Exactly What Does the Apostle Peter Mean?

In Acts chapter 10 we read of the conversion of the Gentile, Cornelius, by the testimony of the Apostle Peter, who was commissioned by God to take the Gospel of his salvation, to his home. Reading Peter's words, we come across something very interesting:

"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" (verses 34-35)

These are not the words of mere man, but that of Almighty God, spoken through His servant, Peter. Cornelius, we are told, was "a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God" (verse 2). The conversion of Cornelius and his household, was the Pentecost of the Gentiles, like chapter 2 of Acts, was that of the Jews.

How do people understand the words of Peter in verses 34 and 35? It seems very clear that "WORKS" (does what is right), somehow is "acceptable" to God. However, we know that no person can ever "earn" their place in heaven, through any "good deeds" that they do, by themselves, as there is no "self-merit" in ones salvation, as it is from start to finish, "of the Lord". Because of his "good deeds", which was seen by the Lord, He arranged for the Apostle Peter to preach the Gospel for their salvation, upon hearing this, Good News, Cornelius and his household accepted the Message and gave their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. The fact that "fearing God" and doing "what is right and acceptable to Him", did indeed play a role in his and his families salvation, cannot be undermined in any way.

I do not use this passage to espouse a "works salvation", as I do not believe that this is any way taught in the entire Holy Bible.

In the Book of Jonah we read, that after the people of Nineveh heard the Gospel Message from Jonah, that the kings "arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way (repent) and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” (3:6-9)

We then read of God's response:

"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way (repented); and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" (verse 10)

It is very clear from this passage, that the "repenting" and "sorrow" of their sins, was "acceptable" to God, and when He "saw their work", not something they had "done to earn" their salvation, but their "repenting", and accepting what God had told them through Jonah, that caused God to save them!

 

Are you advocating a works salvation?

 

No, neither of them do. It is not Biblical!

 

it is also easy to misquote or take out of context!

 

You will of course note from the account in Acts 10, that God sent Peter to preach the Gospel of salvation to Cornelius, at a later time. His "good deeds" that "were acceptable" to God, were obviously not enough for him or his household to be saved by. If these were, then surely there would be no reason for Peter to tell them the Good News, in order that they might believe and be saved? Peter is very detailed in his Gospel presentation with Jesus' life, death and resurrection at its center, with verse 46 summing up what he says: "To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”, where "faith" and "repentance" are central to true Biblical conversion (see also Mark 1:15). This is what I mean that any Scripture can be taken out of its context, or viewed on its own and not in relation to the whole teaching of the Bible.

 

Totally agree! Without God taking the first step in the salvation of any sinner, it is impossible! Salvation, from start to finish is of God, Who is the "author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2) AMEN!

Ad Dei gloriam!

 

In verse 44 we read that the Holy Spirit was given to these "who heard the Word (Gospel Message)". Where "heard" also includes "believed and repented". This can be seen from the further account by Peter in chapter 11, where he says:

"And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (14-18)

 

I wonder? It appears from what he says that he believes in a "works salvation", which he is trying to show from Scripture, which I completely reject as alien to the teachings of the Holy Bible.

 

Read chapter 11...