God of All Nations (Baptism of the Lord)

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St. Peter’s speech in our reading from the book of Acts comes on the heels of the story of how he had been told by Jesus in a vision not to call unclean what He had made clean, and of Cornelius’ subsequent visit to Peter’s home (Acts 10:1-33). In light of these events, St. Peter now seeks to convince the rest of the apostles that the Gentiles are now also being saved.

Even in Old Testament times, God had already declared that through Abraham and his seed, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, 22:18). However, that promise had been obscured by the nationalistic and anti-Gentile fervour of the Jews during Jesus’ day. Jesus told His Apostles that they would make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), and that they would be His witnesses in Judea, then Samaria, then to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The Apostles had indeed borne witness to Judea (Acts 2-5), and then to Samaria (Acts 8). Now, we see the beginnings of their witness to the ends of the earth. Later on, St. Paul would go on to preach the Gospel as far as Rome. But before that, St. Peter had to declare that God shows no favouritism but accepts from every nation those who fear Him and do what is right (vv. 34-35). Then, after concluding this speech, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and the other Gentiles, and they were baptized (vv. 44-48).

Christ has come as a light to all nations (Isaiah 42:6) and fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15) on behalf of every one of us, whether Jew or Gentile. We who are Gentile Christians give thanks that God has extended His salvation beyond Israel to the rest of the world. Let us pray that all who do not yet know Jesus as Lord and Saviour will come to know Him.

J. Luis Dizon