David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 10:34-48

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Instant replay has become a regular feature of televised sports. More recently we have come to expect that controversial calls will undergo video review by the referees. Some of them looking into a hooded display on the side of the field. Others remotely reviewing the plays. The goal is to make certain that what actually happened determines the call. Did he step out of bounds? Was she offsides when she got the ball and scored? It shouldn’t left be up to a fickle or biased umpire. If it’s a three-pointer, it should yield three points.

Peter speaks to the people in Caesarea about the impartiality of God. His message is direct and clear: God shows no partiality. He says, “In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Every nation. Anyone. Fear God and do what is right, you are acceptable to God.

This would be a challenging message to the Jews of Peter’s day. The Jewish people were convinced that they had special privilege before God. They were the chosen people. They were precious to God. Theirs were the prophets. Theirs was the law. Theirs was the covenant. But now God was reaching beyond bloodline and ancestry. Not just the Jewish nation, but every nation. Not just certain ones, anyone.

But this would be good news to these here in Cornelius’ household. “Every nation” and “anyone” included them all. And the basis for this was and is the ministry of Jesus. He brings peace. He is Lord of all. He did good to those who were oppressed. “And he commanded [them] to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.“

I wonder, however, if their reaction might be like my own, and maybe yours as well. We know we’ve got a problem. We don’t always fear God and do what is right. We are all too aware of our sins in thought, word, and deed. The idea of being judged totally impartially is maybe not totally welcome. We’d prefer not to be shown that we stepped out of bounds, were offsides, or didn’t make the play. A totally impartial judgment might not be what we want.

Thank God Peter reminds us that, “everyone who believes in [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” The judgment for our sins fell on Jesus. He fulfilled all righteousness for us. All who believe in him are justified by his death and resurrection. That’s grace. We all need grace. Jesus is full of grace and truth. Whoever believes in him will be saved.