The Impartial God
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “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.” Acts 10:34,35 ESV
It is one thing when someone says, something. It is another to understand the meaning and ramifications of what is said. Jesus was very clear in the mandate to the disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:9 ESV)
On the Day of Pentecost Peter spoke the words of the Prophet Joel, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21 ESV)
But everyone?! Even gentiles? Perhaps the message to the Jews meant, “every Jew who calls on the name of the Lord.” But the everyone, means…..everyone. It means all people, all nations, all time. The way to God was through the cross, not the Law of Moses. It took a vision and some divine revelation to Peter for him to understand that God is the One who calls and declares all people worthy of good news.
There is a quip that I read or heard, “all men are created equal, some are just more “equal” than others.” That is certainly how the Jews would have felt. They were a unique and special people. But as the Lord told Abraham, “And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed–all because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:18 NLT)
So through divine means the Holy Spirit begins to upset the proverbial “apple cart.” Angels appear to Cornelius; Peter receives the same dream (three times). As Peter preaches about Jesus to those at Cornelius’ house, there is an overwhelming demonstration of the Lord’s presence.
“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.” (Acts 10:44-46 ESV)
This became significant because these Gentiles who placed their faith in Jesus, received the Holy Spirit in the same manner, as it fell on those in the upper room on Pentecost. No respecter of persons. No partiality.
the Word of the Lord spread with the persecution that arose through the death of Stephen; now the gospel is preparing to spread like “wild fire” through many who come to faith and receive the boldness to declare the goodness of the Lord and salvation through Jesus.
I am reminded of the words of an old hymn that declare, “what He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.” That is what we see in Acts 10 and that is what we see in our world today.
Prayer for today…. Lord thank you that ALL can come to know You and experience the life that You have for them. Thank You for Your amazing plan, for Your amazing grace and for Your Word that is available for all people of all nation.