No favourites
The book of Acts records this statement by the apostle Peter,
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Long story short. Until this point most if not all those who came to believe in Jesus were Jews. This however changes when a God fearing Roman centurion get a vision from God telling him to seek out the apostle Peter and hear what he has to say.
The apostle Peter a devout Jew who’d been taught from birth to not do anything against the Jewish food laws and traditions also received a vision.
The book of acts records,
“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Act 10:9-20.
Peter went with the men to meet Cornelius and his household, where he told them about Jesus Christ. It was at that point Peter realized that the gospel of Jesus Christ was for all people. The book of acts noting,
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Jesus before His ascension into heaven said to the disciples,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
The word we translate in English as nation actually means “ethnic group” thus Jesus was making it clear to his disciples that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was meant to be heard by every ethnic group in the world. Something that it seems became real to the apostle Peter when he met Cornelius.
This is something true Christians today believe to be true. The salvation and eternal life Christ Jesus offers is open to everyone on the planet.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Romans 10:9-13
Please think about it.
The book of Acts records this statement by the apostle Peter,
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Long story short. Until this point most if not all those who came to believe in Jesus were Jews. This however changes when a God fearing Roman centurion get a vision from God telling him to seek out the apostle Peter and hear what he has to say.
The apostle Peter a devout Jew who’d been taught from birth to not do anything against the Jewish food laws and traditions also received a vision.
The book of acts records,
“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Act 10:9-20.
Peter went with the men to meet Cornelius and his household, where he told them about Jesus Christ. It was at that point Peter realized that the gospel of Jesus Christ was for all people. The book of acts noting,
“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Jesus before His ascension into heaven said to the disciples,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
The word we translate in English as nation actually means “ethnic group” thus Jesus was making it clear to his disciples that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was meant to be heard by every ethnic group in the world. Something that it seems became real to the apostle Peter when he met Cornelius.
This is something true Christians today believe to be true. The salvation and eternal life Christ Jesus offers is open to everyone on the planet.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Romans 10:9-13
Please think about it.
