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”.

The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, writer of the gospel, historian, physician and often the companion of the apostle Paul. Our verses today are part of the story of Peter, a Jewish man and an apostle of Christ, called by a vision to visit Cornelius, a Roman centurion and a Gentile. Cornelius, a God fearing and righteous man also had a vision telling him to call for Peter to come and explain the gospel. Peter obeyed his vision; journeyed to Caesarea and entered the house of Cornelius – something Jewish custom and tradition strictly prohibited.

Our verses today are words Peter spoke to Cornelius and his household. While Peter was still speaking(!), the Holy Spirit came upon the attending Gentiles and Peter and the Jews accompanying him “were astonished that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles”. (Acts 10: 44-46). Peter had no idea that God was at work among the Gentiles.

This was the foundation for Peter’s understanding that the gospel should now go forth to the Gentiles – it was completely against Jewish thought that God DID NOT show partiality toward the Jews. There was now to be no exclusion based on national identity. Since Abraham salvation had been from the Jews and through the Jews. This was a radical change as the Gentiles were included and all who believe in Christ receive God’s salvation. This was not a new plan of God but was foretold by the Old Testament prophets but just not understood. Now the Gentiles could be directly brought into a relationship with God apart from becoming Jews. Christ is Lord of all. This insight would change the history of the world.