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Acts 10:36–43
“To [Jesus] all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (v. 43).
We noted in our last study that we should not take Peter’s words regarding God’s accepting those who do what is right to mean that people can merit salvation by their good works (Acts 10:34–35). This is because while good works evidence true saving faith (see James 2:14–26), our works are never in themselves perfect before we are glorified. God created us for good works, but these good works are not the basis for salvation, for the remaining presence of sin keeps our good works from being wholly pure (Rom. 7:18; Eph. 2:8–10; 1 John 1:8–9). We can please the Lord by our obedience after we have been converted to Christ, but that is because the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to us in our justification covers the defects in our works. John Calvin comments: “Although the faithful please God after regeneration with good works, and their respects of works, yet that is not done with the merit of works. For the cleanliness of works is never so exact that they can please God without pardon; yea, forasmuch as they have always some corruption mixed with them, they are worthy to be refused. Therefore, the worthiness of the works doth not cause them to be had in estimation, but faith, which borroweth that of Christ which is wanting in works.” Westminster Confession of Faith 16.5–6 makes a similar point.
God’s sending Peter to meet with Cornelius demonstrated that the Lord seeks the salvation of gentiles as well as Jews (Acts 10:1–35), but that salvation comes only as Jews and gentiles alike hear and believe the gospel (Rom. 10:5–15). So after being introduced to Cornelius, Peter proclaimed the basics of the gospel to him (Acts 10:34–43). The Apostle in today’s passage says that Cornelius and those with him had heard of what had happened in Judea (v. 37). This must mean that they had some prior familiarity with the ministry of Jesus, perhaps from news reports brought by travelers to Caesarea. Yet the gospel consists of more than just the historical facts of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection; it also includes an explanation of what those facts mean. Peter provides both in his preaching to Cornelius, noting what Jesus did and explaining that His work demonstrated that God had appointed Him to be Judge of the living and the dead. Consequently, the only way to receive forgiveness of sins is to believe in His name—to believe the facts about Jesus’ work and its significance (vv. 38–43).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Knowing the basic historical facts about Jesus is essential, but merely knowing the facts is insufficient for salvation. Saving faith also includes the interpretation that Jesus and the Apostles give of those facts—namely, that the person and work of Jesus prove that He is the Savior of the world and the only way to be reconciled to God. Accurately preaching the gospel involves proclaiming the facts of Jesus’ person and work and explaining what it all means.
For further study
- Isaiah 52:13–53:12
- Luke 24:36–49
- 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
- 1 Peter 2:24
The bible in a year
- 1 Kings 19–20
- John 2