the children of Israel (Balaam – Numbers 22; Assyrian’s repentance – Jonah 3:5-10). In addition, as Paul would teach that all men universally need the Gospel due the fact that all men sin (Romans 3:23), he would outline that the Gentiles had sinned (even without a written law), due to the fact that they had not feared God or worked righteousness – Romans 1:18-32 (which also outlines by their guilt towards what God had expected of them apart from a written law for righteousness). The ones that feared God; however, are also mentioned by Paul, and he testifies how they found righteousness, like Cornelius, note (“the law” in this passage is a reference to the Law of Moses):

Romans 2:14 “for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves”

God had since the beginning of His dealings with Israel (which were the blessing of God to Abraham their father, by whom God promised to make him a great name and give him a great nation; all for the purpose of bringing forth the Seed that would bless all – Genesis 12:3), strategically placed them in the known world so that any man who wished to know and fear God, could seek Him and then know what he should do for righteousness (Deuteronomy 28:9-10). With the coming of the Seed of Abraham (Jesus Christ – Galatians 3:16), the purpose of Israel in the flesh, has been fulfilled; now all men are children of Abraham by Christ Jesus, note:

Galatians 3:26-29 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Second, in the unification process of all men through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-18), there has to be one unified way for everyman regardless of background, wealth, poverty, education, nationality, etc… to come to God! This is why God demonstrated His love for all men in the command to preach the Gospel to the entire world! Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8.

Thus anyone claiming that God has to choose one out, send His Spirit before they hear, or in any way change the nature of the universal Gospel of Christ makes God a respecter of persons. This would clearly be against the word of God!

Romans 2:11 “For there is no partiality with God.”

Galatians 2:6 “But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.”

Ephesians 6:9 “And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

Colossians 3:25 “But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”

1 Peter 1:17 “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

This would also be the subject of Paul’s instruction to the brethren in Corinth. It would not be the man that brings the Gospel that would be important, but the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which is preached!

1 Corinthians 1:21 “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”

1 Corinthians 1:29 “that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Paul would also instruct that it would require of all men hearing the Gospel, that they demonstrate the same nature of heart that Cornelius and his household are demonstrating towards the preaching of Peter, note:

1 Corinthians 1:26 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”

God Sent Jesus: As Peter recognizes that God is non-partial, he will now acknowledge the universal Tool, Way, Path, Method, by which all men will be capable of coming to God on the exact same terms; Jesus!

Next: “God Sent Jesus!”