*Acts 10:24-48
Peter overcomes his reservations and preaches to Cornelius’ household, resulting in the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized.
- Peter Meets Cornelius
- Peter arrives in Caesarea the following day and is welcomed by Cornelius, who had gathered his relatives and close friends to meet Peter.
- As Peter enters, Cornelius meets him, falls at his feet, and worships him, but Peter lifts him up, saying he is just a man.
- As Peter talks with Cornelius, he enters the house and finds many people assembled.
- Peter Addresses the Gathering
- Peter explains that it is against Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile, but God has shown him that he should not call anyone impure or unclean.
- He asks Cornelius why he was sent for, and Cornelius recounts his vision of the angel instructing him to summon Peter, emphasizing that they are all present to listen to what the Lord has commanded Peter to say.
- Peter’s Message
- Peter begins to speak, realizing truly that God shows no favoritism, but accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
- He shares the message about Jesus Christ—His life, death, and resurrection—and declares that all the prophets testify about Him, that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
- The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
- While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit comes on all who hear the message, surprising the Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
- They hear them speaking in tongues and praising God.
- Peter then asks if anyone could withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as they have.
- He orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they ask him to stay for a few days.
Acts 10:24-48 teaches us that God welcomes everyone who believes in Him, no matter their background. Peter realized that God’s love isn’t just for one group of people but for all who seek Him. This reminds us to treat others with the same love and acceptance, avoiding judgment or favoritism. We can apply this by being open to building relationships with people who are different from us and sharing God’s message with kindness and humility. Just as God changed Peter’s perspective, He can also help us see others through His eyes.
Acts 10:24-48 (WEB)
10:24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 28 He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean. 29 Therefore I also came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— 37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised him up the third day and gave him to be revealed, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. 45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.