You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by 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 he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

We are all familiar with stories where you hear a part of it, but never know the whole thing. I think of children separated and then adopted. They may have a history together or experienced part of life together, but not the whole thing. When they meet later in life, they get to catch up and fill in the gaps. There are “ah hah” moments, and clarity of situations or events typically comes to light.

Peter here starts by affirming the things they already know. 1) They know about the messages from the prophets sent to the Jews (the good news) predicting Jesus’ coming, that would bring true peace to all. 2) They know how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. 3) They know how he healed, drove out evil spirits, and did good wherever he went.

Now Peter fills in the rest of the story, and gives them an eyewitness account of what happened up close. The Jews crucified him, he rose again, and he appeared to the disciples.

And finally he ends with his calling and the good news: he is called to preach about Jesus and testify that he is Lord over all — the living and the dead. And to remind people he is also the fulfillment of the prophets in the coming Messiah. He has the power to forgive their sins and restore a right relationship with God.

This is the testimony Peter begins with in speaking to Cornelius and his family. He summarizes the good news and shares with him his mission in Christ. This is also a portrayal of trust and honor to Cornileus. He trusts him to tell him his calling, though it can involve persecution, and he honors him as a Gentile by doing this.

Peter demonstrates his repentant heart from his prejudice against the Gentiles, and welcomes Cornelius as a brother in Christ. This shows me that we are all sinners and when God calls us to do so, we must repent and reconcile so that he gets the ultimate glory!

Lord, thank you for the process you took Peter through here. He also demonstrates that he is ready to give an account of the faith he professes. More importantly, he obeys your call to repentance. Help me to be humble like Peter and readily repent when I am wrong and restore relationships I have damaged.