Peter’s in Joppa, where God just used him to raise a widow back to life. Then comes a vision—unclean animals Jews can’t eat. “Kill and eat,” God says. Peter balks: “No way, Lord—I’ve never touched anything impure!”
Acts 10:15-16 (CSB)
“Again… the voice said, ‘What God has made clean, do not call impure.’ This happened three times…”
Three times! Meanwhile, Cornelius—a Gentile commander in Caesarea, devout, God-fearing, generous to Jews—prays. An angel says, “Send for Peter.”
Cornelius’ men arrive post-vision. Peter, with Jewish disciples, enters a Gentile’s home—not kosher at all!
Acts 10:28-29, 34-35 (CSB)
“Peter said, ‘You know it’s forbidden… to visit a foreigner, but God has shown me… not [to] call any person impure… That’s why I came…’ ‘Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’”
Then:
Acts 10:44-45 (CSB)
“While Peter was still speaking… the Holy Spirit came down on all… The circumcised believers… were amazed because the gift… had been poured out even on the Gentiles.”
Wow! The Jews looked for signs—they thought they were God’s favorites, the only ones He loved. But God made sure they saw the Spirit fall—first on Samaritans (Acts 8), now Gentiles. He chose Israel to bring redemption through Jesus, fulfilling Abraham’s promise: “all nations blessed” (Gen. 12:3). Not just Jews—everyone who fears Him belongs.
Peter got it: God’s love isn’t exclusive. Are we getting it? The Jews missed it, clinging to favour instead of sharing it. Do we? Father, open our eyes to Your heart for all people—help us carry Your gospel to every soul; You have no favourites, Jesus; You died for everyone, so we all may have life in You.
