ETB Acts 10:34-48

Session 12 - p.109 - Including

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Vision

Saul DeVries was a billionaire who made his fortune during the Great Depression. Born of immigrant parents, he grew up in poverty. But as a young adult he had an idea, a vision of how he might become a rich man. Realizing that in the Depression years, people were unable to buy new appliances or to remodel their kitchens and bathrooms, DeVries decided what was needed was a single product that would clean appliances and keep things sparkling. So he invented an all-purpose cleaner, the first of its kind, called Spic and Span®. It sold well throughout the years of the Depression and continues to do so today. Saul DeVries made billions from his vision and literally cleaned up!

So, too, in our text, Peter had a vision dealing with cleanliness. Unlike Saul DeVries, Peter would not become a rich man materially. He would, however, become wealthy spiritually. And the entire Gentile world would become the beneficiary.

When you hear people talk about “inclusion” what comes to your mind? What do they usually mean?

Ask: How does a person’s definition of inclusion impact how they understand Jesus and His church? (PSG, p. 109)

Understand the Context

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). [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

Explore the Text

Acts 10:34–36 ESV

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

God shows no partiality

Deut 10:17 - wealthy or impoverished

2Chr 19:7 - just or unjust

Eph 6:9 - whether you employ or are employed

Col 3:25 - right or wrong

Gal 2:6 - influential or overlooked

How is “partiality” or “favoritism” defined in this text?

Divided by “nations”, Israel vs. All

Peter is acknowledge his perceptions about nationalities did not align with God’s and accepted God’s pattern now revealed to him both in his vision and now in practice. We too must seek God’s perspective in our thought patterns and adjust them to His when they are in error.

The New Bible Commentary 10:1–11:18 Peter, Cornelius and the Gentile Question

Jesus had told his disciples that they would ‘make disciples of all nations’ (Mt. 28:19), but they must have thought that it included making them Jews first.

Peter is realizing that the command to take the gospel “to the ends of the earth” was not about the dispersed Jews, but to all the rest of the people groups on the the planet.

This national partiality between Jews and Gentiles is what the rest of the text is focused on but this was a totally new concept to those present.

Ask: Why might these men feel prejudice toward one another?

When we “perceive” a difference between us and another person, we make a choice based on that distinction. What if we did not "perceive” a difference?

Someone asked the actor Morgan Freeman, “How do we stop racism?”, his response was “Stop talking about it.” The more we dwell on the differences between “us” and “them” the more likely we are to form ungodly preferences.

Question: Why might some people feel someone is excluded from God’s salvation offer? What response should we make when someone thinks he or she is beyond hope and cannot be saved? (PSG, p. 112)

In 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. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

him who - does what is right

more literally, “does righteousness”

Who determines what is “right”?

This is not a statement about receiving salvation and redemption, but one of its availability.

Acts Chapter 10

The doctrine may be thus stated. (1) The barrier between the Jews and Gentiles was broken down. (2) All men thus were placed on a level—none to be saved by external privileges, none to be lost by the want of them. (3) All were guilty (Ro. 1, 2, 3), and none had a claim on God. (4) If any were saved, it would be by God’s showing mercy on such of this common mass as he chose. See Ro. 3:22; 10:12; 2:11; Ga. 2:6; comp. with Ro. 9 and Ep. 1.

the word that he sent to Israel

Peter knows that those he is speaking to have not been trained in the Jewish ways as he had and may not have had personal access to the Torah and the Prophets, so instead of directly quoting verses (which they would not recognize) Peter “alludes” to several Scriptures in his sermon. Similar to a “contextual” translation of the Scripture like the Living Bible, verses a more literal translation or even a Greek New Testament. He gives them concepts and truths of God’s Word that they can recognize and grasp, maybe even do some personal study on later.

Psalm 147:19 “19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.”

Nahum 1:15 “15 Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.”

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). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

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. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Acts 10:37–43 ESV

37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He 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 that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

you yourselves know

Peter also makes sure that the information they have heard matches in the truths that he witnessed.

Clearly defining terminology and concepts to those you are going to share the gospel with is extremely important as it could lead to false beliefs or worse.

What happened

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. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

having begun in Galilee

Acts Chapter 10

Galilee was not far from Cesarea. There was, therefore, the more probability that Cornelius had heard of what had occurred there. Indeed, the gospels themselves furnish the highest evidence that the fame of the miracles of Christ spread into all the surrounding regions.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth

This phrasing is the same that Luke uses for Jesus describing himself

Luke 4:18 “18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,”

Isaiah had also prophetically written down in Isa 61:1 but since Jesus is God, who is eternal, the prophet was quoting Jesus, as “it was written” before time began.

for God was with him

This is Peter’s final allusion, but to a more recent event. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was sent from God when he met within that fateful evening recorded in John 3.

John 3:2 “2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.””

As “God fearing” people, this would be the authentication of the testimony Peter was giving about Christ from Scripture, and now moves into more personal accounts.

They put him to death

Who is the “they” referring to in this verse?

We know it is technically the Romans, but Peter does not say “you” to the centurion.

There is an implied shared knowledge that Cornelius knows it was the Jewish religious leaders who were the practical and political culprits for this death.

but God

Peter uses this in each of his Acts sermons. Man has plans, but God thwarts them.

made him to appear

The word for “appear” in the Greek has more than a visual aspect to it. It is sometimes translated as “manifest” which is close to the intent for western readers. Peter explains more fully the meaning at the end of the next verse.

to us who had been chosen

The Greek word used for “chosen” implies a predetermined selection, they were “appointed beforehand”. The 12 +1 were chosen to be these witnesses before they were born or Christ came to earth to “call” them.

The Life Principles Bible Chapter 10

After His resurrection, Jesus did not appear to Pilate, or to Herod, or to Annas, or to Caiaphas, or to those who crucified Him. He appeared only to those who loved Him. The rest will one day appear before Him.

ate and drank with him after he rose

Peter reinforces the theology of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. You cannot eat and drink “with” a mere apparition or image. “With” implies that the Lord was participating in the meal and not just observing. Jesus was fully “manifested” in body and spirit for 50 days after the crucifixion.

To him all the prophets bear witness

Jeremiah 31:34 “34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.””

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. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

everyone who believes

rejection does not negate salvation’s availability [ETB:PSG Spr'24]

Peter had used this phrase in his last 3 sermons, but this time it was much more inclusive. The truth of who salvation is offered to from Peter’s perspective has now changed from being exclusively Jewish, but from God’s perspective it has always been for all nationalities, ethnicities, social ranks, and genders.

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

While Peter was still saying these things

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Ten: Peter’s Miracle Ministry (Acts 9:32–10:48)

Peter was just getting started in his message when his congregation believed and the Holy Spirit interrupted the meeting (Acts 11:15). God the Father interrupted Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:4–5), and God the Son interrupted him in the matter of the temple tax (Matt. 17:24–27). Now, God the Spirit interrupted him—and Peter never was able to finish his sermon! Would that preachers today had interruptions of this kind!

the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word

This is a direct blessing from God. Up until this point, the Holy Spirit was only given to those at Pentecost or by the laying of hands.

Acts 8:15–17 “15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Even in this account those that did receive it were not Gentiles, but Samarians - half Jews.

was poured out even on the Gentiles

Peter’s own Sermon in Acts 2 in explaining to those who hear the first Pentecostal movement now have a fuller meaning. When the people heard the utterances and claimed they were drunk, the apostle quoted Joel 2.

Acts 2:17–18 “17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

I wonder if now hearing and seeing this prophecy fulfilled before him if Peter thought Christ’s return was even more imminent?

speaking in tongues and extolling God

This is the ultimate test for speaking “in tongues.”

Who gets the glory and praise for what is being said and done?

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 10

Without exception, in every biblical reference, tongues are directed to God to give praise and adoration and exaltation to Him. They are never directed to man, never a message for man. Tongues are always used to praise God.

If it cause you to think more highly of the person speaking the “utterances” then it is not the Holy Spirit doing the speaking. He will not share His glory with another. If God is not getting the glory, honor and praise, then the source is His enemy.

Maybe it these kinds of “tongues” of man/enemy that James was alluding to in his letter.

James 3:5 “5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”

James 3:10 “10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Like at the Pentecost in Chapter 2, these utterances praising God were a miracle of God to authenticate His work and will being done in those “speaking.”

who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have

The “we” is linked back to “these people” meaning Gentiles. I do not think that there were any other people from the original Pentecost present with Peter in Cornelius’ house, only other Jewish believers. I also think that this event would not in the presence of anyone that had not been a first hand witness to the Pentecost event back in Chapter 2. It’s validation would require such testimony. God graciously added another layer of authenticity by allowing it to be Peter, the leader of the apostles. It could have happened for any of the others, but by being Peter the others would be less resistant since they all acknowledge his leadership, even Paul later on.

baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

Part of becoming a Jewish proselyte by a Gentile would involve being baptized at the Temple in Jerusalem. However, even then they would not had “full rights” as a Jew, only their children would. They would also be baptized in the name of Jehovah, or Yahweh. By Peter specifying they be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” they fully united to the “church” without any other rituals or process.

they asked him to remain

I think this is further validation of this households spiritual change. They wanted to hear more and learn all they could. How many people have you heard of being baptized one Sunday and not seen again a month or so later? There may have been a commitment, but the desire to hear from God consistently is not apparent.

Apply the Text

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. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Pray: We would reflect God’s all-encompassing love in our attitudes and actions toward every person. Ask God to reveal Himself and to help us adjust our lives to what He shows us. Thank God for the privilege of sharing His love with others.