This text is used for the Lectionary Year A on Easter, April 16, 2017.

We will study an inspired historical account of the message that opened the door for Gentiles to become Christians. Things have never been the same in the church.

It happens like this:  God Himself arranged for the Roman Cornelius to have the Apostle Peter in his home as a guest. Prepared by an unforgettable vision on the housetop in Joppa, he accompanied the messengers sent by Cornelius to his home in Caesarea.

The first words of Peter set forth the theme of the message, “God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Up to this point, Peter had held the Jewish tradition that to know and worship the God of Abraham, a Gentile must become a Jew—be circumcised and begin to live under the law of Moses. But God has shown him that he must stop looking at Gentiles as unclean and impure. His message for the Gentiles was that Jesus of Nazareth is Lord of all and through him, they can have a saving relationship with God.

Peter’s prior experiences as an Apostle of Christ had been primarily among those known as the “elect,” though he had ventured down to Samaria along with John.  Now he has the opportunity to share the Gospel with a group outside of the “elect,” Gentiles, Romans. They were not “sons of Abraham” after the flesh.  Since God is impartial, Peter cannot deny them the gospel because of ethnic or religious background. The Gospel has a “whosoever will” note in it.

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