God Shows No Partiality

GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY (Acts 10:17-35)

Every moment in the Bible is historic. This is one of those moments that shaped our history as the Gospel went beyond Israel and this is probably the last great history-shaping event before Christ comes again.

We revisit again the fact that God is sovereign over His mercy and grace. He is under no obligation to be gracious to anyone except to punish sin. And because of this, all the more we appreciate His mercy and grace extended to us Gentiles.

1. PETER LEAVES (17:23)

The fact that the 3 Gentiles (men sent by Cornelius) were wanting to talk to Peter was unusual. But the fact that he willingly invited them to be his guests and went off with them the next day tells of Peter finally making up his mind to obey.

2. PETER ARRIVES (17:24-33)

Peter, claiming that he too was only a man, rebuked Cornelius for falling down at his feet. We ought to worship God alone, and Peter was about to introduce this God to Cornelius and his company.

3. PETER PREACHES (17:34-35)

"God shows no partiality". But what about the fact that God shows partiality toward someone when He chooses to be gracious to them and not to others? Let's draw the line between being partial toward someone AND showing partiality. (See James 2:1-5)

Partiality according to James 2 is to treat people differently based on their influence, power, age, race, gender, perceived righteousness, etc. These are what seem to be the focus in Acts 10.

Yes, God is partial on the basis of His grace alone.

Aren't we grateful that He didn't show partiality to us because of what we were or what we did?

What love is this? That God loved us and saved us on the basis of His grace alone - so we cannot lose it.