34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began 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 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Beginning in verse 34, Peter speaks to his six friends and Cornelius’ household about God’s impartiality toward Gentiles. Peter and his believing Jews were God’s chosen witnesses to the inauguration of Gentiles into the body of Christ.
10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
When Peter said, “In truth I perceive,” it means that what he saw proved that God had accepted Gentiles for salvation.
The word “partiality” is from a Greek word that only occurs once in the New Testament, although we find synonyms in Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; James 2:1. God does not favor any group of people over another. He excludes no one to come to Him. Salvation has nothing to do with one’s ethnic background or culture. This statement by Peter was revolutionary to the Jews, who perceived themselves as God’s chosen people. They were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament, but God moved to a new economy of dealing with His people.
10:35
But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Verse 35 is not a statement about how people become believers, but that God offers salvation to any national entity that is open to the gospel. The words “every nation” stands emphatic in the original language. God accepts every national entity that fears God and works righteousness. God will give the gospel to those with positive volition toward God.
10:36
The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
God is not only God of the Jews, but He is God of any ethnic people. He initially chose Israel as a nation, but now He opens salvation to Jews and Gentiles; “He is Lord of all.”
“Peace” here is the resolution of man’s relationship to God (Isa 52:7; Ro 5:1); it is the point where the person receives God’s favor by salvation through Christ.
10:37
that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
Peter here recounts a summary of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He starts with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This baptism was Jesus’ inauguration as the Messiah. The baptism of Jesus is very different from believer’s baptism.
10:38
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.
The anointing of Jesus was God’s declaration of Him as the Messiah at His baptism (Isa 6:1-3; Lu 4:16-21; Acts 4:27; Jn 1:32-34). At that point, the Holy Spirit came upon the humanity of Jesus of Nazareth with power. The humanity of Jesus obtained His power from the Holy Spirit. People saw that God was “with Him.”
10:39
And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
The “tree” is the cross upon which the Romans hung Jesus. In biblical parlance, this is the place where Jesus was cursed and paid for the sins of mankind. By doing that, He satisfied the penalty of the law and God’s nature (Isa 53:5; Zech 12:10; Gal 3:13-14)
10:40
Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
The resurrection of Jesus was apparent to all who were there (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:41; 13:30-31).
10:41
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Peter here indicates that Jesus’ bodily resurrection was not a phantom but an actual body with Whom he and others “ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead” (Jn 21:13). Peter and others personally witnessed Jesus’ resurrection.
10:42
And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
The Father ordained Jesus as the Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 17:31; 2 Ti 4:1; 1 Pe 4:5; Re 20). He is sovereign over the living and the dead.
10:43
To Him all the prophets witness that,
The Old Testament prophets witnessed God’s revelation of Jesus and His future ministry (Isa 53:11; Jer 31:34; Ezek 36:25-26). Revelation about Jesus Christ is not new to the New Testament. This verse concludes Peter’s speech with a reference to Old Testament prophets. These prophets were the first to prophesy about Jesus (Ps 22:1f; Isa 52:13-53; Zech 11:4-14).
through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission [forgiveness] of sins.”
The operating term for salvation is “believes.” The key to the redemption of the soul is to believe in the person and work of Jesus. Anyone who exercises that faith will receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38; 26:18). On the authority of Christ’s “name,” people can know they have forgiveness from God.
PRINCIPLE:
The gospel is universal.
APPLICATION:
God has no favorites. He designed the gospel for everyone. The church consists of every ethnic people in the world (Ro 2:11; Eph 2:11-22; Col 3:25; Jas 2:1; 1 Pe 1:17).
The appearance of Jesus to Peter and other apostles is a crucial doctrinal item to note. Jesus’ appearance to the apostles after His resurrection demonstrates their unique authority, an authority that is above prophets, ministers, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Apostles had the authority to write Scripture and found the church because they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and resurrection.
