“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality” - this was Peter’s response when he realized the Gospel was not just for the people of Israel, but Gentiles too—and Jewish people did not like Gentiles! It also reflects the fact that humans are guilty of showing partiality. God wants Christians to be separate from the world not by avoiding, but by being different from the world in how we treat others who don’t know Jesus, especially those we would otherwise avoid.

In Acts 10, God shows no partiality in three ways. First, He moves heaven and earth to reach the lost. Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, was a devout man who feared God. Despite being a gentile, God sent an Angel to let Cornelius know He heard his prayers and saw his right living, but also knew Cornelius needed to hear the Gospel. Being devout is not enough; sinners need to be saved. God had just the right person to talk to him. This leads to the second point. 

God calls unlikely people—you and me—to be agents of reaching the lost. God chose Peter, of all people, to bear witness of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Peter’s last memories of a Roman Centurion would have been those who mocked and tortured Jesus. God knew this would be hard for Peter, so he gave him a vision, and told him not to “hesitate” to go to Cornelius. Peter obeyed God instead of his own prejudices (and man-made laws). This leads to the third and final point.

God reaches the lost through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When speaking to Cornelius, Peter did not boast in himself (his recent miracles recorded in ch 9). He shared Jesus with Cornelius, and all who were with him. Peter knew only Jesus has the power to save and transform lives. “Everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sin through his name.”

Take Home Questions:

1) If you are a Christian, who is God asking you to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that you say, “Surely no, Lord”? Who is it that makes you hesitate? Be encouraged by Peter’s example, and ask God to give you faith and love for this person/these persons.

2) Perhaps you are like Cornelius. You are a religious and devout person, but you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Would you consider confessing your sin and professing faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior today?