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Acts 10:34-43
With thanks to page sponsor 2014:
Christ Lutheran Church, Stockton, Illinois
Pastor Susan Davenport

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
  • III.XXII.7, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • VI.8, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • VIII.LXIV, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "By the "fear of God" the Hebrews understood the whole service of God."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true religion is found, God will accept it without regarding names or sects."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "He does not confine his love to one nation; in a general, that he is loving to every man, and willeth all men should be saved."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Not, "I see there is no capricious favoritism with God," for Peter would never imagine such a thing; but (as the next clause shows), "I see that God has respect only to personal character and state in the acceptance of men, national and ecclesiastical distinctions being of no account.""
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "It has just dawned on him that Jew and Gentile are on the same footing in God's sight. Those who fear the Lord in any nation, of any race, will be accepted."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43 | Levi Holland | Post Coffee Co. A Plain Account | A Plain Account, 2017
    • "Beyond stereotypes, beyond deeply seeded religious segregation, Peter obeys his command, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. In a gesture of faith, a movement of complete trust, a posture of submission, Peter tells the story of Jesus, a story in which he knew very well."
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Matt Skinner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
    • "Nothing about Easter is routine or predictable."
  • The Truett Pulpit, Jamie McCallum, 2016.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Doug Bratt, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Jake Edwards, A Plain Account, 2016
  • "Chosen to Testify," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2016.
    • "Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the first act of God's work of making all things new. That means everything is changing. And that means we all have to change because we too have been chosen to testify to others about the new life God offers us all in Jesus Christ."
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Troy Troftgruben, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Richard Carlson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "What has changed is the scope of 'all.'"
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • "No Partiality!" Faith Element, 2014.
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Kyle Fever, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "How does the resurrection change things?"
  • "Foundations," Alan Brehm,The Waking Dreamer.
    • "I think our faith rests primarily not on miraculous events but upon who Jesus was. I think the apostles believed in Jesus because in his ministry they personally witnessed the peace and justice and freedom that God promised would come to all people. "
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Eric Barreto, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "Acts 10 narrates a significant change in Peter's own life but also a massive shift in the trajectory of the church's mission in its earliest days."
  • "A Christ for All," John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2012.
    • "It is of course highly unlikely that a preacher would not choose one of the four gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus on which to base a sermon on this of all days (!), but a good case can be made for including this grand passage from Acts 10 as a significant part of the celebration."
  • "We Are Witnesses," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2009.
    • "I would argue that we do have the same opportunity to become witnesses of what we have experienced. The power of the new life that was unleashed in this world by Jesus’ resurrection is still working to transform our hearts and lives today."
  • Commentary, Mitzi J. Smith, Acts 10:34-43, Easter A, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "God does not forgive sins based on the face."
  • "Finding a New Lead-Off Hitter," Dave Buerstetta, The Hardest Question, 2011.
    • "How am I subverting God’s subversion of exclusivity?"
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Mark Tranvik, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "Our attempts to control God and keep God safely within our predetermined categories are contradicted by the early Christian preaching about Jesus."
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, Eric Barreto, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "On the day when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, it may therefore be particularly appropriate for the church to consider how the Spirit may be moving amongst us in unexpected and challenging ways and to ask how the reverberations of the resurrection continue to be manifest around us."
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43, F. Scott Spencer, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "May we live and work in our challenging world today--still beset by overwhelming poverty, oppression, violence, death, and much that defies God's goodness and grace--in the Easter hope of Christ's resurrection and restorative justice for all."
  • Commentary, Acts 10:34-43 (Baptism A), Craig R. Koester, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "The goal is that people might be released from sin. The Greek word usually translated "forgiveness" is aphesis, which literally means "release." A pattern of sins often brings people to a point where the sins define the present and limit the future. For a person to have a different life, the sins must no longer define the person's situation."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "God Has Raised Jesus," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
    • "The one who broke the bonds of death all those years ago, has the right, power and authority to forgive us of everything we have ever, or will ever, think or do."
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Baptism of Jesus, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Luke's trim speech given to Peter ends by noting the promise of forgiveness and declaring that Jesus will be the one to judge the world. This is also part of what it meant to say, 'Jesus is Lord'."
  • "Entertaining Angels," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Hospitality," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Acts 10:34-43 / 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "What is it to 'believe in him'?"
  • "The Conversion of Cornelius," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel.
    • "Does our faith in Christ' name help us to see everyone as God's child? Do we accept others, even the 'lily and poinsettia' Catholics, as God accepts us?"
  • "The Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:36-48)" by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "While the conversion which the gospel produces may, in some ways, produce instant changes, other changes come harder and over a longer period of time."
  • "Entertaining Angels: Hospitality in Luke and Acts," Andrew Arterbury, (other resources at) "Hospitality," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
    • "In Luke?s writings the ancient practice of hospitality?the custom of welcoming travelers or strangers into one?s home and establishing relationships with them?becomes the prism through which Jesus? disciples can view one another and others as valuable children of God."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Arterbury, Andrew E., "The Ancient Custom of Hospitality, The Greek Novels, and Acts 10:1 - 11:18," Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bock, Darrell, L., "Jesus as Lord in Acts and in the Gospel Message," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bond, L. Susan, "Scripture and Theology, Acts 10:34-43," Interpretation, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Burchard, Christoph, "A Note on RHMA in Josas 17:1f; Luke 2:15, 17; Acts 10:37," Novum Testamentum, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • deVilliers, Pieter, "Exegesis and Proclamation: Acts 10:34-40," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dollar, Harold, "The Conversion of the Messenger," Missiology, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Erwin, Ed, "Between Text and Sermon: Acts 10:34-43," Interpretation, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gudorf, Christine E., "Liberation Theology's use of Scripture: A Response to First World Critics," Interpretation, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Howell, Justin R., "The Imperial Authority and Benefaction of Centurions and Acts 10.34-43: A Response to C. Kavin Rowe," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Humphrey, Edith M., "Collision of Modes? -- Vision and Determining Argument in Acts 10:1 - 11:18," Semeia, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lee, Mark, "An Evangelical Dialogue on Luke, Salvation, and Spirit Baptism," Pneuma, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lotz, Denton, "Peter's Wider Understanding of God's Will," International Review of Mission, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Matera, Frank J., "Expository Article: Acts 10:34-43," Interpretation, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Matson, David Lertis and Warren S. Brown, "Tuning the Faith: The Cornelius Story in Resonance Perspective," Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Miller, Chris A., "Did Peter's Vision in Acts 10 Pertain to Men or the Menu?" Bibliotheca Sacra, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Moessner, David P., "'The Christ Must Suffer': New Light on the Jesus -- Peter, Stephen, Paul Parallels in Luke-Acts," Novum Testamentum, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Panikkar, Raimundo, "The Crux of Christian Ecumenism: Can Universality and Chosenness Be Held Simultaneously?" Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Persaud, Winston D., "Believing in Jesus Christ in This Postmodern World," Word & World, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rowe, C. Kavin, "Luke-Acts and the Imperial Cult: A Way Through the Conundrum?" Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Scott, J. Julius, Jr., "The Cornelius Incident in the Light of Its Jewish Setting," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tomson, Peter J., "Jewish Food Laws in Early Christian Community Discourse," Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wall, Robert W., "Peter, 'Son' of Jonah: The Conversion of Cornelius in the Context of Canon," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Weise, Robert W., "Homiletical Helps on the LSB Series A - Gospels," Concordia Journal, 2005. (Section on this text begins on page 443.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wieser, Thomas, "Community - Its Unity, Diversity and Universality," Semeia, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Willson, Sanders L., "'God Does Not Show Favoritism': Acts 10," Presbyterion, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wilson, Walter T., "Urban Legends: Acts 10:1-11:18 and the Strategies of Greco-Roman Foundation Narratives," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Power for Ministry," Rev. Richard Lischer, Duke Divinity School, 2009.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2016.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2016, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
  • "Peter and Cornelius," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • Acts 10 Word Search, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
  • "Forgiven," Bob Renn, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "Peter's Confession," Fred Lane, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Acts 10:34, Acts 10:39, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Acts 10:35. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Conversion
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Acts

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