Wisdom Wednesday :Wisdom and Righteousness

Wisdom Wednesday Wisdom and Righteousness

Submitted by Debbie’s Dad

          Opening his mouth, Peter said:

    “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,

          but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”  (Acts 10:34–35 NASB 1995)

This significant passage occurs in the early days of the church as Peter realized that the gospel message of salvation was not only for God’s people, the Jews, but the message and invitation was open to all people. For Peter, it was a confession that he had not fully realized this before!

The context of chapter 10 is when Peter met the Roman Centurion named Cornelius, who had received a vision to bring Peter from Joppa to visit him in Caesarea (vv.1-9). As Cornelius’ messengers were on the 2-day trip from Caesarea to Joppa to find Peter, Peter had a vision (vv. 9-19) that perplexed him, but clearly indicated he was not bound by the Jewish dietary restrictions. Concurrently, the messengers arrived, and then Peter traveled back to Joppa to meet Cornelius, where Cornelius explained his vision (vv. 23-33).

Peter’s reply to all assembled is contained in the verses we look at today. Peter found a Gentile who believed and trusted in God and understood that God was showing him that believing Gentiles were not unclean and had equal access to the Gospel of salvation. So, Peter exclaimed his newfound realization:

• “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,” (v. 34)—Peter was aware of the prejudice of the Judaism culture that considered Gentiles unclean—they were not God’s chosen people. Therefore, some reasoned, they were unacceptable to God, and salvation was not open to them. God, they reasoned, was partial to His people. Now, Peter fully realized that salvation was freely offered to all.
• “… but in every nation, the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (v. 35). Here, Peter gave the most basic criteria for Jews and Gentiles alike to be welcomed by God.
  • To Fear (revere, worship) God—this is the beginning of wisdom, the core of which is to know God by faith and to receive His salvation.
  • To do what is right is to walk righteously before God in faith.

Of course, this open invitation to Gentiles to fear the Creator God and walk in righteousness was always available. Jesus, while praising the faith of another believing Gentile Roman centurion, even explained, “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt 8:11–12 ESV). These were believing Gentiles sitting with the patriarchs of Judaism!

And God’s people knew that God’s covenant promise to Abraham revealed His people would bless “all the families of the earth” (not just His people). (Genesis 1:23) the book of Jonah provided ample evidence of God specifically sending a reluctant messenger, Jonah, to invite Gentile Assyrians in Nineveh to believe and worship Him. The people of the city responded, and they believed in God (Jonah 3:5). The people and the king responded in worship (“call on God”) and repented (“turn from their wicked way” Jonah 4:8).

The invitation to worship the Almighty Creator God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is open to all. The simplest expression of the invitation, exclaimed by Peter, is to fear (revere, worship) God and then to do what is right (to walk in righteousness).