THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE

Passage: Acts 10:34-48

Key verse: 36

NIV

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism(A) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(B) 36 You know the message(C) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(D) of peace(E) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(F) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(G) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(H) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(I)

39 “We are witnesses(J) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(K) 40 but God raised him from the dead(L) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(M) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(N) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(O) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(P) 43 All the prophets testify about him(Q) that everyone(R) who believes(S) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(T)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on(U) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter(V) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out(W) even on Gentiles.(X) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[a](Y) and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.(Z) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”(AA) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(AB) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 10:46 Or other languages
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Gentiles Hear the Good News

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that (A)God (B)shows no partiality, 35 but (C)in every nation anyone who fears him and (D)does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for (E)the word that he sent to Israel, (F)preaching good news of (G)peace through Jesus Christ ((H)he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, (I)beginning (J)from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how (K)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth (L)with the Holy Spirit and with (M)power. He went about doing good and healing all (N)who were oppressed by the devil, (O)for God was with him. 39 And (P)we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. (Q)They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but (R)God raised him on (S)the third day and made him to (T)appear, 41 (U)not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as (V)witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And (W)he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify (X)that he is the one appointed by God to be judge (Y)of the living and the dead. 43 (Z)To him (AA)all the prophets bear witness that (AB)everyone who believes in him receives (AC)forgiveness of sins (AD)through his name.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still saying these things, (AE)the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among (AF)the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because (AG)the gift of the Holy Spirit (AH)was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them (AI)speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 (AJ)“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit (AK)just as we have?” 48 And he (AL)commanded them (AM)to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Jesus Christ is Lord of all (34-36)

The Jews thought that God loved only them. But God taught Peter that he does not show favoritism. He accepts any person who fears him and does what is right--regardless of that person's human condition. The Good News of peace through Jesus is for everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord.

2. What happened in Judea (37-48)

The gospel is rooted in fact. Peter reviewed the basic facts: John preached repentance; then, Jesus, anointed by the Holy Spirit, went around doing good and healing. He challenged the devil and set men free. Then, they killed him by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead on the third day. The Risen Jesus was seen by witnesses. He commanded his disciples to testify about God's sure judgment, and about forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus. Cornelius and his friends believed, and the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Prayer: Praise Jesus, who is Lord of all and Savior of all who come to him. Thank you for the peace that Jesus gives through the gospel.

One Word: Believe in Jesus and be forgiven