34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Big View: Person of Peace
Small View: Preparation – Proclamation – Power
Craig Dale
Antioch Church on the Rock – Antioch CA
Observation: Peter could have had no better prepared audience for this message. Here we see Peter proclaiming the gospel and while still speaking, the power of the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Once those present had been giving the opportunity to hear the message, they responded and God sealed their faith with the gift of the Spirit.
Action: Who are the God prepared people in my life? Of those far-from-God, am I ready and willing to share the Good News? Even those that don’t look or act like me? Is this attitude an ever present reality in my life?