Forgiveness Through Jesus — Acts 10:34–48
Oct 21, 2026 11
Who is the good news for? Peter’s message to Cornelius is clear: forgiveness through Jesus is offered to everyone who believes.
Acts 10:39–43
[39] And 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] but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, [41] not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. [43] To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (ESV)
Cornelius was a Roman centurion who feared God, prayed, and gave generously (Acts 10:1-2). Yet he still needed to hear the good news about Jesus. So God sent Peter to tell him (Acts 10:3-8).
Peter needed God to prepare him, too. In a vision, Peter saw a sheet filled with animals that Jewish people considered unclean. God told him not to call common what he had made clean (Acts 10:9-16). Peter came to understand that the vision was about people. God was welcoming Gentiles, people from every nation, to hear about Jesus (Acts 10:28, 34-35).
Peter went to Cornelius’s home and told him about Jesus. He announced that Jesus is Lord of all, and that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness through his name (Acts 10:36-43). Forgiveness through Jesus is for everyone who believes.
That is the call: turn to Jesus and trust him. Repentance means a change in belief and behaviour, turning from our old way and trusting Christ. Even this turning is a gift from God. As Peter later explains, God granted the Gentiles repentance that leads to life (Acts 11:18).
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:44-46). The Jewish believers with Peter were amazed. God was showing them that these Gentiles, too, had received the same gift and belonged among his people. They were baptised in Jesus’ name (Acts 10:47-48).
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
The Good News is…
Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness through his name. So we don’t decide in advance who might respond. The good news is for people from every nation. Let’s share it with the people around us, trusting God to bring them to Jesus.
Like and share so others can see Jesus clearly.
Further reading: Acts 10:34-48
Reflection
Have you turned to Jesus and trusted him for forgiveness? Who might need to hear this good news from you?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited