Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. 36 You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and [in] Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 40 This man God raised [on] the third day and granted that he be visible, 41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Peter spoke to Cornelius and his household as instructed by the Holy Spirit. His understanding of the vision brought him to the realization that salvation was not only for the Jews. “God shows no partiality (v. 34),” but accepts from every nation those who fear God and do what is right. Peter then recounted that Jesus, who is Lord of all and who God anointed “with the Holy Spirit and power (v. 38),” was sent first to the Israelites to proclaim peace, and to heal all who were oppressed by the devil. The disciples were witnesses to all that he did, but the Gentiles crucified him. On the third day God raised Jesus from the dead and he appeared to those disciples who were chosen by God to be witnesses. Those witnesses were commissioned to preach the Gospel to all people and testify that Jesus will come again to be the universal judge of the living and the dead. The prophets foretold that the Messiah who was to come would forgive the sin of all who believe in him and call upon his name.
Almighty God, have mercy on all who call upon you in faith and heal your children who are in the grip of evil. Hear our prayers and fill us with your Divine love so that we may fulfill your command to preach your Gospel to the whole world. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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