Acts 10:24–29, 34–36, 42–48

Minister to the University, Samford University, Ph.D.

A Story for All People
Acts 10:24–29, 34–36, 42–48
American culture seems increasingly pluralistic. As a nation, we have become receptive to a variety of perspectives yet resistant to any single perspective that seems to negate others. In such an environment, Christians may willingly place the gospel alongside other faiths but remain hesitant to suggest that the story of Christ is the one story for all people. The fear of being labeled intolerant may lead some, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to present Jesus as though He were one of the available options for belief rather than the way, truth and life apart from whom no one can come to God.

Christian struggles in contemporary America bear some similarity to the earliest controversies in the church. As followers of Jesus became increasingly numerous, first-century Jews had mixed views of the Christian movement. Jewish religious leaders vigorously opposed Jesus and His followers. They saw His claim to divinity as blasphemous and His popularity as threatening to their influence, and they lobbied the Roman government to support their persecution of Christians. Some Jewish converts to Christianity argued that Gentile converts should become Jews via circumcision and adherence to the Jewish law. Others claimed that Christians owed no allegiance to Jewish laws or customs, arguing that we are justified and sanctified by faith apart from observance of the law. As a result, early Christians often found themselves at odds with both the religious sentiment of the day and the leaders within their own churches. For whom did Jesus live and die? The clear testimony of Scripture is that the story of Jesus is for all people.

Overcome Religious and Cultural Barriers (24–29)
After Peter saw a vision from God teaching him that all things were clean, he traveled to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile. Everything in Peter’s religious background would have likely made this an uncomfortable visit. Peter had been taught that Jews were not to associate with Gentiles, but God’s vision trumped Peter’s religious heritage. Often we erect barriers between ourselves and people of other religious faiths — for example, when we state with confidence that those who believe differently are going to hell, when we point to the sinful behaviors of others while ignoring our own and when we focus on proclamation to the exclusion of compassion. Jesus was both a compelling preacher and a compassionate neighbor to those society considered outcasts. To proclaim the gospel effectively, we should also tell the story of Jesus with our words as well as our deeds.

Tell the Story of Jesus (34–36, 42–43)
Peter spoke to Cornelius and the others about the “good news of peace through Jesus Christ.” In fact, Acts tells us repeatedly that the apostles focused their message simply and clearly on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Their preaching was not clouded by polemical opinions about the controversial issues of the day. They were not seeking the favor of those in power or aligning themselves with any political party or ideology. They taught that Jesus was crucified, that He was raised from the dead and exalted to heaven and that salvation is found in no one else. They believed that Christ would return soon and that nothing should distract them from telling the story. They invited others to believe in Jesus, to place their faith in Him and to receive eternal life. Jesus was the substance of their preaching.

Accept All Who Receive Christ (44–48)
The Jewish Christians who were with Peter were astonished to see the Holy Spirit work among the Gentiles. They were astonished to see such a movement of God among a supposedly irreligious people. Yet without hesitation, Peter accepted the Gentile converts fully into the fellowship of believers by baptizing them. We should not hesitate to invite all who accept Christ fully into the life of the church. Baptism is not only a representation of conversion but also a public recognition of community and a commitment to follow Christ in daily life.