The Gospel to the Gentiles

Prayer:

Thank you Father for allowing us to hear the good news about Jesus Christ

The Gospel, or Good News, had been preached mainly to the people of Israel during the ministry of Jesus. I say mainly, because there were others who did come to listen and believe, must notably the Roman Centurion. People came from far and wide. Mark lists the cities from which they came in chapter 3; “And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.” There are other notable Gentiles who are mentioned yet Jesus describes his ministry as "unto the lost sheep of Israel".

The Jews of the time knew they were something special, yet Jesus message was to the whole world, not just one nation. The Jews were to be a kingdom of priests, yet they wanted to keep the message to themselves.

All this changed in Acts chapter 10.

Peter had been in Joppa, staying with a man called Simon, when he had a dream. As a devout Jew he would have only eaten that which was acceptable in the Law. Here he had a dream where he was told to eat of all manner of creatures. There was two issues here;

1. we've just been reading in Leviticus how animals should be killed at the temple and their blood spilled in the correct place – the people weren't allowed to kill animals just anywhere they fancied
2. some of the animals may have been ritually unclean, such as pigs and other animals mentioned in the law.

Peter was told that God did not think them unclean if he had cleaned them. It was a test that Peter opted on the side of caution. He didn't understand it and I doubt we would have too under the circumstances.

The lesson was that God had called more than just one nation, but everyone. This lesson was brought home when he was asked to enter the house of a Roman Centurion. To the strict Jews this was an abomination, yet off the top of my head I don't remember anywhere in the Law where this was said.

So Peter preached to the Roman. Verse 35 says "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

To highlight God's acceptance he gave them the power of the Holy Spirit. This was a wonderful thing, showing that God loved everyone who would do his will.

Whether this was the same Centurion who Jesus commended for his faith we don't know. It may have been likely as there weren't that many Centurions, and even less who wanted to follow God, but it shows that God has prepared a place for us, that he will accept us if we try to do what they did.