Acts 10: God is Impartial

Israel believes that after they received the Ten Commandments, while they journeyed in the wilderness, they brought God’s law to all the nations. Every one of them rejected the revelation of God’s ways. This is why only Israel had a relationship with God, they were the only ones willing to live God’s way. For this reason, until this point in history, recorded in the book of Acts, salvation was focused on the Jewish nation.

In Acts 10, the Lord reveals that God is impartial, He will accept anyone who worships Him and does what is right. Cornelius, a Gentile, one who was without a relationship with God, was instrumental in revealing God’s will.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. (Acts 10:1-2 ESV)

An officer of the Roman army, a non-Jew, was still a devout man. He revered God, prayed often, and was faithful to God, though he was still considered a “Gentile,” one who didn’t have a relationship with God. Despite this, he was faithful with his family, prayed regularly and continually, and gave money or food to the poor. With a heart set to do what was right, Cornelius did the best he could. When we do our best, the Lord does the rest.

About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” (Acts 10:3-6 ESV)

God sent a messenger to show that Gentiles could receive from God as well as Israel, now that Jesus had come. The angel started by acknowledging what Cornelius had done, and these were his prayers and his support for the poor. When the heart is right, the Lord sees it.

Cornelius obeyed the angel and did what he was told, sending men to Simon Peter. When we obey the Lord, He moves on our behalf. Jesus prepared the way by giving Simon Peter a vision even though he was 50 to 60 kilometers (30-35 miles) away from Cornelius.

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour (noon) to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” (Acts 10:9-14 ESV)

Israel had strict rules about what was “clean” and “unclean.” Gentiles were considered “unclean” as well as many animals. God’s people were not to associate with anything “unclean” this means not eating certain animals or staying with Gentiles. This vision and the instructions to eat these animals was in direct contrast to the established ways of God in the Old Testament.

This is the law of the beast, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and creeps on the earth and multiplies in large numbers, to make a difference (a distinction) between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten. (Leviticus 11:46-47 AMPC)

Peter had obeyed God’s rules, and now he was being told to violate them. He had a good reason to argue with the instructions. However, God is very persistent and He will have His way:

And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (Acts 10:15-16 ESV)

Three is the number that represents completion and perfection in the spirit because God is three parts: Father, Son, and Spirit, and He is perfect and complete. This means the Lord decided, and it must come to pass. It is interesting that Peter didn’t understand what God meant, but he did take time to reflect on the commandments the Lord gave to the Israelites about not eating animals considered unclean. Sometimes we won’t know exactly what a prophecy or vision means until events unfold. Much of the most detailed prophecy ever recorded, the Book of Revelation, is still not understood in its fullness today!

While Peter was still considering what the Lord brought, the men Cornelius sent were already downstairs. They explained to Peter why they were there, and they left the next day to see Cornelius.

And on the following day, they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. (Acts 10:24-27 ESV)

Cornelius was expecting them and had called relatives and close friends to hear the message that Peter was bringing. He made a very common mistake by worshipping the messenger, Peter. This is still an issue we deal with today. We should never worship those who bring us messages from God, we should worship God only. Peter was quick to correct this sin: We are to worship God alone.

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” (Luke 4:8 ESV)

When Satan was tempting Jesus, one of the temptations was to worship someone other than God. We see that Jesus refused this, as should we. Bowing on our knees to others in homage is worshiping them, this practice is not from God!

It is through willing hearts, obedient hearts, and humble hearts that the message of the Gospel can spread. We can see all these attributes in Cornelius, who was not only willing and obedient to the will of the Lord through His angel, but also was willing to receive the Good News and invited many to join him in this endeavour.

Another ingredient in receiving from God is having a humble heart. When Peter corrected Cornelius, he didn’t get offended. Cornelius was willing, humble, and obedient, and these are crucial characteristics that foster the growth of the Word of God in our lives. The Lord began to open Peter’s understanding about his vision at this time:

And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” (Acts 10:28-29 ESV)

Until this time, there was a separation between Israel and the other nations. Peter also had a heart willing to receive correction from God, and now we see his heart beginning to change. Cornelius quickly gives an account of the visitation from the angel, which brings complete understanding to Peter about the vision:

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 ESV)

God sent an angel to a Gentile! Now Peter understands that God shows no partiality among His children: He does not favor one nation or group of people over another. Instead, the Lord looks at the heart, and He welcomes anyone who fears Him and seeks to live rightly in His ways. This realization changed Peter’s attitude toward Gentiles: he no longer viewed them as outsiders, but as eligible recipients of God’s grace, regardless of their background.

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. (Deuteronomy 10:17 ESV)

Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes. (2 Chronicles 19:7 ESV)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 ESV)

The Lord God is mighty, awesome, and impartial because He is fair and just. All those who are willing to obey Him are accepted by Him. To do His will need to know His ways and walk in them. As Peter realized this, he preached to the Gentiles gathered in Cornelius house! The most amazing thing happened.

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the 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. (Acts 10:44-45 ESV)

The Holy Spirit fell upon those gathered in the house, and they began to speak in tongues, just like the disciples did on the day of Pentecost. The people who had journeyed with Peter were amazed to see how the Holy Spirit operated with the Gentiles. They witnessed that the Lord had indeed enabled them to speak in tongues as they did, and this was a testimony of the impartiality of God. Peter exclaimed:

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. (Acts 10:47-48 ESV)

Prior to this, baptism was only used by Jews and those becoming Jewish. Because the gift of the Holy Spirit made it clear they were all receiving the same from God, Peter supported baptism for the Gentiles. This was not to become Jewish, but to become part of the new church centered around the Son of God: Jesus who is the Christ.

Conclusion

Acts 10 shows us that God’s salvation through Jesus Christ is open to everyone, regardless of background or nationality. It teaches that the Lord looks at the heart, not outward differences, and He calls His people to remove barriers and to faithfully share the Gospel with everyone, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

This chapter also highlights that a willing, humble, and obedient heart—like that of Cornelius—positions a person to receive God’s truth and be used for His purposes. At the same time, Peter’s transformation shows that we need to have a willingness to let the Lord reshape our understanding, breaking down long-held ideas so we can align with His will.

Ultimately, this chapter reveals that the Holy Spirit confirms God’s acceptance of all people who are willing to fear Him and do what is right before Him, while He empowers believers to live out and spread this inclusive message of grace, knowing that the Lord God is impartial.