Peter’S Sermon
PETER’S SERMON
ACTS 10:34-48
What things sometimes hold us back from obeying Christ’s command to make him known?
This memorable sermon is important for a variety of good reasons:
The main point to grasp lies in the phrase “even on the Gentiles.” In an apt phrase, this has been called the Gentile Pentecost, and shows the fulfillment of what Peter had hinted at in 2:39. Work out the steps by which God prepared the church for this decisive turning-point.
The structure of the sermon is worthy of close study. Peter begins by declaring that recent events have shown that there is no “most favored nation” clause in God’s covenant with his people. The Old Testament prophets had taught the same, with a doctrine of the remnant (the faithful Israelites within the larger group of the nation) and a universalistic outlook which comprehended the Gentiles within the scope of God’s mercy and care. (There is no conflict between Israel’s election and God’s mercy to the nations; precisely through his elect people his love was intended to reach out to the Gentiles. Israel was elect for the sake of humankind.)
The terminal points of Jesus’ ministry are John’s baptism (10:37) and the witnesses to the empty tomb (10:41). He was the Messiah (10:38), marked out as God’s saving Agent in his life, death and vindication by God. The apostles are the accredited witnesses to all this (10:39,41), and the commissioned representatives of the gospel message (10:42) whose offer fulfills the promise of the Old Testament (10:43). Turn up one Old Testament promise of forgiveness, now made good in the gospel.
The effect of the preacher’s words is notable. Peter compares it to his own experience on the day of Pentecost (10:47; cf. 11:15-17). These Gentiles gave evidence by the use of “tongues” (10:46), and received Christian baptism (not administered by Peter, however, 10:48) as initiation into the visible fellowship of the church. No mention of circumcision is made.
Think over Go through Peter’s sermon again and compare it with what the Apostles’ Creed says of our Lord Jesus Christ.