Christ Church Daily Devotion Oct 17 2023

Peter realizes that God does not show favoritism and accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. He shares the message of Jesus and how he was anointed by God, did good, and was killed but raised from the dead. Peter emphasizes that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins. As Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit comes upon all who hear the message, including Gentiles. Peter understands that God accepts all who fear Him and do what is right, regardless of their background. Jesus' commission is to spread the message of grace to the world. Peter's revelation is a turning point for humanity, as it shows that the marker among people is whether or not they know and believe in Jesus. Our way of life should reflect this truth, as God shows no favoritism. The personal worship option is to pray that all people come to know God's grace in Jesus. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for October 17th, 2023. Today we will be reading from Acts chapter 10 verses 34 through 45. 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. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses who God had already chosen, by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. When Cornelius told Peter about his vision instructing him to send for Peter, Peter replied, I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. From Acts chapter 10 verses 34 through 35. In his great commission, Jesus sent us to reach the world with the message of his grace. Matthew chapter 28 verses 18 through 20. Luke structured his story of the early church around the theme of bearing witness to the ends of the earth. In Acts chapter 1 verses 8, Peter's fresh understanding of this call to go and make disciples of all the nations now pours forth a statement that speaks of a turning point of eternal significance for all humankind. The marker among people isn't race, gender, political affiliation, or socioeconomic rank. It is whether or not a person knows and believes in Jesus and does his will. All other differences pale in comparison and become prejudicial ways of separating people into self-serving groups. Peter said, I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. This is our Father's world changing truth. Surely it must also be our way of life. Matthew chapter 5 verses 48, chapter 12 verses 50. Today's personal worship option, Precious Father, may your children live the yearning of your heart for all people to know your grace offered to them in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.