Divine Fellowship and the Rejection of Misplaced Honor
Acts 10:23–29 (NASB95)
23So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. 29“That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”
Today’s reflection focuses on Acts 10:23–29—a key passage where divine preparation, hospitality, and the breaking down of long-held cultural barriers come vividly to life.
In these verses, we see Peter beginning his journey with his companions from Joppa and entering the household of Cornelius. Cornelius, having been directed by an angelic message, has gathered his relatives and friends in anticipation of Peter’s arrival. This gathering not only shows Cornelius’s eagerness to share God’s promise with his household but also reflects his understanding of communal support and the value of testimony. When Peter enters, Cornelius instinctively falls at his feet in homage—a gesture of reverence that, in the Jewish context, would be reserved for God alone (compare Matthew 28:17 and Mark 5:6). However, Peter quickly rebukes this act of veneration, insisting, “Stand up; I myself am only a man.” In doing so, Peter both humbly deflects the honor due only to God and prevents any ambiguity regarding divine glory. His gentle refusal underscores that while he is God’s appointed messenger, the true source of all honor and salvation remains with God, who alone cleanses and accepts all who fear Him.
This passage powerfully illustrates God’s initiative to save all who believe and to reconcile traditionally divided peoples. Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, and Peter, a representative of the Jewish faith, meet through divine orchestration—a vivid demonstration that God does not show favoritism. Instead, He breaks down the barriers established by human tradition. Peter’s willingness to cross these cultural boundaries and to welcome Cornelius and his household confirms that the Gospel of Jesus is for all people. Moreover, by coming without objection (v. 29), Peter validates that the Spirit’s movement surpasses rigid social norms, inviting unity within the Church.
This narrative challenges us to examine our own church communities and outreach practices. Just as Peter set aside preconceived notions of purity and honor to engage with Cornelius’s household, we, too, must be ready to break down the walls that separate us from those in our neighborhoods—whether those barriers are cultural, socioeconomic, or ideological. Embrace a posture of radical hospitality and be intentional in welcoming others, recognizing that God’s grace extends beyond our human constructs. Let us cultivate environments where every act of genuine fellowship affirms that the Gospel passes no one by. By doing so, we not only mirror the inclusive love of Jesus but also become powerful agents of reconciliation in a divided world.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight