S. Acts 10: 34-35 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
O. Knowing a person is a journey. I am married for 28 years and I am still learning about my wife each day. Knowing God will take millions of lifetimes. But there is a way to accelerate this knowledge. It is not intellectual knowledge we receive from others or from studying, it is experiential knowledge through ministry. In today’s passage, Peter understood God and himself more as he served Cornelius’ household.
a) Now I understand God does not show favouritism (34-35) The Scriptures always prohibited Jewish people from showing favouritism to wealthy or powerful people. But the favouritism of which Peter speaks is preference toward the people of Israel. Jesus has broken the walls between God and man and between races. Peter knew, through experience, everyone that fear God and trusted in Jesus will be saved.
b) Jesus is the Lord of all (36-38) Peter pointed out that Jesus is the Lord of all people, not only Israel. He presented the person and work of Jesus Christ, emphasising salvation through faith in Jesus alone to the Gentiles. The is the mystery of the ages. Immediately after his sermon, the Holy Spirit fell upon Gentiles, confirming God’s intention of including them among his holy people.
c) We are witnesses (39-41) Peter recognised to serve as a witness, he must have first-hand knowledge of Jesus. Peter knew the significance of his presence in Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and his first-hand encounter with Jesus after His resurrection. Before he shrunk in hiding, Peter knew his role to proclaim Jesus, not just in Jerusalem or to the Jews, but to the whole world.
A. I love studying the Bible. But one common mistake by Christians is thinking that nearness to God can be achieved through knowledge accumulation. Never in the history has so much theological knowledge been available to the Western church, yet many feels far from God. We can learn so much from our brothers from the persecuted world. Intimacy with God often occurs in the places where we trust and obey Him in our mission. Knowing God is a journey of studying His Word and be obedient to His call. And God will reveal more of Himself to us each day.
P. Lord, I am troubled and embarrassed by the lack of knowledge of You from Your Word today. May we all experience true intimacy with You as we obey Your Great Commission proclaiming Jesus as Lord of all.
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