BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Peter says to the Roman centurion Cornelius as God reaches out to the Gentiles in the Book of Acts…
Thereupon Peter spoke up: “Indeed it is clear to me that God is not swayed by a person’s status, but receives any, from whatever people they are, who fear Him and are in pursuit of justice. This then is the message He sent to the children of Israel by having Good News of peace proclaimed to them by Jesus Christ – He it is who is Lord of (us) all – that you here all know was announced across all Judea, first from Galilee with John’s baptism, how Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit’s power and how He went about doing good and healing those whose lives had been oppressed by the devil, because God was (indeed) with Him. And we are the witnesses of all the things He did in the Jewish countryside, and in Jerusalem. And it is He who indeed they killed, hanging Him on a tree. This is the same one God raised on the third day, making it possible for Him to be seen, not to all the people, but to witnesses previously picked out by God (to do so). And so it was these with whom He ate and drank after He rose again from the grave. And this He commanded us to bear witness (with our lives) that this is the One designated by God who is to judge the living and the dead. It is to this man that all the prophets bear witness, that every person believing in Him may receive forgiveness of sins in His name.” – (Acts 10-34-43/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
EVERYONE: “National background makes no difference. The promise and the gift are freely available. Forgiveness of sins is for all who believe,” writes Bruce C Wearne. PICTURE: George Woodapple
IN A NUTSHELL
This is Peter’s sermon to a Gentile household.
Peter said that Cornelius knew about Jesus. It seems that Cornelius already had an accurate understanding of both John the Baptist and Jesus. (My hunch is that if Cornelius is not the Roman centurion of Luke 7:1-10, this man had heard of his fellow soldier’s experience of Jesus of Nazareth). Peter did not have to tell Cornelius things he didn’t know already. Peter’s sermon, however, confirmed to Cornelius what he needed to hear (and what we still need to hear). He needed to hear of God’s forgiveness so that he could be baptised.
The address gives us a good idea of Peter’s understanding of the work Jesus had given Him to do. This work is about God’s openness to all people, the fulfilment of the message God specially gave to Israel. This message of God’s mercy has now been fully revealed in God’s Son, and our response can only be that our lives are opened up to each other. It is acceptable, right and proper, that faith in God’s mercy lead the way as God’s people relate to people of every nation who fear Him and do what is right. God’s law enables His people to be generous.
Peter was coming to terms with the momentous impact of this message. God’s Spirit was leading him to tell Cornelius’ household that because Jesus Christ has come, they are spiritually joined as His people. The Holy Spirit made this visit possible. National background makes no difference. The promise and the gift are freely available. Forgiveness of sins is for all who believe.
Peter explained how this Good News changes forever the relations between Jew and Gentile. Jesus, he said, may not have appeared to everyone, but after His resurrection He appeared to those specially chosen to be His witnesses; this is confirmed in the fact that He ate and drank with them. God’s Great High Priest had made atonement for sins. Says Peter: “By eating and drinking with us in the days after His resurrection He confirmed that there are to be no “common” or “unclean” witnesses.” (Luke has already told us that Jesus ate with them even while they disbelieved! – Luke 24:41). The Holy Spirit opened the way for Peter to visit the centurion’s house in Caesarea to explain God’s mercy. This event became part of the ongoing discussion among Jesus’ followers about the right way for Jews and Gentiles to relate to each other.
Got a verse or a short passage you’d like us to look at? Just send an email to [email protected].
