The Gospel and Words (Again)

Acts 10:34-37 & 43

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. 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 . . .

“To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

D. A. Carson, For the Love of God (Vol. 1)

Kosher Jews were always nervous in a Gentile home—but here God sends Peter not only to spend time in a nonkosher Gentile home, but to preach the Gospel there. Initially, no one is more surprised than Peter (10:28-29, 34), but it is not long before he swings into a full-orbed presentation of the Gospel to these Gentiles. Even while Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit descends on this Gentile household as he had descended on the Jews at Pentecost, and no one is more surprised that Peter and the Jews traveling with him (10:45-47).

The initial impetus to cross lines of race and heritage with the Gospel of Jesus Christ arose not from a committee planning world evangelization, but from God himself (July 23).

Aaron Orendorff,

Peter’s gospel presentation (tailor to this particular situation) unfolds in three parts. First, the nature of God: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.” Second, the “words” of Jesus’ story: “you yourselves know what happened . . . .” Third, the application of those words: “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The verbal (or word-bound) nature of the gospel is again powerfully stressed. Cornelius asks to “hear” (33) and Peter open his “mouth” (34). V. 44 then concludes, “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.”