Acts 10:1 to 10:48 God shows no partiality; the good news of Jesus Christ is for people of every ethnicity, language, and culture. Discover Cornelius as a devout Roman centurion who prayed continually and gave to the poor. Understand Peter's rooftop vision showing that what God cleanses is not common or unclean. Celebrate that the Holy Spirit fell upon Gentile believers just as at Pentecost. Strict Jewish traditions forbade Jews from entering the home of a Gentile. God gave visions to both Cornelius in Caesarea and Peter in Joppa to dismantle this cultural barrier. A Vision on the Rooftop in Joppa In Caesarea lived a Roman centurion named Cornelius, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave generously to the poor, and prayed continually. An angel appeared to Cornelius in a vision, telling him to send men to Joppa to bring back Peter. Meanwhile, in Joppa, Peter went up on the roof to pray around noon and fell into a trance. He saw heaven open and something like a great sheet descending, containing all kinds of animals and birds. A voice told Peter: 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But Peter said: 'By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean.' The voice answered: 'What God has made clean, do not call common!' God Shows No Partiality While Peter was pondering what the vision meant, the Holy Spirit told him: 'Three men are looking for you. Rise and go with them without hesitation, for I have sent them.' Peter traveled to Caesarea and entered the home of Cornelius, where a large group of relatives and close friends had gathered. Peter proclaimed: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him!' The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles Peter preached the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, declaring that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word! The Jewish believers who had come with Peter were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles! Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34 to 10:35 What did the voice from heaven tell Peter during his rooftop vision? Build three tents What God has made clean, do not call common Do not travel to Caesarea Eat only fruits What God has made clean, do not call common God used the vision to show Peter that Gentile people were not unclean, but welcomed by God. What did Peter declare about God when he entered Cornelius's house? God favors only one nation Truly I understand that God shows no partiality God only accepts kings Gentiles cannot enter Truly I understand that God shows no partiality Peter recognized that God does not play favorites, but accepts people from every nation who trust in him. What miracle happened while Peter was preaching to Cornelius's household? An earthquake shook the house The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the message Chariots appeared outside The sea dried up The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the message The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentile believers just as on the apostles at Pentecost. Invite someone from a different background, neighborhood, or culture to play with you or sit with you at lunchtime this week. Lord God, thank you that you show no partiality and welcome all nations, races, and families into your kingdom. Fill our hearts with your love so we never look down on others, but share your grace with everyone. Amen. Why was it so hard for Jewish believers to imagine that Gentiles could be saved without adopting Jewish customs? How does knowing God shows no partiality change how we treat people who look or talk differently from us? Teach that the gospel shatters cultural and ethnic favoritism, uniting all believers in one Spirit. Show flags from several different nations and discuss how Jesus loves children in every single country equally. Why was the food vision about animals if it meant people? Explain that God used familiar food laws as an object lesson to teach Peter about accepting all people. 5 minutes hook, 15 minutes story, 10 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.