So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35

Text: Acts 10:34-44

Recurrent Thought

God loves all peoples; and he generously gives His Spirit to anyone who asks so that they preach the gospel to all peoples with clarity and boldness 

Introduction

1. Our text story tells the story of God’s generous outpouring of His Spirit on the Gentiles.
2. It centers around two people: Peter, a Jew, and Cornelius, a Gentile.
   • The Spirit prepared both men for their meeting:
   • He prepared Cornelius’ faith.
   • He dealt with Peter’s prejudices.
3. This story demonstrates the great generosity of our God in three ways:

I. God shows partiality to no person or people 

1. God taught Peter this lesson very well: God taught Peter this lesson very well. He gave him a vision (10: 9-16) through whichhe concluded that God has no partiality (v. 28).
   • He gave Peter a vision (Acts 10:9-16).
   • Peter’s conclusion: “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean” (v. 28).
2. We should never forget that God loves everyone.
   • He does not favor one group over another.
   • He loves both Jews and Gentiles 
   • Ch. 10:35 Uses the word ethnos (ethne Plural) which stands for a people or people group, each of which is bound together by common customs, lineage, language and even the land of the peoples.
   • Cornelius and his household are an immediate example of People earlier prejudiced against.
   •  He loves even those who reject Him!
   • Thank God, He has generously included you and me.
3. Therefore, we who represent God should not show partiality.
   • We must love all people.
   • We must generously share the gospel with all people.

II. God pours out His Spirit on All People

1.   In our story God poured His Spirit out on all who were Present—both Jews and Gentiles.
   • Peter told them of how God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit (v. 38).
   • v. 44: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” (This included the Jewish brothers with Paul as well as the many Gentiles gathered at Cornelius’ house.)
   • The Jewish men were amazed that God had poured out the Spirit “even on the Gentiles” (v. 45)
   • They knew the Gentiles had been filled because “they heard the speaking with tongues and magnifying God.” The Coming of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by Speaking with Tongues and Magnification of God
2. We Should notice that the power of the Spirit is very practical:
   • Jesus “went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil” (v. 38).
   • Peter, who was once fearful, is now preaching with power.
   • This is according to Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8.
3. We receive this power when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit.
   • To preach the gospel to all.
   • To perform miracles, healings, and deliverances.
   • To plant churches.

III. God Commands Us To Preach To All People

1. In his sermon Peter said, 
   • “We are witnesses of everything he did” (v. 39).
   • “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead” (v. 42).
2. We are Christ’s witnesses to all people (Acts 1:8)
   • We must preach the gospel to all.
   • We must preach the gospel everywhere.
3. Because all will be judged, all must hear the truth (v. 42).
   • We do not have for ever to accomplish the task— Jesus is coming!
   • We must preach the gospel now.
   • We must go in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)

Conclusion

1. Come and be filled that you may receive power to take the gospel to the lost.
2. Our generous God will graciously pour out His Spirit on you today.