Preaching to the Gentiles
I admit my favorite sermon in the Bible is Peter preaching Christ to the Gentiles at Caesarea (Acts 10:34–43). The epiphany to Peter regarding the Gentiles had liberated him to preach in their midst. No doubt this gathering of Cornelius’ family and friends found the scene as awkward as Peter did, but he had good news to tell them, and he now knew he was free to do it. This news would radically transform their lives from that day forward. Even better news for us is that Peter’s message still works powerful transformation in people, today. We, like Peter, are privileged to share Christ with others.
Peter began his sermon with an open-door invitation to every man, in every nation, to know he is welcome to God through Christ (vv. 34–35). This is the Gospel call that goes out to all men. It is salvation to the elect redeemed, and it serves as a warning to the unelect, unredeemed, unregenerate, unbeliever of trouble to come. Peter told them that Jesus was the Word of God revealing a peace agreement with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all (v. 36).
Peter recounted for them what he believed they already knew: the ministries of both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ (vv. 37–38). The Trinity is neatly packed into verse 38, “…God anointed Him (Jesus) with the Holy Spirit…” I often point out the Trinity to people because of my frequent encounters with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who preach the heresy of Arius, the man who was condemned by the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325. Peter argued the power of Jesus’ ministry was the power of God. Supported is the notion that it is not just the power for the work, but the source, “…Christ, is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).
Peter affirmed his intimate apostolic witness in regard to this power that was witnessed by the masses throughout the land of Israel (v. 39). The ministry of Jesus was very public during its three year duration. Jesus gave 2/3 of His ministry to the north shore of the Sea of Galilee because it slowed his popular rise to kingship; and He was not well-received in Jerusalem, nor His hometown of Nazareth.
Preachers today are resisted in their hometowns presumably because it is too much for the people they grew up with to believe such transformation could take place. God usually relocates His servants so this obstacle to the Gospel is removed. This is more acute for small town preachers in contrast with big city preachers, but few preachers today reside and minister in the same locale that nurtured them. If you want to preach, hit the road, Jack.
Peter presented the crux of the Gospel, preaching Christ’s death and resurrection (vv. 39–40). It is sad how few pulpits seem willing or able to proclaim the centerpiece of Christianity, today. As a preacher compelled by the Gospel, it has always been my habit to include the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in every sermon. The cross is like the hub of a wheel. Every sermon is a spoke leading out from the cross to an application of truth where the rubber meets the road.
Post-resurrection witnesses were clearly limited by God (v. 41). The allusion to communion is found in the fact that Jesus appeared to all who ate and drank with Him during His earthly ministry. Despite the debates around communion, especially by the Reformers, Christ’s presence is identified with the Lord’s table in every tradition: memorial; spiritual; real; or bodily. Jesus continued to eat with His disciples, even as He invites us to His table today.
Peter’s explanation comes with some force in v. 42, “And He (Jesus) ordered us to preach to the people…” The subject of their sermons was to be Christ as judge of the living and dead (2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5). This, of course, heightens the tragedy of denying Christ by trampling on His welcome mat. Every knee will bow to Jesus on the day of judgment, at His seat of judgment (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11). Every man is to be told of this fact so he can properly prepare himself, for better or for worse, to meet his Maker.
Anyone in his right mind will want this encounter with Jesus to be for the better. Peter explains how this is possible (v. 43). He references “all” the prophets as witnesses to God’s salvation. Their witness of God’s Word now has a name: Jesus Christ, translated for this context would be “YHWH, the God of Israel saves Jews and Gentiles through His Messiah.” For these Gentiles, it means their sins against YHWH could be forgiven by placing their trust in the God/Man, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15), that is, His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He did it by taking the punishment for sins (1 Pet 2:24), and paying the penalty with His life, offered as an acceptable sacrifice unto God (Jn 1:29; Acts 17:31), for those He came to save.
On that day there was no resistance to Peter’s preaching. It was good news for everyone who had ears to hear. Got ears?
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
June 22, 2021
