Acts 10:31-36

God has always been concerned about the poor. Cornelius’ giving to the poor is the very thing that caught God’s attention.

How do we treat the poor? We must remember that Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of these is the same as doing it to Him. That’s why He gave us the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Cornelius’ charitable heart is what precipitated this encounter.

Peter is having a bit of an epiphany as he sees how the Holy Spirit coordinated this meeting, even though it was against “his” custom. God really isn’t concerned about our customs—He cares more about what is right. Peter’s statement, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism,” is a huge admission coming from one of God’s chosen people. We are all, in fact, chosen for His purposes. Israel was chosen by God to be the carrier of His name throughout ancient history, to preserve the historical record, and to usher in Christ, who is the Savior of the world—not just of the Jewish people. We should all be eternally grateful for their witness through time, for it is through the Jewish people that salvation came to the world through Jesus.
However, their rejection of Christ opened the door for the Gentiles.

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:11-12:

“Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.”
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The Apostle Paul goes on further to say in Ephesians 2:14-18:

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.”


One new people out of two people groups! Unfortunately, we are still trying to work that one out. We have to be willing to let go of the Old Covenant in order to embrace the New Covenant ushered in by Christ, one that is readily accepted by Cornelius, his family, and his close friends. Jesus’ promise to the disciples is finding fulfillment in Cornelius’ house.

The Gospel tears down every wall that man tries to build. Race, background, tradition, status, and custom all bow at the foot of the Cross. In Christ, there is no favoritism—only grace extended to all who believe.

Cornelius’ household reminds us that God is always pursuing hearts that are open to Him, regardless of where they come from. The question is not whether God is willing to receive people, but whether we are willing to see people the way He does.