The Gentiles hear the good news for the first time. Imagine that you are there:
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened through out all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him’” (Ac 10:34-38).
The essence:
- God shows no partiality.
- Fearing God and doing right is acceptable to him.
- God baptized Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power.
- Jesus did good to all and healed those oppressed by the devil.
- God was with Jesus.
“’And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God to be witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name’” (Ac 10:39-43).
The essence:
- Peter and the other apostles witnessed:
- All Jesus did among the Jews;
- The Jews killed Jesus;
- God raised up Jesus from the dead; and
- Jesus commanded the apostles to testify:
- God appointed Jesus to judge all people;
- The prophets told in advance that all believers in Jesus are forgiven of sins through his name.
“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ‘Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days” (Ac 10:44-48).
In this stunning speech by Peter and the even more stunning events that immediately followed, we have the core of the good news of Jesus of Nazareth – the Name above all names.
When someone asks you why you believe in Jesus, are you ready with a simple replay of the facts? The two “essences” above are easily memorized and can serve as indisputable bedrock supporting perfect unity among all Christians!
Write down the essence of Peter’s preaching to the Gentiles – on your heart.
God shows no partiality.
Share the gospel everywhere to everyone – in perfect unity!