Title: Missional Gospel: Cornelius Part 3
Scripture: Acts 10:34-48
Date: 10132019
Bible Version: NKJV

BOTTOM LINE: The grace of God shows no partiality.

Vs. 34

Then Peter opened his mouth - Prior to this point, Cornelius had explained to Peter, the interaction he had with the angel. He explained how he was obedient to what he was instructed to do, he sent three people over to Joppa to find Peter and to bring him back to Caesarea. Now it was Peter’s turn to speak.

I perceive that God shows no partiality - Peter makes a bold statement. He declares that he perceives that God shows no partiality. One could say that Peter finally understood (to some degree) what the vision he had on the rooftop was about.

Christianity was the first religion to disregard racial, cultural and national limitations. —Guzik

Vs. 35

Whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him- Whoever fears the Lord and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Vs. 36

Jesus Christ–He is Lord of all - Peter was right in declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Even to the Gentiles.

Vs. 37

began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached - Peter would state that the ministry of Jesus began in Galilee with his baptisms.

Vs. 38

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power - Peter would then point to the fact that Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil - Peter would then highlight that Jesus would go about doing good and healing all who were oppressed.

Vs. 39

We are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and Jerusalem - He includes himself, the 6 others with him, and many others as the witnesses. Jesus did amazing things in both the land of Jews and in Jerusalem.

They killed by hanging on a tree - Peter then explains that Jesus was killed. Cornelius would know exactly how he would have died.

Vs. 40

God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly - Peter, then shared the most incredible news. Jesus was raised up on the third day. Not only did He defeat death, but there were others who saw Him.

Vs. 41

To us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead- Peter communicates that Jesus was back in the flesh as He was able to eat and drink with others.

Vs. 42

He commanded us to preach to the people - Jesus was not only back in the flesh, but He also gave a command to preach to the people. That is, to testify to the fact that Jesus defeated death.

Vs. 43

Whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins- Peter ends this brief sermon with a firm understanding of the depth of God’s promise of salvation. Salvation is for anyone who would believe in Jesus.

Results of Peter’s Preaching: Vs. 34-43
1. It involved the impartiality of the Lord. Vs. 34-35
2. It involved the peace of the Lord. Vs. 36-37
3. It involved the anointing of the Lord. Vs. 38
4. It involved death of the Lord. Vs. 39
5. It involved the resurrection of the Lord. Vs. 40
6. It involved the appearance of the Lord. Vs. 41-42
7. It involved the forgiveness of our Lord. Vs. 43

Vs. 44

The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word - Upon sharing the good news with these Gentiles, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

Salvation came when each one of these Gentiles responded to Peter’s message with believing faith in their hearts, so that they were actually born again as they listened and believed. —Spurgeon

Vs. 45

Those of the circumcision who believed were astonished - The six people who came with Peter must have been in shock. Not only did they see how Peter included the Gentiles in God’s plan for the salvation of His people, but they also witnessed for the first time to the inclusion of Gentiles in the ranks of the Church.

All before this, a Gentile could certainly trust in Jesus as Messiah and receive the forgiveness of sins that Jesus won for them at the cross. Yet in doing so, he would first have to become a Jew, and then continue on in the Jewish ritual law. —Guzik

For the first time ever there was no Jew or Gentile, there was simply the Church.

The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles- We see that the Holy Spirit came into them as believers, and now we see that the Holy Spirit would fall upon them.

Vs. 46

They heard them speak with tongues and magnify God - The result of the Holy Spirit falling upon them was them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.

Their audience was singular in focus(on God alone).

The conversion of these Gentiles was entirely of God. No one should ever view these with old prejudices and consider these new converts as second-class Christians.

Vs. 47-48

He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord - Peter would subsequently baptize them as believers.

Three Things The Gentile Believers Experience: Vs. 44-48
1.They received the Holy Spirit. Vs. 44-45
2. The Holy Spirit came upon them. Vs. 46
3. They were baptized with water. Vs. 48

Even good people, who are respectful towards God, still need to come to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. —Guzik

God shows no partiality.