NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passage: Acts 10:34-48
Discussion Questions:
- Why is favoritism so detrimental to the spread of the Gospel?
- Peter was a witness to Jesus’ powerful activities during His earthly ministry. What can you testify to when it comes to Jesus?
- What does this passage teach us about God’s intentions for His church?
Food for thought:
Inclusion has become a cultural requirement in education, business, politics and social settings. The idea appeals to many people’s sensibilities. Unfortunately, some groups misuse “inclusion” to mean endorsement of ideas and actions that violate biblical worldviews. Such applications are exclusive, not inclusive.
The most inclusive statement in Scripture is John 3:16. God’s offer of salvation includes every person. His only requirement is that we believe in Jesus. Now that’s inclusion.
Cornelius was a God-fearing Gentile. At some point, God’s angel commanded him to send for Peter (Acts 10:3-8). Meanwhile, God spoke to Peter in a vision that would prepare him to go with Cornelius’ servants. Arriving at Cornelius’ home, Peter began to understand what God was doing. Even though it was considered a violation of the Mosaic law for a Jew to enter a Gentile’s house, Peter saw that “God doesn’t show favoritism” (Acts 10:34).
Geopolitical and ethnic boundaries cannot limit God’s grace. God’s good news is for everyone. While Jesus was a Jew and originally brought the Gospel to the Jews, God is Lord of all. His heart is for all to be saved.
As a Roman centurion in Palestine, Cornelius likely knew something about who Jesus was and some of the details surrounding His death. However, He did not have a personal relationship with Him as Messiah. Peter reviewed the events related to Jesus, including how He had been crucified and how God had raised Him from the dead.
The apostle also emphasized that He and others were witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. They had since seen Him after He was raised, and He had commissioned them to tell others about Him. Although Cornelius was not Jewish, he had studied Judaism. Peter affirmed that the Old Testament prophets had testified about Jesus as the Messiah. Peter also affirmed that anyone who trusted in the name of Jesus would find forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.
As Peter shared the Gospel, the Holy Spirit fell. The Gentiles began proclaiming God’s glory in different languages. This was a “second Pentecost” as God moved among the Gentiles as He had among the Jews. After spreading to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, this was the first step toward the Gospel reaching the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Peter urged the new believers to be baptized. This baptism would not save anyone. Cornelius and his companions had already experienced that. Instead, it was an initial step of obedience, identifying them with Jesus. Peter had already crossed a Jewish line by entering Cornelius’ home. Now that he understood God’s plan, he had no qualms about staying for a visit.
Believers of all backgrounds share an intimate fellowship unlike any other earthly relationship. In Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no rich or poor, no differentiation of any kind (Galatians 3:28). In Him we are brothers and sisters, children of the Father. Salvation comes to anyone who believes in Jesus.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.
