Acts 10. Peter is having quite the adventure with God! In Lydda God heals a man who was bedridden for 8 years through Peter (9:32-35), in Joppa God brings a dead woman to life through Peter (9:36-43), and now God works through Peter to bring the gift of the Holy Spirit to a group of Gentile believers in Caesarea (10:1-48).

Unless you are old enough to have lived through segregation in the United States or apartheid in South Africa, it’s probably a challenge to image how shocking it was for Jewish disciples to witness these events. “And the [Jewish] believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles… they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!?” (10:45,47)

In that day, Jews did not associate with non-Jews at all; Peter said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone of another nation…” (10:28) No friendly visits with the neighbors, no stopping in for dinner. The Jews did not mix with others at all. This is also why the Holy Spirit said specifically to Peter, “… accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” (10:20)

Cornelius fascinates me. He is a Roman (Gentile) army commander, assigned to Caesarea with his family. Typically, they would have been considered the oppressor, the enemy that the disciples were hoping Jesus was going to overthrow. But he was a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God (10:2). An angel shows up, Cornelius is terrified, and he follows the instructions obediently by sending men to Joppa to collect some guy named Peter. Cornelius is certain that something important is going to happen, so he calls together all his relatives and close friends, who are gathered when Peter arrives (10:24). They swap stories and Peter says, “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.” (10:35)

This is stunning good news for people of all nations! In Acts 1:8 the disciples were commanded to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, and now they are witnessing what that looks like. Salvation is available to people of all nations.

God is always at work, calling people to himself. God spoke to these individuals – Peter, Cornelius, Philip, and others – because they were regularly in prayer and listening to God. And, when God gave them instructions, they obeyed even if it seemed odd or questionable.

God is still at work today, calling people to himself. Are you spending time in prayer, listening to God, willing to obey His guidance even if it seems insignificant or odd? How might God use us if we were available to His leading like these men were?

Lean in, start listening for that still small voice, let’s join in the work of the kingdom!

What stood out to you in Acts 10?