“…God shows no favoritism….”

Unbelievable!  This one definitely made the disciples’ highlight video for the year!  What a breakthrough for the kingdom of God!  And for Peter.  And for Cornelius.  Let’s go back and replay the action in slow motion, and let’s watch all the moves.

We start with Cornelius, a Roman (i.e., Gentile, as in “occupier” and “dog”) soldier who actually was “devout” and “gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly” (Acts 10:2).  Ditto with his family.  Obviously they caught and followed his example.  His performance showed a consistency well worth emulating.  Clearly he regularly sought the Lord, who is fully aware of everyone’s heart.  So he sent an angel in a vision to have him send for Peter as a part of answering his prayers.

Meanwhile Peter is about a 2-day’s journey in Joppa, staying at the seaside home of Simon the tanner (v. 6).  Lunchtime approached as Cornelius’ crew approached the city.  Peter then falls into a trance (v. 10) on the roof, something like an altered state where he was enabled to see beyond the visible.  We might chalk this up to churning stomach juices, but not Peter.  God knew it was time for him to be on the learning curve, and what Peter saw rattled his cage.  A sheet descended from heaven containing “all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air” (v. 12).  To be clear, try pigs, snakes, lizards and pigeons.  How’s that for menu items?  God tells him three times to kill and eat before the vision fades and Peter’s attention returns to normal as Cornelius’ crew bangs downstairs on Simon’s gate.  Now the Spirit tells Peter to go with them back to the commander’s house.  And as soon as he hears the request from them, he hospitably invites these Gentiles into the home as his personal guests!  Way to go, Peter!  Great move of obedience.  God’s timing is not coincidental, but educational.

Now check out the next great move: Peter starts out the next day with them back to Cornelius’ home (v. 23).  The house is full of Gentiles, and those 2 traveling days gives Peter time to digest the vision.  He left Simon’s house in faith but arrives at Cornelius’ house with knowledge.  Obedience in transition made the difference.  Once on Cornelius’ step, he makes no hesitation to enter.  Since the law did not permit Jews to eat in a Gentile home, this was a first, a huge cross-cultural step.  Can you hear Peter’s thoughts?  “So…this is what a Gentile’s home is like…interesting…not much different than one of ours”.

Suddenly his thoughts are interrupted by Cornelius’ collapse “at his feet in reverence” (v. 25).  Peter quickly pulls him up saying, “I am only a man myself”.  Another great move, Peter!  Cornelius then recounts his vision, and sums it up saying, “we are all here in the presence of the God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us” (v. 33).  Talk about a primed audience!  And these were Gentiles, not Jews!  Can you hear Peter’s thoughts:  “Where did these people come from?  How did they get so aware of our God without the law?  How can their hearts be so ready?  Why aren’t more Jews like them?”  Then it hits him: the sheet, the animals, the command to eat — three times, no less — the Holy Spirit’s direction.  Everything washes over him until he can’t help himself, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (vs. 34-35).  You got it, Peter, and just in time.  Their souls are on the line of eternity.  Hit the replay button.

The rest of his sermonette tells us why and how God can be impartial.  Read vs. 36-43.  In an unfair world of inequities, of haves and have-nots, Jesus is the great equalizer.  He is “Lord of all” (v. 36) and “judge of the living and the dead” (v. 42).  That’s because he died for everyone in every nation.  Thus, “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (v. 43).  Bingo.  Peter’s time on the learning curve now levels out. He got it big-time, and it’s a breakthrough, a highlight moment for the Church.  However, his buddies didn’t make the cut, being “astonished” by the family’s conversion (v. 45).

Because of Peter’s excellent moves, Cornelius and his family found God’s forgiveness.  But how many of our spiritual brethren are like Peter’s pals, astonished even today that God can prepare hearts, or work among pagans, whether in lost tribes or just plain lost in the city?  How many still struggle with bigotry, ethnocentrism and partiality?  Too many, plain and simple.  Are you one of them?