Acts 10:34, 37-43
Peter preaches: In the Holy
Spirit, Jesus brought goodness
and healing.
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 doesn’t 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 tree”
That’s 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,
There’s 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 Spirit’s 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.

Easter Sunday - First Reading - Acts 10:34a, 37–43

  • 1.
    Acts 10:34, 37-43 Peterpreaches: In the Holy Spirit, Jesus brought goodness and healing.
  • 2.
    34 Then Peterproceeded 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.
  • 3.
    42 He commissionedus 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.
  • 4.
    Peter had justcome from the home of Cornelius and was impressed by the truth he had just learned there. God doesn’t 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.
  • 5.
    This is ashort, 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.”
  • 6.
    In verse 39we read, “They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree” That’s 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, There’s 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 Spirit’s 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.