The Ground Is Level at the Foot of the Cross

Critters on a Blanket
 

Here in Acts 10, the Gentile centurion Cornelius has invited the Apostle Peter to come from Joppa to Caesarea Maritima.  God gave both of these men visions reinforce the importance of their meeting.   

Pete properly understood his rooftop vision of critters on a blanket to mean that "I should not call any person common or unclean."  In other words, God Himself was throwing the door of salvation open wide to non-Jews.  This would have been absolutely unfathomable to first century Hebrews (Acts 10:1-33).

Our Impartial God

After Cornelius tells Pete about his vision, the apostle uses the opportunity to preach to those at the home in Caesarea.  He begins by stating a powerful truth.  A truth that he is still trying wrap his brain around.  "Truly, I understand that God shows no partiality" (v34).

Or as Billy Graham likes to say, the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Through Jews to Gentiles

Pete was seeing first hand that God's gracious offer of salvation wasn't limited to His chosen people.  And God was using Pete to take that Good News THROUGH Jews to Gentiles.  The Scriptures are full of passages proclaiming God's divine impartiality (Dt 10:17; 2Chr 19:7; Rom 2:11; Acts 15:9).  But only now is Pete beginning to understand exactly the scope of this truth.  

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Only One Door but Open to All

Pete's sermon is loaded with statements loved by both who see the divine sovereignty and control of God (Calvinists) as well as those see our personal responsibility and accountability to respond to His offer of grace through faith (Arminians).

This might be the best way to get a theological grip on such a slippery issue.  Almighty God has opened the door of salvation to all (how VERY inclusive!).  Yet there is only one door (how VERY exclusive!).

Your Invitation to the Party

"In every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him" (v35, emphasis mine).  Catch that? ANYONE who fears the Almighty.  Not a limited to a particular race or people group.  Anyone.  God has an invitation to His party with your name on it.  It doesn't matter who you are or where your from.  You are invited!  Don't miss the chance to RSVP to the most awesome event in all eternity!

No Limits on Forgiveness

Pete concludes this message by saying, "Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name" (v43, emphasis mine).  Again, God extends His offer of forgiveness to everyone.  It's not limited to a particular neighborhood, zip code, skin color, background or demographic.  Everyone.  Do you fall into the category of "everyone?"  Thought so.  Again, we find this all-inclusive invitation throughout the Bible (Jn 3:16-18; Rom 10:11; Gal 3:22; Acts 13:38-39).

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Marching Orders for a Message

In his sermon, Peter tells of being an eyewitness to the mission and ministry of the amazing Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth.  Jesus has extended the offer of a once-and-for-all peace treaty with God (v36).  The baptism of Jesus was actually God anointing His Son with His Spirit (v38).  This enabled Christ (i.e. "the Anointed One") to do miraculous things "because God was with Him."

The apostle describes seeing firsthand Jesus' brutal crucifixion (v39).  But he also talks about it didn't end there.  "God raised Him on the third day and made Him to appear" to those He had handpicked as witnesses (v40-41).  And Pete tells his Caesarean audience how the risen Jesus gave these witnesses marching orders to take His message of salvation and forgiveness to the entire world (v42).

Anyone and Everyone 
If you only remember two words from Pete's preaching, remember these.
-Anyone.
-Everyone.

We're all invited to God's party.  Anyone.  Everyone.  You.  Me.  Us.  Them.  Yes, even them!  The Good News is very bad news for those who think God's people will be some sort of homogenized racial society.

But there is ONLY one party.  It's only through the door of faith in Jesus and His completed work on the cross.  It's both inclusive and exclusive.  And if you accept His invitation, there's one thing you discover when you walk through the door.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

©2011
Jay Jennings