Peter’s Sermon Interrupted
TRANSLATION
(34) Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I see that God shows no favoritism, (35) but in every nation accepts everyone who fears him and does what is right. (36) You know the message he sent to Israel, proclaiming good news of peace through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all. (37) You know what has taken place throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed. (38) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (39) And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross. (40) But God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to appear, (41) not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen by God, even to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (42) And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. (43) To him all the prophets bear witness that all who believe in him will receive forgiveness of their sins through his name.”
(44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message. (45) The circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles, (46) for they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said, (47) “Can anyone prevent these who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did from being baptized with water?” (48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for a few days.
OBSERVATIONS
No preacher likes to have his sermon interrupted. However, in this case, Peter recognized that it was the Holy Spirit who essentially communicated, “They’ve heard all they need to hear in order to respond in faith to the Gospel.” Proper names again predominated in this segment. We find “Peter” who led the delegation from Joppa three times (vss. 34, 44, & 46). “God” was used seven times in six verses (vss. 34, 38, 40, 41, 42, & 46). “Jesus” occurred three times, twice with “Christ” (vss. 36 & 48) and once with “of Nazareth” (vs. 38). “The Holy Spirit” is found four times (vss. 38, 44, 45, & 47). The adjective “good” was employed twice (vss. 36 & 38) while “believes/believers” is also found twice (vss. 43 & 45) as is “witnesses/witness” (vss. 41 & 43), “name” (vss. 43 & 48), and “baptizing/baptized” (vss. 47 & 48).
OUTLINE
I. Peter proclaimed the Gospel to Cornelius and those gathered at his house. (34-43)
II. When the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message, Peter was left with no choice but to baptize these Gentiles in the name of Jesus Christ. (44-48)
IDEA STATEMENT
The Holy Spirit’s falling on Cornelius and the other Gentiles gathered at his home while Peter was preaching bore clear witness to God’s will that the Gospel be proclaimed to all peoples of the world.
APPLICATION
There was no mistaking what God had done for Cornelius and the other Gentiles gathered to hear Peter’s message. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s work in all who were present gave ample testimony to Peter and those who had accompanied him that God’s will was to save all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, through the proclamation of the Gospel. While the largely Jewish church was surprised by what was taking place before their eyes, the way was now clear for the ministry of the Gospel to extend beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, to the uttermost parts of the earth. All that Peter and the believers who had come with him could do was to go ahead and baptize all who had believed.