Verse of the Day Devotion:  Acts 10:34 

“Opening his mouth, Peter said: I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality.” – Acts 10:34

This devotion is about an event that changed Peter’s life. He has a vision from God that helped hi understand his calling more clearly.  Peter became hungry and desired to eat, but while preparations were being made, he falls into a trance.  “and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, Get up, Peter, kill and eat!  But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Acts 10:11-14.  God gives him a vision of a large sheet descending from heaven upon which there all kinds of unclean creature.  He is then told to “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” Acts 10:13b. 

Peter, probably thinking that God may be testing him, answers.  “But Peter said, By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”  Acts 10:14.  And then, “Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” Acts 10:15.  In total, this happened three times, and after the third time the sheet ascends back into the sky. 

This was very confusing to Peter, and while he was contemplating, men sent by Cornelius arrive at the gate.  The Spirit speaks again to him.  “While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Acts 10:20.  So Peter goes down to the men and tells them he is the one they are looking for.  And then asks them the reason for their coming to him? “They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well-spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” Acts 10:22.   He then left the next day to go to Cornelius’ home.

When Peter arrives at his home, Cornelius bows before Peter and then take him to his home where many were assembled with Cornelius.  Then Peter says, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” Acts 28-29.  Cornelius then answers him.  “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Therefore, send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.”  Acts 10:30-32.  He then tells Peter that immediately after seeing this vision, he sent for him as he was told. 

Then we come to our focus verse.  “Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,” Acts 10:34.  He then follows with, ”but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. “Acts 10:35. Peter learned from this event that God shows no partiality to Jews, that in fact, all are welcome to go to God if they fear Him and do what is right. 

This is a very important lesson we also need to understand.  There are many in this world who have yet to hear the message that God loves them and desires them to come to Him and be saved.  Jesus told His disciples just prior to His ascension the following as recorded in the gospel of Mark.  “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.  There are many people that we see who have not been given the message of Christ, or they have questions or struggle to believe.  We must be willing to share the truth with anyone God leads us to.  This is our purpose and what God has called us to.  And no matter who they are, we should be willing to shine the light we have inside us so that anyone can see and share the truth of Christ to all.  Whether they are rich, poor or even homeless.  God is sending us out to share the gospel with everyone, for all need to hear it. Use wisdom, but do not shy away from anyone who needs to hear it.  We must understand what Peter learned and take it to heart.  “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,”  Acts 10:34.  And we should not show partiality either.  Everyone needs to hear and accept the good news, and He has sent us out to make it happen. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.