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 and explained the revelation that God shows no favoritism (Deut. 10:17). Salvation was not only for the Jews; God judges individuals by their deeds, and reverence for God and righteous conduct makes anyone acceptable to Him, regardless of nationality (Ps. 15:1-2; Mt. 8:10-11). The message of peace through Jesus Christ, Lord of both Jews and Gentiles, was first delivered to the Israelites in Judea and Galilee. Jesus’ ministry started after John the Baptist’s ministry. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit and, empowered by God, went about doing good, healing, and releasing people from spiritual oppression (Is. 61:1; Mt. 3:16-17). Peter and the apostles witnessed all that Jesus did, including his crucifixion.
Peter proclaimed that God raised Jesus on the third day and allowed him to appear to the apostles and others chosen by God, who had close fellowship with the risen Lord, to be witnesses to his resurrection. The resurrection is central to the Christian faith. It validates Jesus’ identity, fulfills Old Testament prophecies about Jesus’ death and resurrection (Ps. 16:10; Is. 53:10-12), demonstrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and grants those who believe a new birth to a living hope and a share in Jesus’ resurrection life (1 Pt. 1:3-4). Those witnesses were commissioned to preach the Gospel to all people and testify that Jesus was appointed by God and will come again to be the universal judge of the living and the dead. Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures, and all who believe in him will receive forgiveness of sins (Jer. 31:34; Lk. 24:25-27; Acts 2:38).
Almighty God, have mercy on all who call upon You in faith and heal Your children who are in the grip of sin. Help us to fear You and act righteously, knowing that in every nation, those who do so are acceptable to You. Strengthen our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, and let us be witnesses of His truth and love, proclaiming the forgiveness of sins through his name. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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