Acts 10:24-48

They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for him and had called together his relatives and close friends to meet Peter. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up! I’m a human being like you!" 27 So Cornelius got up, and they talked together and went inside where the others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, "You know it is against the Jewish laws for me to come into a Gentile home like this. But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as impure. 29 So I came as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me." 30 Cornelius replied, "Four days ago I was praying in my house at three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, Cornelius, your prayers have been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send some men to Joppa and summon Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a leatherworker who lives near the shore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now here we are, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you."The Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn’t show partiality. 35 In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 I’m sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened all through Judea, beginning in Galilee after John the Baptist began preaching. 38 And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.
39 "And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Israel and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by crucifying him, 40 but God raised him to life three days later. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen beforehand to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. 46 And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter asked, 47 "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.
Devotion (by Chris Bunch): God Shows No Favoritism
Acts 10 reveals to us two individuals who were very different. Cornelius was a wealthy, Roman (Gentile), military man. Peter was a poor, Jewish, fisherman who became a part of the inner circle of Jesus’ ministry. However, God had a plan for both of them that would change the history of the early church and Christianity, for that matter. Before this encounter, the main culture that Peter and the early church were reaching out to was the Jewish community. After Cornelius’ encounter with God and Peter, Christianity expanded from just the Jewish world to the entire world. This fulfilled what Jesus said earlier in Acts: "But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Although Jews were God’s chosen people, after Jesus Christ came to earth, died, and rose again, God’s purpose expanded from just one group of people to all people. Because the reality is God shows no favoritism. Peter said, "I see very clearly that God doesn’t show partiality. In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." (34-35). God does not discriminate on the basis of race, economics, or sex, and neither should those who follow him. Because the reality is we didn’t step out to God first but he steps towards us. I like what theologian William Barclay says, "It is always God who takes the first step. When the human mind begins to seek and the human heart begins to long, God comes to meet us far more than half way . . . When we go to God we do not go to one who hides himself and keeps us at a distance; we go to one who stands waiting for us, and who even takes the initiative by coming to meet us on the road." Just as God accepted Cornelius, Peter and you, he desires that you accept others. Who in your life right now do you find it hard to accept? Do you think deep down that you are better than them? That you are a favorite to God compared to them? What would it take for you to accept and reach out to that person today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to accept others just as you have accepted me. I know you do not show favoritism or partiality, so help me to do the same. Take away any pride in my life and replace it with a humble spirit of acceptance. In Jesus name. Amen