Last week we looked at the conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile. From now on in Acts the focus changes to the salvation of the Gentiles. In other words, it is showing us the truth that Jesus is Lord of all. Today look’s at 3 blessings of the fact that Jesus is Lord of all.
I. Realizing now (34-36)
In verse 29 Peter asks why Cornelius invited him. Cornelius explained to him everything that had happened. Then Peter says that he now realizes that God does not show partiality. We can tell that what Peter says is extremely important by the fact that what he said is recorded here. He is saying that God shows no partiality. God accepts all who fear Him and live righteously no matter what their nationality is. God doesn’t rank people by their ancestry or tribe. If a person believes in Jesus Christ who God sent, then no mater what his nationality, God will make him part of his people. The Jews thought for a long time that they were God’s chosen people. They thought they had the privilege of receiving God’s blessings. However, God is not like this. He accepts all who fear Him and live righteously. In this world some people become V.I.P.s. They are looked upon and they consider themselves as a higher level than others. Once someone is distinguished as a V.I.P. then he has a hard time consider himself as on the same level as others. The Jews were the same. They considered themselves as the chosen people so it became impossible for them to think differently.
However, here Peter was awakened to a new reality though the Holy Spirit. He was able to see things through God’s eyes. He came to the realization that “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (34, 35) Jesus is the Lord of all who believe in Jesus Christ. Not only did Peter confess this but it became the confession of the church. (Eph. 2:14-17)
As a result, the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread from Galilee to Asia, Europe and all the world. This was the result of Peter’s realization given to him by the Holy Spirit. When we look at this passage we can see the conversion of Cornelius as the conversion of a Gentile to the Christian faith. However, it is more than that. Peter himself was completely changed. More correctly the church, especially the Jewish Christians were completely changed by this event. A church historian said “to realize” is “to change”. If a person really realizes something, he will change. Peter’s realization caused him to really change.
When the church takes on a new evangelism, or starts something new, the Holy Spirit wants us to change. When this happens, let’s not go against that change, but follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. Then the things we realize, we need to change. The church needs to continuously be changed by the Word of God. I hope that our church will continue to grown by being led to change and always be changing by the Word of God.
II. The Gospel of Jesus Christ (vs. 37-43)
Jesus Christ is the Lord of all. In this passage Peter explains more about who Jesus is. He tells us about Jesus’ work on earth, the cross, and the resurrection. This is the first message that Peter preaches to the Gentiles so it is interesting to look at what he says. However, the content is almost the same as what he preached to the Jews. In other words, Jesus was put on the cross and killed by the Jews, but God raised Jesus from the dead. This means, Jesus was a criminal, but he hadn’t done even one wrong thing. He was righteous. He was the Savior that was promised in the Old Testament. There is only one thing that is different in this message. It is verse 43. “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” In other words, Jesus is the Lord of all. The whole Old Testament, all 66 book’s central theme is that Jesus is the Lord of all. Throughout the span of 2,000 years, may evangelists have worked hard sharing that message and many saints have prayed with tears and testified to that message. You may think that you are not worthy to be saved or your sins are too huge to be saved, but that is not true. God’s thoughts are that anyone who believes in Christ will be saved and his sins forgiven. There is no other name on earth in which we can be saved. Jesus Christ is the only Savior and anyone who believes in him will be saved.
II Cor. 5:17
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Even Paul who persecuted the church was not an exception. By human standards his past was not one that could be forgiven. He was against Christ, and persecuted those who believed in Christ. There were Christians who were martyred by him. This is not something that can be forgiven. However, Paul received God’s mercy. On the road to Damascus Paul met the resurrected Lord. Saul heard a voice say, “’Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’
‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.
‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting’” Jesus replied. When Saul heard this his world was turned upside down. Even though Saul had done these terrible things, out of the goodness of God, Jesus appeared to him. He was changed into a new person and became a preacher of the Gospel. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” And by the name of Christ he is forgiven and given eternal life. We too should want to take this Gospel message and be a witness.
III. The Gentiles also have the gifts of the Spirit (44-48)
While Paul was preaching the message and before he finished the Holy Spirit came upon those who were listening to the message. It was like when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost in Acts 2.
The reason for the Holy Spirit’s coming is given in verse 45. The Holy Spirit is not just for Israel, but for all who believe in Jesus Christ. In other words, by the Holy Spirit coming on the Gentiles every one could see that all who believe in Christ will receive the Holy Spirit. “The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (46) When the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles, they spoke in tongues and praised God. This showed that the Holy Spirit had come upon the Gentiles. This was so that not only Peter, but so that the Jewish believers that came with Peter could testify that the salvation of the Gentiles was true. When we look at chapter 15 we can see that the Jews had a difficult time accepting that Gentiles were being saved. It was a challenge for them to accept those who were uncircumcised and ate unclean food. However those Jewish Christians who came with Peter from Joppa had seen the Gentile Cornelius and his family saved. They also became witnesses that Jesus is Lord of all.
Man’s mistaken way of looking at things has strong roots. It takes a lot of work to destroy a mistaken way of looking at things. God showed in a way that everyone could see that their way of looking at things was wrong. He opened up the door for evangelism of the Gentiles. Jesus is the Lord of all. It is also proof that our sin is forgiven. No matter what sin is bothering us or what sin is controlling us, anyone who believes in Christ has their sins forgiven. The Gospel message is that we are set free from all sin. We need to hold on to this fact, preach it, and testify to it.