Daily Devotional · Acts 10:34–35
God Does Not Show Favoritism
Reflection
"Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'" Acts 10 is one of the most theologically pivotal chapters in Acts. It required a vision, an angel, a Roman centurion, and an unexpected outpouring of the Spirit to convince the Jewish church that Gentiles could receive salvation on equal terms. Cornelius was a centurion — a Roman soldier, a representative of the occupying power, not a Jew. But he was "devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly" (v. 2). Not a proselyte, not circumcised, not Torah-observant — but genuinely seeking God. God heard his prayers and sent an angel: send for a man named Peter. At the same time, God gave Peter a vision: a sheet containing all kinds of unclean animals, with the command to kill and eat. When Peter refused (I have never eaten anything impure or unclean), the voice replied: "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." The vision happened three times. When the men from Cornelius arrived, the Spirit said: go with them, do not hesitate. Peter arrived at Cornelius's house, gathered the crowd, and said: you know it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. And then the summary: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism." The sermon was still in progress when the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard it.
Background
Acts 10 marks the pivotal boundary-crossing moment in the book of Acts. The earlier spread was from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria (Acts 1:8); Acts 10 opens the door to "the ends of the earth." The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 would later formalize what Acts 10 began: Gentiles are full members of the covenant community without requiring circumcision or Torah observance. Peter's speech here is a theological revolution as much as an evangelistic event.
Truth
God does not show favoritism based on ethnicity, social status, gender, or religious background. The one who fears Him and does what is right, from any nation, is accepted. This is not relativism — there is still a gospel to receive, a faith to have. But the access is genuinely universal. No culture, nationality, or background pre-qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Application
What is your version of the Jewish-Gentile boundary — the group or type of person you have assumed was less likely or less worthy of God's grace? Name it honestly. Then receive Peter's realization: God does not show favoritism. The Spirit fell on people Peter thought were outside the circle. Who outside your circle might God be welcoming?