Day 1110: Even on the gentiles! - Acts 10 vs 33 - 48

34-35 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

36-38 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 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. 39-41 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, but God raised him on the third day and caused him to appear, 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. 42-43 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. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44-46 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 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. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. 47-48 Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Acts 10:33-48 English Standard Version

What was the great truth that Peter came to know for sure that day? (vs 34-35)

That God is impartial! People from every nation who fear Him, and do what is right, are acceptable to Him. Paul came to the same conclusion when he wrote “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, He will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honour and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” Romans 2:6-10

Does that mean people can be saved without Christ?

I would say not, because Paul also said that 'all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24) And so we see that Peter began to preach the good news of peace through Jesus Christ to the household of Cornelius. He tells of His life, His death, and His resurrection, and how he and the other apostles could testify that Jesus was appointed by God to be the judge of all mankind. And Peter said:“To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name!”

Even as Peter spoke these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word, as He had done on the day of Pentecost. The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed! The good news which had been sent to Israel (vs 36), was now been welcomed by gentiles. And so Peter called for Cornelius and his household to be baptised. I said before that Pentecost was unique, and not a pattern for all who are converted. But here it was repeated because gentiles were now coming into the kingdom of God. And we can say with Paul: “I am not ashamed of the gospel - for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first - and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)