36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross,[c] 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public,[d] but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Acts 10:36-43 (NLT) 中文

Backdrop

Peter has arrived at the house of Cornelius the Roman army centurion, a gentile. Both had revelations from God to connect them. Cornelius has shared his part of the story. Peter told the critical gospel truth he has learned – the Gospel is for gentiles also; God determines clean and unclean (v34).

Gospel history

Peter now reviews the coming of Jesus and the Good News of salvation in Christ. He starts with John the Baptist who we know prepared the way. Then he moves to Jesus’ baptism and anointing by the Spirit, and His wonderful miraculous ministry. Then finally to their call to take this Gospel everywhere. 

And how do we know it’s all true? Peter (and the other apostles) is a first hand witness of all the events. This includes His death and resurrection. 

Gospel message

What are the aspects of this Gospel as Peter lays it out?

1. V36. There is peace with God through Jesus Christ. We are born with a sinful nature that denies God’s forgiveness through repentance and faith alone. We rebel against it in some form or fashion. So we are His enemies. 
2. V42. Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. There is a coming judgment and all will be subject to it. If we don’t have peace with God before we die, the judgment will not go well for us at all. It will result in eternal separation from God. Think about it.
3. V43. Everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name. The essence of the Good News. Repent and believe in Christ’s work on the cross for us and our sins are forgiven, we have peace with God and at the judgment, we will be exonerated due to Jesus’ sacrifice and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

RЯeflection

• Do you believe this Gospel, this Good news? Your sins are many and there is a penalty for them – separation from God for eternity in the lake of fire. But Christ died and paid the penalty in full. For more about salvation click here.
• Fellow followers of Christ, have you thought deeply about this again? Have you thanked Jesus for dying for your sins and the Father for sending His one and only Son to die for you? Let us do that now!