9 May 2021
Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48 NRSV
Many of the early Christians believed that the salvation brought by Jesus was just for Jews. When Peter visited the house of Cornelius, it became apparent that Gentiles were also called by God and chosen to be saved. Cornelius was a centurion in the Roman army. He was a devout man who had received a vision of an angel telling him to find Peter. He invited Peter to his home so that he could learn more about the Gospel. Meanwhile, Peter also had a vision telling him not to consider as impure anything made by God. Peter understood this vision as not only referring to animals but also as symbolic of the Gentiles. In the same vision, he was also prompted to go straight away to visit Cornelius. Whilst Peter was speaking to Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit came upon them as it had on the apostles at Pentecost. Peter realised that this was the same spirit at work and gave orders for Cornelius and his household to be baptised. It would be some time before Gentile converts became acceptable in the wider church and perhaps Peter’s statement that God shows no partiality is still to be fully accepted.
- Where do you see God’s hand in the events that led to the baptism of Cornelius and his household?
- Have you ever been struck by lengths God will go to in order to show that he has no “favourites”?
Is there some way in which you can reach out to someone who feels as if they are an outsider.
