Acts chapter 10

vs 37

Remember, John the Baptist was a celebrity of his time. He's such a bit player to our understanding, but vital to the whole story, and brings it some celebrity air.

vs 38

Did they really know this? Did they know about the baptism of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? Or is this an Eric-like "As you know..." to show that people don't actually know?

And well, if they didn't know, they certainly know now.

vs 39

So Peter can testify to the truth of the stuff they had heard - he was there.

vs 40

And it's good, too, because you sort of need an eye witness account to back up stories of people being raised from the dead after three days.

vs 41

What does this mean, exactly? Is Peter saying that Jesus was invisible to some people, or merely that he didn't actively appear to them? For one thing, we must assume that the teachers of the law didn't see him afterwards. So does it mean that he only appeared to the faithful, as in when they were around, rather than walking the streets of Jerusalem as normal?

vs 42

Jesus was always in a position to command things, but now that he's risen from the dead, who's going to argue? It's an interesting command, too - one that, while it is not against the teachings of the OT, doesn't fit in super- well with the understandings of the OT that most Jews held to at the time. This statement actually brings us with some currency to the beginning of the book of Acts.

vs 43

So as well as the eye witness proof, and the raising from the dead, he has the backing of OT prophecy. This is one potent person, this Jesus. Peter brings out the key point here - the forgiveness of sins through Jesus.

vs 44

Do we assume, then, that all who heard the message were saved? That all who heard the message believed it? I guess so.

vs 45

The last frontier, really. Now God is blessing Gentiles, it's all over for Judaism's classic mix of religion and ethnicity. About time too.

vs 46

The proof was in the pudding - who could argue with the receiving of the Holy Spirit if it takes place exactly in the same way that it did at Pentecost? This is fact the Gentile Pentecost - not as many saved, but a huge step for the faith.

vs 47

Peter states pretty much what I have said, and indicates that they too can accept the mark of those accepted by God in the new covenant - baptism. No cutting off of bits. I for one, as a convert later in life, am thankful.

vs 48

Baptism happened immediately, and now they want to learn more from Peter. What better does he have to do than disciple the first ever Gentile Christians? (Ethiopians excepted).