If you were in an elevator with an unbeliever and the unbeliever asked you “How can I be saved?”…………what would you say? If you had 2 minutes, how would you answer that question?

Peter and the other apostles knew that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our good works or efforts. But practically speaking, up till now they also believed that to be right with God, a pagan Gentile had to become a Jew in the sense of obeying the Jewish laws regarding circumcision and ceremonial issues.

For almost 2,000 years since Abraham, salvation had been from the Jews (John 4:22) and through the Jews. A Gentile had to become a Jewish proselyte in order to know and worship God in the way that God ordained. God had promised Abraham that through his descendants, all the nations would be blessed (Gen. 12:3). But now a radical shift takes place. The door of salvation swings wide open to the Gentiles, and it does not require them first to become Jews. The wonderful truth is Everyone who believes in Christ receives God’s salvation.

And as we come to verse 34, we come to the sermon of Peter. It’s a very simple sermon. It’s the first message ever preached to the Gentiles by one of the apostles. It’s the message that opened the door of salvation to all the people of the world.

1. The Introduction. (v.34-35)                                                                

- Salvation is Not Based on National Identity or Good Works.

2. The Main Theme. (v.36-43)                                                                         

- Salvation is Based on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

3. The Conclusion. (v.44-48)                                                                               

- Salvation Results in Evidence of Faith.

Through his vision of the sheet being let down from heaven and the subsequent events, Peter has come to this radical conclusion, that God is not partial to anyone on the basis of nationality. Now God could bring Gentiles directly into a relationship with Him apart from their becoming Jews. This insight would change the history of the world.

The application for us is that people from every racial and national background are on equal footing when it comes to receiving the gospel.

 Discussion Questions

1. Why is verse 35 not teaching that good works merit God’s favor?
2. What are some illustrations you can use to show people that salvation is not by human effort or good works?
3. Why must people hear and understand the bad news before they can truly receive the good news? Should we attempt to impress it on them or should we leave it to the Holy Spirit?
4. Some say that speaking in tongues is the sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. How would you refute this biblically?