Good News of Peace Through Jesus Christ — God Shows No Favoritism

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Scripture • World English Bible

Acts 10:34–43

WEB

³⁴Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism;

³⁵but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

³⁶The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—

³⁷you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

³⁸how 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.

³⁹We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.

⁴⁰God raised him up the third day and gave him to be revealed,

⁴¹not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

⁴²He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.

⁴³All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain

Reflection

In Acts 10:34–43 Peter gives a short, powerful sermon that upends assumptions. He declares that God does not play favorites and that the good news of peace comes by Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Peter traces what God has done in Jesus: anointing him with Spirit and power; doing good and freeing people from the devil’s oppression; being killed and raised; and being appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All of this points to one central offering: through Jesus, everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sins.

This is Gospel peace in action. It is peace between God and sinners because the barrier of sin has been dealt with in Christ’s death and resurrection. It is peace across human divisions because God’s acceptance is not limited by nationality, class, or background. Peter’s words are aimed at a Roman centurion and his household, but they reach beyond that moment to every nation. If God shows no partiality, then the welcome of Jesus is wide, and the church’s mission is to bring that welcome to the ends of the earth.

Peter also reminds us that the message is grounded in witness. The early followers had seen Jesus’ life, heard his teaching, watched his suffering and resurrection, and eaten and drank with the risen Lord. Their testimony is not mere opinion but rooted in encounter and historical reality. The Holy Spirit then empowers that witness, opening hearts to receive the forgiveness promised in Jesus’ name.

What does this mean for us now? First, the Gospel invites us to a peace that reorders our loyalties: Christ is Lord over nation, tribe, and office. Our citizenship under him changes how we treat those who are different from us. Second, being a witness matters—our lives, words, and actions should point people to the peace Jesus offers. Third, peacemaking is not always the same as reconciliation. While we are to seek and speak the Gospel, some relationships cannot be safely restored. Wise peacemaking sometimes means protective boundaries, seeking counsel, and loving from a safe distance.

Peter’s message remains both convicting and comforting. It convicts those who assume God’s favor is earned or limited, and it comforts those who hear that Jesus is Lord of all and offers forgiveness. As we live and speak, may we reflect the inclusive reach of the Gospel and the peace that flows from Jesus’ name, trusting the Spirit to open hearts and guide our steps.

Putting Faith Into Action

Speak the Gospel where you are: identify one neighbor, coworker, or classmate who hasn’t heard the good news and pray for them daily this week. Look for a natural, respectful moment to share how Christ has brought you peace—start with a short story of what Jesus has done in your life.
Practice hospitality across barriers: invite someone different from your usual circles to a meal, a church event, or a small group. Use the time to listen, ask thoughtful questions about their life, and gently share the hope you have in Jesus rather than arguing theology.
Pursue peacemaking with wisdom and safety: if you feel called to reconcile with someone, assess risks first. Pray, seek counsel from a pastor or trusted friend, set clear boundaries, or choose a written note or mediated conversation rather than an in-person meeting. If abuse or real danger is present, prioritize safety—prayer, wise distance, and professional help are appropriate forms of faithful peacemaking.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are Lord of all and the source of true peace. Give us boldness to witness, humility to welcome others, and wisdom to know when to set healthy boundaries. Open hearts by your Spirit so that many might receive the forgiveness you offer in your name. Amen.

Memory Verse

Acts 10:43 — All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.” (WEB)

“All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.””

Keep Going Continue to Part 31 The Spirit Falls Where the Gospel Goes Acts · Acts 10:44–48 Read the next devotional →

Bible Context

Read all of Acts 10

Acts 10

World English Bible • WEB

¹Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

²a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.

³At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

⁴He, fastening his eyes on him and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?”

⁵Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter.

⁶He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.

⁷When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.

⁸Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹Now on the next day as they were on their journey and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.

¹⁰He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.

¹¹He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,

¹²in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.

¹³A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”

¹⁴But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

¹⁵A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”

¹⁶This was done three times, and immediately the thing was received up into heaven.

¹⁷Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,

¹⁸and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there.

¹⁹While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you.

²⁰But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

²¹Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”

²²They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”

²³So he called them in and provided a place to stay.

²⁴On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.

²⁵When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.

²⁶But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”

²⁷As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.

²⁸He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.

²⁹Therefore I also came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”

³⁰Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing

³¹and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.

³²Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’

³³Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”