It’s Not Just For Jews

Acts 10:34-44

Raised with the idea that only those who followed the Jewish religion could go to heaven, Peter has been confronted with a new concept. The vision he saw made it clear that It was not ritual Judaism that qualified a person for salvation. God had said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common,” in Acts 10:15. Salvation was not limited to adherents to a particular religion or race.

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34-35)

The Jews viewed non-Jews as unfit to associate with, and even proselytes who converted to Judaism often waited several generations for acceptance. God holds no such predjudices, accepting any one who is willing to yield to him and do right. For Jews it was a totally new concept that salvation was not based on keeping some moral code or religious system, but on a personal choice toward God. He then explains the basis of such a choice.

“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:36-38)

The key to eternal salvation is that Jesus Christ is the Messiah god sent to take away the sins of the world. Even this group of gentiles had heard the stories about Jesus over the last several years, because Caesarea was the main seaport serving Jerusalem and most travelers would pass through the town. What happened in Jerusalem would almost certainly be known in Caesarea. They were familiar with John the Baptist’s ministry and had heard of Jesus and his crucifixion, as well as the persecution of the churches.

“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.” (Acts 10:39-41)

A witness can only testify of what he has observed first hand. What Cornelius and the group in his home knew was all hearsay. Peter was a witness of the various events. He had seen Jesus arrested and knew he had been hanged, like everyone in Jerusalem. More importantly, he had seen him after he was resurrected, as had many others, although not everyone, actually sitting and eating with him. His experience qualified him to speak on the subject.

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. “ (Acts 10:42-43)

Because of what they had observed and experienced, seeing Jesus fulfill all the prophecies about the Messiah, and hearing god himself proclaim him as his son, they were qualified to testify as to who he was, and Jesus had himself instructed them to do so.

Under the law, making the sacrifices for sin just postponed sentencing for what they had done, and each year they had to redo it, according to Hebrews 10:1-4. “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

The prophets had declared that the Messiah would not just postpone, but actually take away the sin, removing all traces of it. When doctors say a cancer is in remission, it means they can detect no trace of it. While doctors may miss individual cancer cells, God doesn’t miss lingering sin. He gets it all. The remission of sin is based on believing in Jesus’ name. Acts 4:12 states, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Salvation will not come by believing in the Mormon church or the Catholic church, or the Baptist church. Believing in the Pope, Joseph Smith, Buddha, Mohammed, or any other religious leader will not save any one. John 3:15-18 declares, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” (Acts 10:44)

This group of gentiles had been actively seeking the Lord, And trying to do what was right. They were convinced that it was God who brought Peter to them, and there was no hesitation in believing or in giving themselves wholly to God. As a result there was no delay in being saved or filled with the Holy Spirit. They accepted it fully, even before Peter finished speaking, and were filled with the Holy Spirit instantly.

Like the Ethiopian eunuch, a desire to please God was the key to God sending a teacher to them, and resulted in acceptance and filling with the Spirit. Over the years, I have observed the same scenario repeatedly, both in my own ministry and in that of others. The spiritual growth of such people is astoundingly fast, because they waste no time in allowing the Holy Spirit to have control.