easter sunday - first reading - acts 10:34a, 37–43

6
Acts 10:34, 37- 43 Peter preaches: In the Holy Spirit, Jesus brought goodness and healing.

Upload: daniel-mayne-sr

Post on 14-Apr-2017

268 views

Category:

Spiritual


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Slide 1

Acts 10:34, 37-43 Peter preaches: In the Holy Spirit, Jesus brought goodness and healing.

1

34 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.37 what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.39 We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.40 This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible,41 not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.Catholic Lectionary. 2009. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

42 He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

Catholic Lectionary. 2009. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Peter had just come from the home of Cornelius and was impressed by the truth he had just learned there.God doesnt show any partiality toward any race, gentile or Jew.God values all humanity equally.Peter takes his place of leadership given to him by Christ in Matthew 16:19.He now picks up the keys and will unlock the door of Christianity for both the Jew and the Gentile.

This is a short, powerful and important speech given by St. Peter.It is surprising that Peter a fisherman from Galilee was able to give a brief outline of how Christ lived, died, rose from the dead, and that every one who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. (Acts 10:43)Peter clearly explains that he has witnessed all of these events.

Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament Messianic prophecies.How was this relatively uneducated fisherman able to do this so well?As Luke explains Peter had help.12:11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

In verse 39 we read, They put Him to death by hanging Him on a treeThats an interesting phrase probably chosen to clearly identify those who put Jesus to death.The Jewish method of execution was by stoning. It was the Romans and the Gentile nations who used crucifixion as punishment. By using this phrase, Peter was saying, Theres no reason for anti-Semitism, the hatred of Jews, for the killing of Christ.All men are guilty both Jew and Gentile alike.Confirmation of the work of the Holy Spirits is found in verse 44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.