"In Every Nation..."

Acts continues to be my focus in the time leading up to our departure. Acts 10 details the practical broadening of the apostles' mission to "the man in every nation" who "fears Him."

The chapter begins when the Holy Spirit sends messengers from the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, to Peter. The two men are in different cities, so as the messengers are on their way to Peter in Joppa, the Holy Spirit visits Peter. "Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself."

The messengers tell Peter who they are and that he is invited by Cornelius to Caesarea to speak a word to his entire house. Peter goes with them to Cornelius' house and, in a humorous introduction, Cornelius immediately bows before Peter and begins to worship him. It says Peter actually pulled him up and told him that he was "too just a man." It seems Cornelius thought it was Peter who was the important part of the story. Peter made it clear from the beginning he was not.

When they get inside, he listens to Cornelius' story. "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour (about 9 am); and behold, a man stood before me in shining garmenst, and he said...'Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.' So I sent for your immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

At that point, Peter opens his mouth. "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) - you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem (how awesome is that for us as followers two millenia later?). They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

What an awesome word for people who are going to another nation to preach this news to people who have never heard it!

Another interesting idea - Peter writes that Jesus was appointed by God as "Judge of the living and the dead." Elsewhere, Paul writes that Jesus is our "Advocate" - what we know today as a defense attorney. Thus, when we put our faith in Christ, we have as Judge our D.A. That gives a whole new meaning to blessed assurance! If we accept Christ, the courtroom is rigged in our favor!