In The Word
Read Acts 10:34-48
Gentiles Hear Good News
34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Peter received a great revelation from God and then opened his mouth to begin to preach to the people. He proclaimed that God does not show partiality to a particular nationality, but every man who fears God is welcomed. Then he began to bring a message of the gospel to all those that were there. The Gentiles hearing the message got saved; the Holy Spirit fell on them, and they were baptized.
God was increasing His church and bringing a great harvest of souls into the kingdom. I see God still doing that very same thing in the days we are in. We must be like God in the sense that we show no partiality to a person’s social status, skin color, nationality, gender, or wealth because the Lord is the maker of them all. Peter got the revelation and reached out to a people that others had neglected and passed by.
Is there a group of people or an individual that you are neglecting to reach out to with love and the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you are, then I encourage you to be about your Father’s business and invite them to church. Reach out to them, share your faith in Christ with them. Ask God for the opportunity to do this today and for the boldness for you to walk through the door when He opens it. If you have fear in doing so, that fear isn’t from God but the devil because he doesn’t want your light to shine. Allow God’s perfect love to cast out all of your fear, and shine bright for Him today.