Does God Have Favorites? 

     Cornelius, a Gentile centurion over some 80 Roman legionaires, was devout and God-fearing. He prayed regularly and gave to the poor.

     About three in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel told him God is aware of his prayers and generous giving. Cornelius was to send men to find a man named Simon, also called Peter, in another city. 

     The next day, while the men were approaching, Peter - unaware - went up on his roof to pray. He fell into a trance, seeing heaven opened and a sheet descending with all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles. "Get up Peter. Kill and eat." 

     Jewish Peter replied, "Surely not, Lord. I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice answered, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 

     Long-held beliefs and habits are resolute. The vision repeated two more times. 

     While he wondered about this, the visitors knocked on his door. We skip ahead: Peter entered the house of Cornelius, finding a large gathering of Gentiles inside.  

     Peter spoke: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. May I ask why you sent for me?"

     Cornelius explained: "We are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." 

     Peter: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. This is the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace (with God) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."

     (See Acts chapter 10 for Peter's complete talk.)

     While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard.

Tomorrow: Confidence in what?