03/22/26 Weekly Bible Lesson: Prejudice and Discrimination

Background of Text — God uses this encounter with Peter to teach him a very important lesson: the gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for the Jews but for everyone. Peter, like many of his Jewish counterparts, believes that salvation is only for the Jews, but God will teach him a very important truth: He wants men everywhere to hear the gospel and be allowed to enjoy His grace and favor. 

Acts 10:9-10 — At about noon, Peter goes to the rooftop to pray. Why the rooftop? Most likely, it was a quiet place of solitude, an opportunity to be alone with God. No one would go to the rooftop at midday. Peter opens his heart to what God is about to teach him. He gets hungry and falls into a trance. God uses Peter’s hunger as a catalyst to share His vision with Peter. 

Acts 10:11-16 — The heavens open, and Peter sees something spectacular. There is a large object, like a great sheet that comes down from heaven, held by all four corners. A smorgasbord of food, forbidden for Jews to eat, is on it. Peter is hungry, is tempted to eat what is forbidden, and hears a voice telling him to “Get up, kill and eat.” Peter refuses, “Surely not, Lord!” He has never done anything like this in his life and isn’t going to start now. Then the voice said to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happens three times, then the sheet disappears. hasPeter isn’t convinced he should defile himself with the food God said had been made clean. 

Acts 10:17-23 — Three servants from Cornelius arrive, seeking Peter. Peter is still troubled and pondering the vision. Then the Spirit of God tells Peter not to hesitate to go with these three men. Peter is assured by the Spirit that God had sent these men to him. The first sign that Peter is beginning to change in his prejudice is that he invites these Gentiles into the home of Simon the Tanner. That was unheard of. This is a big step on the part of Peter. He allows the Holy Spirit to lead him and departs with them the next morning. 

Acts 10:24-28 — Cornelius is certainly expecting Peter. He gathers a house full of family and guests to welcome Peter. Cornelius falls before him in reverence as if Peter were the Lord himself. Peter doesn’t hesitate when he tells him to stand up. He responds that he is no different than Cornelius.  

Peter proceeds to enter his home, where all these people are gathered. Here we have seven Jews entering a household full of Gentiles. This breaks every Jewish law imaginable. There was zero association between Jews and Gentiles during this time. The Gentiles are aware of how they are hated by the Jews. They had been mistreated for years, but God had shown Peter in the vision of the sheet and all the unclean animals that he should be here at this time for a purpose. All the pride and prejudice would be dealt with on this day. Peter’s eyes would be opened to the reality that God’s mercy is available to all. No one was unholy or unclean whom God called. Peter is beginning to see what we should see—all are welcome in God’s kingdom. 

Acts 10:29-33 — Peter comes because God had revealed to him in a vision that he should go to the Gentiles. He knows God is pointing him to the people that he and other Jews had considered unclean. They are unworthy in the eyes of the Jews to be accepted by God, but Cornelius reveals that during his time of prayer, God sent a man in shining clothes. This man stood before him and told Cornelius that God heard his prayer and remembered how he took care of the poor through his gifts. This encounter is for both parties. It is to make Peter aware that God wanted all men everywhere to be saved. He wants Cornelius to know he is welcome in the family of God. Not only is Cornelius interested in what Peter had to say, but everyone who had gathered there that day is interested, too. 

Acts 10:34-35 — The message Peter and Cornelius received that day is that God desires all people, no matter their nationality or cultural background, to have salvation through Jesus Christ. Peter’s worldview has changed. His skewed view of who was to be saved is changed. He now sees that God wants all men to hear the gospel and have an opportunity to be saved. He lets go of his lifelong-held traditions and prejudices that had kept the Gospel from being spread throughout the world. 

Galatians 3:28-29 — Paul’s teaching and understanding are that in Christ Jesus, there is no distinction. Jesus is the answer to all that divides us: all the prejudice, hatred, and oppression. When we put on Christ in baptism, His life must be seen in ours. Jesus did not show favoritism. He showed no prejudice or hatred. If we belong to Christ, we are heirs of the redemptive promise made to Abraham. 

Discussion Question: What prejudices do we need to set aside?