Acts Chapter 10 - No Partiality: The Gospel for All People

Today we are studying Acts Chapter 10. In this chapter, we see a major turning point in the spread of the gospel. God reveals to Peter that salvation is not limited to one group of people but is available to all. Through a vision and divine direction, Peter is led to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, where the Holy Spirit is poured out. Acts 10:34–35 says, “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him.” This chapter reminds us that the gospel is for everyone.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:17

It's incredible to see how God's word continues to bring life and direction. This reminds me of Proverbs chapter 6, verse 23. For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light. Praise God that his word is lighting the way in 44 countries around the world. We want to take a moment to say hello to our listeners in Ellenwood, Georgia, United States.

SPEAKER_02 0:57

Welcome to Giving God Praise. This is a podcast where we walk through the entire Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter. Our desire is to discover not only what God's Word says, but what it means to praise God in our daily life. In each episode, we explore a promise to claim, a response to make, an attitude to change, an instruction to obey, a sin to confess, and an example to follow. So let's go ahead and grab our Bibles and dive into today's teaching. Today we are studying Acts chapter 10. In this chapter, we see a major turning point in the spread of the gospel. God reveals to Peter that salvation is not limited to one group of people, but is available to all. Through a vision and divine direction, Peter is led to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, where the Holy Spirit is poured out. Acts 10, 34-35 says, Now I really understand that God doesn't show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does righteousness is acceptable to him. This chapter reminds us that the gospel is for everyone. Let's begin reading Acts chapter 10. There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. About three in the afternoon, he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, Cornelius. Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, What is it, Lord? The angel told him, Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop about noon. Then he became hungry and wanted to eat. But while they were preparing something, he went into a visionary state. He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and the birds of the sky. Then a voice said to him, Get up, Peter, kill and eat. No Lord, Peter said, for I have never eaten anything common and ritually unclean. Again a second time, a voice said to him, What God has made clean, you must not call common. This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into heaven. While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon's house, stood at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. While Peter was thinking about the vision, the spirit told him, Three men are here looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men and said, Here I am, the one you're looking for. What is the reason you're here? They said, Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you. Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter helped him up and said, Stand up, I myself am also a man. While talking with him, he went on in, and found that many had come together there. Peter said to them, You know it's forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. That's why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I asked, Why did you send for me? Cornelius replied, Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me and said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God's sight. Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the Tanner's house by the sea. Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord. Then Peter began to speak. Now I really understand that God doesn't show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does righteousness is acceptable to him. He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all. You know the events that took place throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem. Yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree. God raised up this man on the third day and permitted him to be seen, not by all the people but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to solemnly testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they heard them speaking in other languages and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded, Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, 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 stay for a few days. Let's take a moment to pause and center our hearts on God. Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of Acts chapter 10 and the powerful reminder that your gospel is for all people. Thank you that you do not show favoritism, but offer salvation to anyone who believes. Lord, help us to see others the way you see them. Remove any bias or pride from our hearts. Teach us to share your truth with love and boldness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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SPEAKER_02 9:42

Now that we've read God's word and prepared our hearts in prayer, let's begin our praise study and listen to what God wants to say to our hearts today. In Acts chapter 10, we see a powerful promise to claim in the truth that salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus. God shows no partiality. This means that no one is excluded from his grace. No matter background, nationality, or past, anyone who believes can receive forgiveness. We also see the promise that God speaks and guides his people. He directed both Cornelius and Peter. This shows us that God is actively working to bring people to him. This promise gives us confidence that God is always at work behind the scenes. The response to make in this chapter is to obey God's leading and share the gospel with everyone. Peter had to step outside his comfort zone. He went to people he would not normally associate with. Our response should be the same. We are called to share the gospel without limits. We also respond by receiving others as God does. If God accepts them, we should too. This chapter calls us to respond with obedience and openness. We are called to change our attitude from partiality to acceptance. Peter had to change how he viewed others. We must do the same. We also need to change from tradition to truth. Peter's understanding was shaped by tradition, but God revealed something greater. We must be willing to let God reshape our thinking. Another attitude to change is from hesitation to obedience. Peter obeyed when God spoke. A changed attitude trusts God completely. The instruction to obey in this chapter is to go where God sends us and share the message of Jesus. We are instructed to listen to God's voice. We are also instructed to speak the truth clearly. Another instruction is to welcome others into the faith. Obedience means aligning our actions with God's heart. The sin to confess in this chapter is favoritism. If we treat people differently based on external factors, we are not reflecting God's heart. We must confess that. Another sin to confess is disobedience. If God calls us to go and we hesitate, we must bring that before Him. We also need to confess pride. Thinking we are better than others keeps us from sharing the gospel. Confession brings us back to humility and obedience. The example to follow in this chapter is Peter's obedience. He listened to God and stepped into something new. We also see Cornelius' faith. He sought God sincerely and responded when God spoke. These examples show us what it means to follow God fully. Acts chapter 10 reminds us that the gospel is for everyone. It calls us to remove barriers, obey God, and share his truth with all people. Take time today to reflect on your walk with God. Are you willing to go where he leads? Are you sharing the gospel with everyone? Are you seeing people the way God sees them? If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded that God's grace is for all. Let's close today by lifting our hearts together before the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that our listeners chose to spend their time with us in your word today. Thank you for the truth of Acts chapter 10 and the reminder that your love extends to all people. Lord, help us to obey your voice and to share your truth boldly. Give us hearts that reflect your love and humility. Strengthen us to follow you wherever you lead. We pray that this message would encourage every listener and draw them closer to you. May God bless you and keep you in his grace. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

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