He
commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:42-43
Acts 10 [34.] Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.
Acts 10 [40.] God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10 [44.] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
Meaning:
These are the last words of Peter’s message in the house of Cornelius. He has told the story of Jesus: his anointing, his good works, his death “hanging him on a tree” (Acts 10:39), and his resurrection, witnessed by those “who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41). Now he says what this means for his hearers. Jesus is the Judge of all people, and he is also the one through whom sins are forgiven. Before Peter can say any more, the Holy Spirit falls on the listeners (Acts 10:44).
- “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify”
The apostles did not decide by themselves to spread the message. The risen Jesus commanded them. Luke records his words: “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:47). Peter, standing in a Gentile home in Caesarea, is carrying out that command.
- “Appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead”
Peter makes a remarkable claim about the man from Nazareth who was crucified: God has appointed him to judge all people. Jesus had said, “For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). Paul told the philosophers of Athens that God “has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained” (Acts 17:31), and he wrote of “the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:1).
“The living and the dead” means everyone, whether alive when he comes or already dead. For a Roman officer used to the authority of Caesar, this was news of a higher authority. Every person will one day stand before Jesus.
- “All the prophets testify about him”
Peter does not present Jesus as a new idea. The whole Old Testament points to him. After his resurrection, “beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). The prophets spoke of a coming forgiveness. Jeremiah promised a new covenant in which God says, “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Isaiah wrote of the servant who “was pierced for our transgressions” and by whose wounds “we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
- “Everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins”
The Judge is also the Saviour. The same Jesus who will judge offers forgiveness now, “through his name,” that is, through who he is and what he has done. The key word for this Gentile audience is “everyone.” Forgiveness is not limited to Israel. Paul quotes Scripture in the same way: “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed” (Romans 10:11). On the day of Pentecost Peter had told the crowd that the promise was “to all who are far off” (Acts 2:38); now those far off are hearing it.
The condition is faith: “everyone who believes in him.” Cornelius had prayed, fasted and given to the poor, yet Peter points him not to his own good deeds but to Jesus. Remission of sins is received through believing in him.
The Significance of Acts 10:42-43
- Both warning and welcome
The gospel holds two truths together. Jesus is the Judge before whom all will stand, and he is the one who freely forgives all who believe. The first truth gives the message its seriousness; the second gives it its joy.
- For everyone
No one is too far from God to receive forgiveness. Peter spoke these words to a Roman soldier and his friends, and while he was still speaking God confirmed them by pouring out his Spirit.
Cross-References:
Luke 24:47: “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” The command Peter obeyed.
2 Timothy 4:1: “the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom.” Christ the Judge.
Jeremiah 31:34: “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.” The prophets’ promise of forgiveness.
Romans 10:11: “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” Open to all who believe.
Conclusion: Peter ended his message by declaring that Jesus is appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead, and that all the prophets testify that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. The word “everyone” opened the door to the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house. Jesus is both the Judge of all and the Saviour of all who believe.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible