God's Revelation

Acts 10:27-33 Talking with Cornelius, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
 
WHEN the Gentile, Cornelius, welcomed Peter into his home, Peter took a big faith step into a new mission field. The brothers who traveled with him from Joppa would quickly report Peter’s action to the church in Jerusalem. Many would see this work among the Gentiles as an abomination before the LORD. Gentiles were unclean, impure in the law’s sight.
   But God had awakened Peter to understand the true meaning of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The world is not just the Jews. The world is God’s creation throughout the globe. Mankind’s sin at Babel (Genesis 11) caused God to send his people into all regions of the earth. But in his grace, God promised Abram in Genesis 12:3 “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” The cross became the center point of God blessing the world with Jesus’ redemptive death, resurrection and ascension. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
   Peter now understands what God is doing: Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
 
When Peter said to the Gentiles, “You know.” he indicated the news of Jesus’ life was common knowledge among all people in Judea. Jesus’ life was such a magnificent display of God’s glory on earth, all spoke of Jesus’ work. Even if they did not believe he is the true Son of God, people talked about him! And this is still true of all the world today.      
   Let’s pray people will know how the true Jesus. They will faithfully respond to his salvation.