“God shows not partiality”
(Acts 10:34, NKJV)
The recorded history of Acts 10 is the final piece of evidence tabled – it is presented as a full length drama which neatly incorporates all six arguments into an extraordinary narrative.
The chapter begins with a story about an extremely God-fearing Gentile man from Caesarea, named Cornelius, who was in charge of the Italian regiment. He is visited by an angel who commands him to see to it that Simon Peter, who lives in the city of Joppe, comes to see him. Back at Joppe Peter had meanwhile climbed on the roof patio, probably looking at the ocean whilst he was praying, and had gotten very hungry and was planning to go down to have a meal when he suddenly saw a vision – the heavens opened and an object which resembled a large sheet, tied at the four edges and lowered down onto the earth. In this sheet were all the four-legged animals of the earth and the wild and crawling animals and birds of the heavens.
At this stage Peter, although thoroughly familiar with the New Covenant, was still strongly indoctrinated through and under instruction of the Old Covenant. Imagine then his surprise when God says, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” He refuses, argues with God, probably quotes Lev 11:1-17 & 20:25, Deut 14:1-29 and Ezek 4:14, but alas, without any success. With this dramatic action God illustrates in an intensely practical way how the entire Old Testament is merely a shadow of the fulfillment which had come in Jesus – all Jewish claims on ethnic privileges and land claims are also in that sheet! This is not about clean or unclean animals; it is about Jesus. It is not about religious festivals and holy days; it is about Jesus. It is not about rituals and sacrifices – it is about Jesus! The entire Old Testament is concerned with Jesus (1 Cor 10:1-11; Luke 24:27; John 1:45 & 5:46 and Acts 3:24)! The entire prophetically inspired writing of the Old Testament (2 Pet 1:19-21) points to Jesus – the WNT-translation of Rev 19:10 aptly states, “Testimony to Jesus is the spirit which underlies Prophecy.” And Yahweh, God of the Old Testament, spells it out to the fundamentalist Jew – “You must stop calling unclean what God has made clean.” (Verse 15: ISV).
It is clear how difficult it was for Peter to make this paradigm shift – the same experience happens again, twice (v16). It must have been a serious reminder to Peter of the three times which he had betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:56-61). After He had risen again Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times (John 21:15-17). God repeats a dream or vision because “the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass” (Gen 41:32). In this context the number three symbolizes the testimony that is fixed (2 Cor 13:1). While Peter is still contemplating the vision, “the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you’” (verse 19). Three men take him to Cornelius, where he explains that the theory of Jewish privileging has, in Jesus, come to an end. In verse 28 he applies the vision directly to Jewish contact with other nations and individuals (as Jesus had also demonstrated in John 4, with the Samaritan prostitute). And then Peter plays his trump card in verses 34-36 – “In truth I perceive that God snows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all.” And as final seal all the heathens who believed were baptized with the Holy Spirit (verse 45). This much is clear – with God this matter is decidedly fixed.
- Sela: What are the implications of Acts 10:34 for your life?
- Read: Deut 7; Amos 4; Ezek 33
- Memorize: Ezek 33:11
- For a deeper understanding: Read chapter 9 in Bruxy Covey’s book The end of religion.
