Divine Acceptance
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See Acts 10:34-48
Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He be revealed, not to all the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and to testify solemnly that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Introduction
Kathleen Peterson tells a story about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and other of Boston's first families. His recommendation was given without hesitation. Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: "We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work." Neither is God a respecter of persons but accepts those from every family, nation, and race who fear Him and work for His kingdom
Context of the Text
Acts repeatedly demonstrates that the gospel involves unexpected reversals. The scene at Pentecost (Acts 2) with its depiction of people from various languages understanding the good news of Jesus in their own tongues, reverses the confusion of human language at Babel (Gen 11:7). And it is Saul the Pharisee, the leading persecutor of the church, who becomes known as the apostle to the Gentiles. And it is the Gentiles who themselves are a surprise inclusion in God’s people (Acts 10:45; 11:18).
The text before us today emphasizes that God is not prejudice and that salvation through Jesus is not just for some; it’s for everyone. Let’s look at this text for an Understanding of God’s impartiality, The Principle of Divine Acceptance, and Living out God’s acceptance.
I. Understanding God's impartiality
The text says that Peter opened his mouth and said: I most certainly understand now that God does not show partiality but in every nation that the one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Luke clues us in on how Peter arrived at this conclusion. In Chapter 9 the narrative cuts away from the conversion of Saul of tarsus and returns to Peter. We discover from verse 32 that Peter's ministry involved traveling through the regions of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. It eventually led him down to the saints who lived at Lydda where he healed Aeneas from paralysis, and from there, he went to Joppa, where he raised Tabitha from the dead. It was in Joppa, at the house so Simon the Tanner, that God would begin to teach Peter about His impartiality.
Chapter 10 introduces a new character to the story: a man named Cornelius. Cornelius lived in Caesarea and had impressive credentials. He was a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort. But more than that, he was a devout man who feared God with all his household, made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually.
Although Peter and Cornelius had never met and were different in so many ways, there were a few things they had in common. What stands out first and foremost for me is that they were men of prayer. Cornelius was praying in Caesarea and Peter was praying in Joppa. It appears that the prayer of Cornelius is the reason for the vision of Peter.
The text says that it was on “the next day,” after Cornelius prayed and dispatched messengers to Joppa, that Peter went up on the rooftop at about the sixth hour to pray, but he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while he was waiting, he fell into a trance; And he saw a vision of a large sheep being lowered to the ground with all kinds of animals and birds. He heard a voice telling him to get up, kill, and eat! Although Peter contested the command, he was instructed to no longer consider what God has cleansed, as unholy.
In verse 17 we read that Peter didn't understand the vision. But while he was deliberating his dilemma, the messengers from Cornelius arrived. As the messengers disclosed the reason for their visit, the Lord instructed him to go with them without reservation. At Caesarea, he was greeted by Cornelius and a waiting congregation. When Cornelius shared his experience during prayer, the lights came on for Peter and he arrived at an understanding of God's impartiality. Peter realized that God's love and salvation are available to everyone, regardless of their background or status.
Mohandas K. Gandhi was the leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule and considered the father of his country. He is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolence to achieve political and social progress.
Gandhi says in his autobiography that in his student days he was truly interested in the Bible. Deeply touched by reading the Gospels, he seriously considered becoming a convert, since Christianity seemed to offer the real solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. One Sunday, he went to a nearby church to attend services. He decided to see the minister and ask for instruction in the way of salvation and enlightenment on other doctrines. But when he entered the sanctuary, the ushers refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go and worship with his own people. Gandhi left and never came back. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said to himself, “I might as well remain a Hindu.”
Understanding God’s impartiality causes us to reflect on our own biases and to seek to see others through God's eyes, without favoritism. The old song teaches: “Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently.”
II. The Principle of Divine Acceptance
It is only possible to look at others differently as we understand God’s impartiality. Such an understanding reveals to us the principle of divine acceptance. Divine acceptance is God’s gracious favor shown both to Israel and to the Gentiles. Peter says: “God does not show partiality, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.” In other words, God is not partial, but He is principled. By principled, I mean, He acts in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong: God accepts people who respect (fear) Him and does what is right.
If we were questioned about what we thought was the biggest problem in the world today, some would say political corruption, some would list socio-economic disparages, others might suggest the rise of bigotry and hatred, and the list might go on and on. But, when I attempt to answer that question, I feel like the biggest problem in the world today is the absence of the fear of God.
The Bible uses numerous words to denote fear. The most common of these (giving the noun forms) are Heb. yir’â, ‘reverence’; Heb. paḥaḏ, dread’, ‘fear’; Gk. phobos, ‘fear’, ‘terror’.
Peter’s comment, “but in every nation the one who fears Him,” suggest the idea of Godly or Holy fear. Holy fear is God-given, enabling men to reverence God’s authority, obey his commandments and hate and shun all form of evil (Je. 32:40; cf. Gn. 22:12; Heb. 5:7). It is, moreover, the beginning (or principle) of wisdom (Ps. 111:10); the secret of uprightness (Pr. 8:13); a feature of the people in whom God delights (Ps. 147:11); and the whole duty of man (Ec. 12:13).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever.
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His faithfulness.
The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
There are a whole lot of people claiming to be “walking in the fear of the Lord” but have no respect for Him. Peter does not simply stop with that first clause, but he adds that Fearing or respecting God requires some action. “He says: but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.”
In his letter to the Romans, Paul talks about God’s impartiality and the Principle of Divine Acceptance.
Therefore you have no excuse, you foolish person, everyone of you who passes judgment; for in that matter in which you judge someone else, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things, and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will repay each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life; but to those who are self-serving and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, He will give wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of mankind who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek, but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who does what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
What a blessing to have been extended His kindness and restraint and patience that led us to repentance. We all could confess that we are not worthy of the least of all of His blessing, but when we on the outside, he made us accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:6). Therefore, we should be…
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
III. Living Out God’s Acceptance
In Christian theology, salvation is understood as a gift of grace from God, and it is not earned solely by human actions or adherence to principles, such as fearing God and doing what is right. While it is true that the Bible teaches that fearing God and doing what is right are important aspects of a faithful life, they are not sufficient for salvation. Salvation is ultimately a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death and resurrection make it possible for us to be reconciled with God.
And so, this narrative says to us as it said to Cornelius, that it is Jesus who makes us accepted by God. Peter went on to tell Cornelius and his family and friends (Acts 10:36-44):
The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He be revealed, not to all the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and to testify solemnly that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
I believe that Luke wanted us to communicate that it is not because people are God-fearing, charitable, or religiously devotional that God accepts them.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we see some notable examples where Jesus showed acceptance to all, regardless of their social status, background, or sins:
The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42)
Healing the Centurion's Servant (Matthew 8:5-13)
The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11)
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10)
Healing of the Leper (Matthew 8:1-4)
The Canaanite Woman's Daughter (Matthew 15:21-28)
These examples highlight Jesus demonstrating that God's love and acceptance are for all people.
When we come to realize that divine acceptance is provided by a Principled God, we ought to live out these principles in our daily lives, demonstrating justice, kindness, and humility. Micah 6:8 marks out those steps for us.
Do Justly (Justice)
Love Mercy (Kindness)
Walk Humbly with thy God (Humility)
Conclusion:
Well, Cornelius and his household experienced divine acceptance. The text says that as Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon those who were in the room. If that leaves you baffled and bewildered today, you are not alone, the text says that those Jews with Peter were amazed too. But let me suggest that your bewilderment ought to inspire you to live out your acceptance by getting rid of favoritism, prejudice, and partiality .
John 3:16 says that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The text teaches us that understanding God’s Impartiality is the beginning to our embracing the principle of Divine Acceptance. We recognize that he accepted us, we should live out that acceptance in our lives by being impartial to others. At the end of the day, we are all God’s children:
All Shades Of Color Vanished
A weary teacher fell asleep and had a dream. A message had arrived that the Master was coming, and to her was appointed the task of getting all the little children ready for Him. So she arranged them on benches in tiers, putting the little white children first, nearest to where the Master would stand, then the little yellow, red, and brown children, and far back the black children.
When all were arranged, she looked, and it did not seem quite right to her. Why should the black children be so far away? They ought perhaps to be on the front benches. She started to rearrange them, but just as all was in confusion, footsteps were heard; it was the Master’s tread. He was coming before the children were ready. To think that the task entrusted to her had not been accomplished in time!
The footsteps drew near, and she was obliged to look up. Lo, as her eyes rested on the children all shades of color and difference had vanished: the little children in the Master’s presence were all alike.
—Christian Herald
The song reminds us:
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red, yellow, black, and white,
They’re all precious in His sight.
