Then Peter opened his mouth and said “In truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality.  (35) But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  (36) The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all – (37) that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:  (38)how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke and deals primarily with the ministries of Peter and Paul. Acts was not just chronicling historical events of those early days of the Church, but provided an account of words – summaries of words and speeches – gained either first hand or from written or oral testimony of witnesses.  Luke wrote Acts of the Apostles – as he tells us in this letter – to proclaim the certainity of what the audience had been taught.  Luke’s particular perspective was to provide witness to the meaning and implication of the death of Christ Jesus and His resurrection.

In today’s verses we hear of a certain Cornelius who was a centurion of the Italian Regiment.  The specific term used – Italian Regiment – tell us that this was an honored  regiment of the Roman empire and Cornelius held great authority.  Cornelius is further described as a man/gentile who feared God and who was told in a vision to send for Peter who was residing in a nearby city.  The Spirit had also told Peter to receive the men sent by Cornelius and to go with them.

Peter was a Jewish man who was reared in Jewish Law and traditions – at this point in history it was believed that a gentile had to adopt Jewish rules and customs – circumcision and ceremonial law – to be saved.  Peter however was told in a vision that nothing God creates is forbidden.  So this is a radical change.  since the time of Abraham salvation had been seen by the Jews as only from and through the Jews and now the door was opened to salvation for all nations, regardless of race and nationality.

Cornelius is described as God fearing and as doing many good works.  Peter was called by God to explain that good works would not save him – that salvation is by God’s grace and centers on the completed works of Christ Jesus.  Jesus is the issue, and the point of these verses.  Peter was a witness to salvation available through faith in Christ – this was not a vague belief but a specific and personal one.  Jesus and his completed works is our hope and salvation is offered by God to all who believe in Christ Jesus.

It really does matter what we believe.  We can believe clapping our hands will make tinkerbell live but really????  Our sincerity does not matter in reality.  Good works will not get us eternal life.  There is not anything we can do – that is good enough – to earn salvation.  The Bible is clear that faith in the redemptive works in Jesus Christ will provide justification from God:   that we will be made right with God through faith in Christ Jesus.