Daily Devotions
Acts 10 and the Conversion of Peter
Reading for April 23rd: 2 Kings 6-8
Weekly reading for April 19-25: Acts 6-10
And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean."
Acts 10:28
I believe Acts 10 is as much about the conversion of Peter as it is the conversion of Cornelius. Peter had as much or more to overcome in terms of his own preconceived notions, prejudices, and even unbelief as Cornelius did in this chapter.
The way Peter was changed and grew in this chapter helps explain why God used people in the book of Acts to deliver his message. It could be argued that angels or direct guidance of the Holy Spirit would have been a more efficient and effective way. God was not helpless to save Cornelius without Peter. Peter needed the opportunity to go.
We need to understand that evangelism is not just about saving the lost, but about saving ourselves. Evangelism aids our own spiritual growth in several tangible ways:
- It helps us overcome our fears and prejudices as we talk to people who are different than us.
- It reminds us of how much God has done for us.
- It makes the story of the Gospel more real.
- It keeps our minds on the goal.
- It provides us another reason to glorify God as we see lost souls come to the Lord.
Father, give us faith-strengthening opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with others!
